NFL week 12 is already upon us and with it we get the annual Thanksgiving day slate of three NFL games so I figured why not rank the three with the Cowboys and Lions being two of the best teams in the NFC this season we get a better slate of games than we have in the past.
FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 17: Dak Prescott #4 of the Dallas Cowboys looks to pass against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium on October 17, 2021 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
3. Washington Commanders (+11.0) @ Dallas Cowboys
The first matchup I want to look at is the second game of the day the 4:30 eastern time game between the Cowboys and the Commanders. Dallas heads into their annual NFL Thanksgiving Day matchup at 7-3 playing some of their best football of the season, while the Commanders are 4-7 and seem to be coming apart especially offensively. This is the third game of the three because the Commanders are struggling and the Cowboys are at home on a short week.
I expect Dak who has been entering the MVP race as of late to be dominant again in this one and Washington struggling to keep up. In my opinion this is the perfect spot for this game as most people will either be starting to eat or already be done eating and getting ready for their afternoon nap. Prescott has been one of the best QB’s in the league this season throwing for 2,604 yards 19 touchdowns and only 6 interceptions to this point in the season. With Ceedee Lamb, Jake Ferguson and Tony Pollard, I expect the Cowboys to just over power Washington and run away with this one as people are drifting in and out of their turkey comas.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – OCTOBER 22: Quarterback Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions reacts against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 22, 2023 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
2. Green Bay Packers (+7.5) @ Detroit Lions
The second best game on Thanksgiving in my opinion is the 8-2 Detroit Lions hosting the 4-6 Green Bay Packers. Detroit has been one of the best teams in the league all season led by their high powered offense and Jared Goff. The Lions have won 3 straight coming into this game red hot with back to back late fourth quarter comebacks to win the game. Detroit hasn’t been 8-2 at Thanksgiving since John F. Kennedy was in office so the fans will be revved up and ready to go for this one in the motor city.
This isn’t a great game on a normal Sunday slate but on Thanksgiving at 12:30 this is a great spot to get the day started as family members are starting to trickle in and the kitchen is hectic, you can plop yourself on the couch and watch one of the best offenses in the NFL take on a divisional opponent that’s trying to figure out if Jordan Love is their future at quarterback. Detroit will look to continue to separate themselves from the rest of the NFC North on a short week at home and I expect them to do so with Green Bay just not having enough weapons to keep up.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – OCTOBER 16: Head coach Pete Carroll of the Seattle Seahawks and Geno Smith #7 celebrate a win against the Arizona Cardinals as they walk off the at Lumen Field on October 16, 2022 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Tom Hauck/Getty Images)
1. San Francisco 49ers (-6.5) @ Seattle Seahawks
The best game of the day by far to me is the battle for the #1 spot in the NFC West between the 7-3 49ers and the 6-4 Seahawks. San Francisco started the season on fire dominating every team in their path, being touted as Super Bowl favorites through the first few weeks of the season. However Brock Purdy stumbled after being concussed and the 49ers have shown some weaknesses at times with him leading the offense.
Seattle on the other hand has had an up and down season to this point but Pete Carroll and Geno Smith once again have the Seahawks winning games and competing for the playoffs. Geno hasn’t played at quite the level he was last year when the Seahawks were the surprise team of the season but he’s still managed to throw for 2,404 yards 12 touchdowns and 7 interceptions.
Anytime you get a divisional round matchup for the top seed this late in the season it’s going to be a good game and a stand alone game on Thanksgiving night is a perfect spot for this one as most will be waking up from their turkey naps just in time for this one. The 49ers have arguably the most talented roster in the league but Pete Carroll always has his guys ready to go so I expect the night to be capped off with a great close game as everyone is going back for leftovers or making Thanksgiving sandwiches for their late night snack.
