NFL Thanksgiving Day: Gobble! 3 games, 2 close ... 1 upset? Our picks for the holiday tripleheader

NFL WEEK 12

GREG COTE’S THANKSGIVING DAY PICKS

The NFL’s Thanksgiving Day tradition enters its 90th year on Thursday, having played every year on the holiday since 1934 except during World War II. It became a doubleheader in 1966 and a tripleheader in 2006, so the football on Thanksgiving now lasts almost as long as your eating and drinking. The NFL started calling the day a “John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration” last year after its beloved former coach and broadcaster, so raise a gigantic turkey leg in his honor.

PACKERS (4-6) at LIONS (8-2)

Line: DET by 7 1/2.

Cote’s pick: DET, 24-20.

TV: 12:30 p.m. Thursday, Fox.

I’ll be a whirling dervish in a beehive kitchen as the early game kicks off, preparing myriad dishes and readying the family-famous Greg’s Deep-Fried Cajun Bird as the oil heats up. Detroit is the granddaddy of the holiday, hosting its 84th Bird Day game. Green Bay is making its 37th appearance and first since 2015, tying Chicago for third most. The Lions have lost six in a row on Thanksgiving, but this is a different Motown team, favored on the holiday for the first time since 2016 and also on a 7-0 streak in division games and a 4-1 run vs. the rival Packers. Pack QB Jordan Love is coming off his best game, but with RB Aaron Jones likely out injured the pressure on him will be greater. Then again, Detroit’s defense has been spanked for 119 points through the past four games. Like Lions at home with little doubt, but lean Gee Bees to stay inside the betting number.

COMMANDERS (4-7) at COWBOYS (7-3)

Line: DAL by 10 1/2.

Cote’s pick: DAL, 31-13.

TV: 4:30 p.m. Thursday, CBS.

Our crowd of a dozen or so family is likely to be mid-banquet as the middle game starts, the sound of cutlery on plates and animated chatter filling the holiday air. Dallas is hosting its 56th Thanksgiving game (second to Detroit) and Washington is playing in its 13th, last in 2020. The Cowboys ride a 12-game home winning streak into the holiday, along with runs of 12-3 in the division and 10-4 vs. the Commanders. Cannot picture a Washington team that just lost to the Giants giving Dallas much of a threat. Comms QB Sam Howell is coming off a three-pick game and should struggle again vs. a really good Boys defense — especially against the pass. And Dak Prescott should feast concurrent with my Bird Day guests against a Washington defense that ranks 29th in most yards allowed, 30th in most passing yards and 32nd (last) in most points.

49ERS (7-3) at SEAHAWKS (6-4)

Line: SF by 6 1/2.

Cote’s pick: SF, 23-16.

TV: 8:20 p.m. Thursday, NBC.

The nightcap of the day’s tripleheader better be a good one to keep my attention because sleep-inducing tryptophan courtesy two helpings of turkey and perhaps a Miller Lite or three may have me drowsy by now. It’s a fresh-feel Bird Day matchup, with San Fran (in throwback uniforms) in only its sixth holiday game and first since 2014, and Seattle in only its fifth and first since way-back 1980. Is there an upset in the night air? Seahawks enjoy a 15-5 run over the rival Niners and have won 10 of past 12 at home in the series. And SF losing All-Pro safety Talanoa Hufanga for the season is a big blow. The 49ers’ defense is still mighty though, and Frans have won nine straight division games. Plus this: ‘Hawks QB Geno Smith may be limited from an elbow injury if he plays, and an oblique injury very likely will shelve RB1 Kenneth Walker.

[Note: Betting lines courtesy Caesars Sportsbook as of midday Tuesday. Picks for remainder of Week 12 games will appear online Wednesday and in print Friday] .