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This Thursday, the Detroit Lions will be showcased on national television as it is Thanksgiving week. The upcoming game will feature the Texans versus the Lions.
Can the Lions recover from their worst performance this season and bounce back quickly? They have a Thursday game at 12:30 p.m. ET on CBS, where they will be hosting the struggling Houston Texans.
Thursday’s clash sees the Lions as the underdog despite having one more victory.
Texans vs. Lions odds: Houston holds the edge
Despite having a worse overall record and a weaker away performance, the Texans (3-7, 1-4 away) are expected to be the favored team by oddsmakers as they prepare to face the Lions (4-6, 1-3 home) in Detroit.
As of noon ET on Thursday, Nov. 26, the Texans are considered the frontrunners with a slight advantage, being widely regarded as a 2.5-point favorite on the road. (Odds last modified at this time.)
| Texans at Lions Week 11 odds | BetMGM | DraftKings | FanDuel | PointsBet | William Hill |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Point spread (-110 juice unless noted) |
HOU -3 -115 DET +3 -106 |
HOU -3 -105 DET +3 -115 |
HOU -3 DET +3 |
HOU -3 DET +3 |
HOU -3 DET +3 |
| Moneyline | HOU -176 DET +145 |
HOU -155 DET +135 |
HOU -164 DET +138 |
HOU -165 DET +140 |
HOU -160 DET +140 |
| Total points (-110 juice unless noted) |
O 51.5 -106 U 51.5 -115 |
O 51.5 U 51.5 |
O 52 U 52 |
O 52 U 52 |
O 52 U 52 |
Most sportsbooks offer the Texans at -130 odds on the moneyline, whereas the Lions are typically listed at +110.
The sportsbook has set the over/under at either 50.5 or 51 points.
The line at DraftKings Sportsbook had been adjusted to 3 points by Tuesday morning. This particular number holds significant importance in NFL betting, as it represents the most frequently occurring margin of victory in the league.
As of Wednesday, the line had been raised to 3 by all five sportsbooks we were monitoring.
FYI: NFL betting options limited during the shutdown
Due to the ongoing pandemic order that will remain in effect until at least December 8th, Michigan sports bettors are facing increased difficulty in placing wagers on Thursday’s game.
Greektown Casino, MGM Grand Detroit, and MotorCity Casino in Detroit were forced to shut down by the order, leading to a similar decision by several tribal casinos.
Last week, Bay Mills made the decision to shut down its operations, whereas Kewadin Casinos closed down all their casino establishments situated in Christmas, Hessel, Manistique, Sault Ste. Marie, and St. Ignace.
Due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases, many casinos that are remaining open have chosen to implement more stringent safety protocols, in addition to the ones that have closed down.
As of November 23, here are the locations in Michigan where you can place your bets on the NFL.
- Turtle Creek (William Hill)
- The casino known as Leelanau Sands, operated by William Hill.
- The casino establishments known as Four Winds can be found in Dowagiac, Hartford, and New Buffalo (Kambi).
- Gun Lake Casino (Parx)
- FireKeepers Casino (Sci Games)
- BetAmerica (Island Resort & Casino)
- The Fox Bet is a casino located in Petoskey and Mackinaw City, known as Odawa Casino.
Stay updated on the progress of online betting in Michigan, with current estimates pointing towards a launch in mid-to-late December.
Texans on a hot streak against Detroit
Alright, let’s return to the Thanksgiving match-up between the Texans and Lions. Throughout their respective histories, these two teams have only faced each other on four occasions.
In 2004, the Lions claimed victory in their initial encounter, defeating the Texans by a score of 28-16. However, in the subsequent three matches, the Texans emerged as winners.
Among those three wins, the Lions secured a thrilling Thanksgiving Day triumph in 2012, prevailing 34-31 in overtime. Additionally, the Lions have successfully covered the spread in two out of the three losses they have faced.
It is unsurprising that the public betting favors the Texans in this game, with Houston receiving 71% of the wagers as the favored team against Detroit.
Lions show no fight in epic loss at Carolina
Out of the many poor performances displayed by the Detroit Lions throughout the years, their showing on Sunday must be regarded as one of the absolute worst.
Despite the absence of starting QB Teddy Bridgewater and star running back Christian McCaffrey, the Panthers managed to defeat Detroit with an impressive 20-0 victory.
XFL sensation P.J. Walker was permitted by the Lions to amass 258 yards and score a touchdown through his throws.
Matt Patricia’s recent defeat has significantly increased the pressure on him, considering his overall record of 13-28-1 during his tenure in Detroit.
Matthew Stafford experienced a shutout for the first time in his professional career on Sunday. Additionally, the Lions’ offense only managed to accumulate a mere 185 total yards.
Stafford’s passing performance was less impressive, as he completed only 18 out of 33 attempts for 178 yards. His ability to throw downfield was hindered by a torn ligament on his thumb, resulting in a decrease in the team’s deep passing plays.
Due to D’Andre Swift’s absence from the game due to concussion protocol, the Detroit Lions lacked a running game. They managed to accumulate a mere 40 rushing yards from 17 carries.
After sitting out Sunday’s game, Detroit is optimistic that both Swift and top receiver Kenny Golladay (hip) will be ready to play on Thursday.
Can Detroit overcome Houston’s passing attack?
On Sunday, the Houston Texans secured an impressive victory against the New England Patriots with a score of 27-20, marking their finest win of the 2020 NFL Season. This triumph represents their second win in three games and their first against a team other than the Jacksonville Jaguars.
Since terminating coach Bill O’Brien following an abysmal 0-4 start, the Texans have displayed a renewed sense of vitality.
The contest on Sunday was a remarkable display of offense, as the two teams collectively accumulated a staggering 834 yards.
In one of his most impressive performances this season, Deshaun Watson showcased his skills by amassing 344 yards and two touchdowns, completing 28 of his 37 passes. Not only that, but Watson also emerged as Houston’s top rusher, gaining 36 yards and scoring a touchdown.
Houston’s passing attack, which stands at eighth place in the NFL with an average of 274.3 yards per game, will present a challenge for Detroit. Nevertheless, the Lions’ weak run defense still possesses the capability to halt Houston’s ground game.
With a mere average of 84.6 yards per game, the Texans currently hold the 31st spot in rushing amongst all NFL teams. Unfortunately, their leading rusher, David Johnson, has been absent for the past two weeks due to a concussion. As a result, he was placed on the injured reserve list following Week 9.
Even though JJ Watt has been relatively silent this season, his performance in Sunday’s victory demonstrated his ability to make a significant impact with four pass deflections.
Watt spearheads the Houston defense, which sits at the 31st spot in the NFL rankings by allowing 27.2 points and 411.7 yards per game. Surprisingly, their run defense is even weaker than Detroit’s. The Texans concede an alarming 159.3 yards per game on the ground, marking the worst in the league. Should Swift be fit to play, it presents a promising opportunity for the rookie to have a significant impact.
On Thanksgiving Day, we will discover what surprises await us in the Texans vs. Lions game.
