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On Thanksgiving Day, the Buffalo Bills will be visiting the Detroit Lions for a game.
At 1-6, it appeared unlikely for the Lions to make a comeback in the playoff race. However, against all odds, here we are.
With a 3-game win streak, Detroit has the opportunity to make a significant statement by defeating Buffalo.
The chances of Detroit securing a fourth consecutive victory against Josh Allen and the Bills are not favored by oddsmakers at Michigan sportsbooks.
Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills Odds
Despite playing their best football currently, the Detroit Lions are still considered as an underdog at home on Thursday, with oddsmakers predicting them to be nearly a double-digit underdog.
Buffalo is favored by 9 to 9.5 points against Detroit in most Michigan sportsbooks.
Currently, most sportsbooks have set the over/under total at 52.5 points.
Despite the fact that the Lions have had every home game, whether they win or lose, decided by single digits, it is somewhat surprising to see such a large spread.
The game on Thursday will start at 12:30 p.m. and will be broadcasted live on CBS.
Make sure to be informed about the events taking place in Detroit that morning and any road closures that might affect your travel if you plan on attending the game.
Lions seek first 4-game win streak in 6 years
On Thursday, Detroit has the potential to break two long streaks.
The most recent Thanksgiving victory of the Lions dates back to 2016, when they secured a triumphant 16-13 win against the Minnesota Vikings.
The Lions achieved a four-game winning streak during the same timeframe as their five-game winning streak from November 6 to December 11, 2016.
On Sunday, Detroit achieved a remarkable feat by securing their third consecutive victory with a remarkable 31-18 win away from home against the New York Giants.
Throughout the second half, the Lions maintained a commanding lead, showcasing an outstanding performance in all aspects of the game.
The defense made a significant impact by generating three turnovers and limiting Saquon Barkley to a mere 22 yards rushing on 15 carries.
Aidan Hutchinson, with his second interception and fumble recovery, and Kerby Joseph, with his third interception of the season, were responsible for the three turnovers made by the rookies.
Jamaal Williams impressively scored three rushing touchdowns, with D’Andre Swift adding one more to the team’s offensive triumph.
Josh Allen rushing yards prop
The Bills have already established themselves in Detroit.
The Bills’ home game against Cleveland was relocated to Ford Field on Sunday due to a colossal snowstorm that dumped 80 inches of snow in Buffalo last week. Breaking a 2-game losing streak, the Bills emerged victorious with a score of 31-23 against the Browns.
Buffalo continues to be the frontrunner for winning the Super Bowl at numerous Michigan sportsbooks this season, despite facing a few recent challenges. Additionally, quarterback Josh Allen is considered one of the top contenders for the MVP title.
Allen’s performance in Ford Field was rather subdued, as he threw for a mere 197 yards and only gained seven yards rushing. These numbers marked his lowest of the season.
This season, the Lions have encountered challenges when facing mobile quarterbacks, and Allen perfectly fits that description. So far, he has accumulated 483 rushing yards and four touchdowns.
This is how other quarterbacks have performed against the Lions on the ground in 2022:
- Daniel Jones of the NYG recorded a touchdown and gained 50 yards.
- In the game, Justin Fields from the Chicago Bears threw for 147 yards and scored 2 touchdowns.
- Aaron Rodgers from the Green Bay Packers gained a total of 40 yards.
- Geno Smith of the Seattle Seahawks recorded 49 yards and scored one touchdown.
- Jalen Hurts of the Philadelphia Eagles threw for 90 yards and scored 1 touchdown.
According to John Maakaron on All Lions, Daniel Jones achieved a rushing distance of 50 yards against Detroit’s defense at MetLife Stadium. He anticipates that Josh Allen, the quarterback for the Bills, will also have chances to rush this week. However, Maakaron believes that Allen will not heavily depend on his legs due to the talented options in his offensive lineup. As a result, he predicts that Allen’s rushing yards on Thanksgiving will likely be below 65.
DraftKings Sportsbook MI has set the over/under for Allen’s rushing yards at 42.5 yards.
Jamaal Williams anytime touchdown scorer prop
On Sunday, Jamaal Williams claimed the top spot in the NFL for rushing touchdowns.
After his three touchdowns on Sunday, the sixth-year running back now has a total of 12 for the season.
In 2022, he has achieved a career-high in rushing yards (668) and has also scored multiple rushing touchdowns.
Throughout the season, the Lions have shown unwavering dedication to ground attacks, amassing an impressive count of 15 rushing touchdowns. In parallel, their aerial offense has also flourished, matching the rushing touchdowns with an equal tally of 15 passing scores.
The Lions will be up against the Buffalo defense this Thursday, which holds the eighth spot in the NFL for their strong performance against the run, allowing only 106.6 yards per game.
According to Maakaron, Jamaal Williams has been outstanding this season and deserves all the recognition he has received. He is on track to surpass Barry Sanders’ record for the most touchdowns in a season by a Lions running back. In the recent game against the Giants, the experienced running back scored three additional touchdowns. Therefore, it is reasonable to expect Williams to score at least one touchdown every week. Given Detroit’s focus on rushing the football, it is highly likely that Williams will find the end zone at least once, if not multiple times, in the upcoming game against the Bills.
When playing at home, the Lions have consistently moved the ball effectively. If they approach the goal line, it’s highly probable that Williams will be entrusted with a carry.
As of now, BetMGM Michigan has set the odds for Williams to score a touchdown in Thursday’s game at -110.
Jameson Williams begins practice with Lions
It seems likely that Jameson Williams’ first appearance with the Detroit Lions could be approaching.
This week, the Lions made an announcement stating that the player chosen as the No. 12 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft will be participating in practice.
Since the commencement of the season, Williams has been placed on the reserve/non-football injury list as a result of a torn ACL he sustained during the 2022 College Football Playoff Championship.
Before his injury, Williams had an impressive record at Alabama last season, with 79 receptions for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns.
After opening up his practice window, the Lions have granted Williams 21 days to be activated from the roster.
Head coach Dan Campbell suggested last week that Williams would not be participating in any games until after Thanksgiving.
Beginning on Thursday against the Bills, Detroit will enjoy a three-game home streak, followed by hosting the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 4 and the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 11.
Other NFL Thanksgiving Day games
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys
The NFC East rivals are scheduled to compete at 4:30 p.m. on FOX. The Cowboys are riding high after a dominant victory over the Minnesota Vikings, while the Giants are eager to bounce back from their defeat against the Lions.
Despite both teams having a 7-3 record, the oddsmakers have designated the Cowboys as the undeniable frontrunners. Lately, Dallas has been relying on the impressive performances of running back Tony Pollard, given that Ezekiel Elliott has been hindered by a knee injury.
After a rather uneventful game against the Lions, the Giants will now focus on getting Saquon Barkley back into the action.
New England Patriots at Minnesota Vikings
The Thanksgiving night game will showcase the Vikings, as mentioned earlier, as they welcome the Patriots at 8:20 p.m. on NBC.
Despite the Vikings’ impressive 8-2 record, oddsmakers consider them only a marginal favorite at home against the 6-4 Patriots. This slight favoritism may be influenced by the recent Dallas loss, which has left a mark on the minds of those setting the odds.
Kirk Cousins’ struggles in games played during prime time are likely contributing to the issue as well.
