NFL Thanksgiving Matchups: Odds and Storylines
The NFL's Thanksgiving lineup features games with significant playoff implications, including matchups between the Packers and Rams, Bears and Lions, Eagles and Cowboys, and Chiefs and Bills, each marked by strong rivalries and critical team challenges.
The NFL has announced its Thanksgiving holiday slate, and the games carry serious implications. Here's what's on the board at FanDuel Sportsbook as of May 14.
Nov. 25 — Thanksgiving Eve
Packers @ Rams
- Spread: Rams -3.5
- Moneyline: Rams -198, Packers +164
- Over/Under: 49.5
The Rams are favored after a 12-5 season that ended just one win short of the Super Bowl—a loss to Seattle in the NFC Championship. They've bolstered their secondary with cornerback Trent McDuffie and enter the year as championship picks. The Packers finished 9-7-1 in the NFC North and fell to Chicago in the wild-card round.
Nov. 26 — Thanksgiving Day
Bears @ Lions
- Spread: Lions -2.5
- Moneyline: Lions -126, Bears +108
- Over/Under: 53.5
The story here: Detroit swept Chicago last season despite finishing last in the NFC North at 9-8 and missing the playoffs. The Bears won the division at 11-6 but couldn't hold serve. The Lions dominated the first matchup 52-21 and closed the regular season with a 19-16 victory. This is a classic NFC North grudge match.
Eagles @ Cowboys
- Spread: Cowboys -1.5
- Moneyline: Cowboys -116, Eagles -102
- Over/Under: 49.5
The NFL's biggest rivalry is a toss-up on paper. Philadelphia and Dallas split last season's regular-season series, with the Eagles outscoring the Cowboys 45-44 across two games. Dallas collapsed to 7-9-1 and missed the playoffs entirely, finishing second in the NFC East. The Eagles (11-6) won the division as defending champs but lost in the wild card to San Francisco.
Chiefs @ Bills
- Spread: Bills -2.5
- Moneyline: Bills -142, Chiefs +120
- Over/Under: 50.5
This matchup hinges on one critical question: Can Patrick Mahomes return to form? The Kansas City quarterback tore his ACL late last season, and his status for Thanksgiving remains uncertain. The Chiefs limped to 6-11 and missed the playoffs for the first time in years. The Bills (12-5) lost a heartbreaker to Denver in the divisional round. Josh Allen is 5-1 against Mahomes in regular-season play.
