NFL: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

Turkey Day is here, which means so is a slate of NFL games; the extra helping offers ample opportunity for a cornucopia of wagers. In accordance with tradition, the Detroit Lions play on Thanksgiving, and this year, they will take on their division opponent Green Bay Packers.

In recent memory, Detroit has struggled to win on Turkey Day, posting a 6-17 record since the turn of the century, including a loss to the Buffalo Bills last season. That said, Detroit enters this matchup with an 8-2 record, the second-best record in all the NFC.

The Packers have been a mixed bag in their first season without Aaron Rodgers running the show under center. At 4-6, there have been some growing pains with QB Jordan Love while the rest of the roster has gone through its ups and downs. Detroit beat Green Bay 34-20 in the season’s first matchup.

This does not appear to be the same old Detroit Lions team. The Lions have been a complete football team, starting with their opening night victory against the defending champion Kansas City Chiefs. Their lone loss is to quality opponents in the Seattle Seahawks and Baltimore Ravens this season. Detroit is currently riding a three-game win streak, including a 31-26 comeback victory against the Chicago Bears. This team is playing well right now and looks capable of beating any team across the NFL landscape. The Lions offense is one of the best units in the NFL, averaging just under 400 yards per game, which is good for the second most across the league, while racking up 27.2 points per game, which is good for sixth. On the flip side, Green Bay is a middle-of-the-pack team on defense, ranking 17th and 10th in YPG and PPG on average. This game sets up nicely for the Lions offense, which features several dynamic playmakers like Amon Ra St. Brown, Sam La Porta, Jahmyr Gibbs, and David Montgomery. Green Bay has been pretty banged up, with 16 players currently listed on the injury report.

If recent memory indicates how this game plays out, look towards the underdog here. Less than a week ago, the Lions opened as a -9.5 favorite before quickly being bet down to -7.5 for their matchup against the Bears. Detroit wound up winning the game; however, it was a bit of a sweat that required the Bears’ ineptitude to come out for the Lions to come through.

Green Bay has yet to be favored by over 4.0 points this season, and it’s a short-week, divisional game with a pretty standard total of 47. Detroit is the better team on paper and amongst the public, yet Green Bay may still manage to put up a fight. The Packers’ defense has been better of late, and while Detroit is the second-best team in the conference, they have some flaws in their game, which could provide Green Bay an opportunity to keep this game within the number.

Steve Quinne’s Pick: Green Bay +7.5 (-110)

Everybody and their momma are in love with the Detroit Lions this season. While Green Bay may not be the sexy team we are accustomed to, they are the team to back in this Turkey Day matchup. Yes, Detroit is a good team, but we just saw what happens when they overlook an opponent. Division games are always something to keep track of with the familiarity on both sides of the ball, especially in a short week. There are just too many factors at play here to lay the points with the Lions, so let’s go with the flow and back the Packers to keep this game within the number.

CFB: Ohio State at Michigan

For the first time in five years, Michigan is favored over Ohio State in one of college football’s greatest rivalries. And this time around, it’s ever-so-important. Both teams are currently inside the CFP Top-4, so the outcome will surely have major implications for both teams and likely a school outside the Top-4. Furthermore, the margin between these two teams appears to be razor thin, as the voters and bettors are not in total agreement.

When the line opened, Michigan has been as much as a 6.5-point favorite. Currently, it’s sitting at -3.5, but more movement could take place.

Despite the fact that Jim Harbaugh won’t be on the sidelines, serving the final game of a three-game suspension for the alleged sign-stealing scheme, observers of the Wolverines seem unphased. Clearly, his assistants and players have his back – as evidenced by Michigan’s monster road win over No. 11 Penn State two weeks ago when emotions were at their highest. Last week’s 31-24 win over Maryland was less impressive, but still kept the Wolverines undefeated for this weekend’s showdown.

Ohio State rolls into town on the heels of a 37-3 thumping of Minnesota – who, for what it’s worth, was whipped by Michigan 52-20 earlier in the season – and likely insulted by the fact that the Buckeyes are ranked higher but getting little to no respect for it.

Then again, all the drama can be tossed right out the window, as this is a game that will be played by the country’s best two defenses. It’s quite possible one big play could determine who heads to the Big Ten championship game versus Iowa.

Bud Parmalee’s Pick: Ohio State M/L +145

For the record, take the under, as it’s set at an embarrassingly realistic 46.5, as if it were an NFL playoff game. But it’s not, it’s just that both defenses are that good. But that’s not my bet here. I’m taking the Buckeye’s to put an end to the saga that surrounds Michigan. Two weeks ago, the slogan “Michigan Against Everyone” became very prominent. Too prominent, in fact. There’s a lot of truth to that, and while Michigan is playing the “us against the world” card, the world – including everyone associated with college football – doesn’t want this messy situation impacting this year’s CFP final polls. Call me a conspiracy theorist but look for the Buckeyes to settle the score and end the Harbaugh shenanigans.