The Detroit Lions are hosting the Minnesota Vikings in NFL Football action on Thanksgiving. The game is scheduled for a 12:30 p.m. start time and it will be televised nationally on CBS. The NFL Odds for the game have the Lions favored to pick up the win by a close amount in this battle between old rivals.

NFL Odds
Detroit -2.5
Total: 43 points

This is a matchup of teams tied for first place in the NFC North, if Detroit is able to pick up the win they will have a stronghold on the division as they already own a victory over Minnesota. The Lions are playing solid football at this point and will look to continue that in this annual contest.

It’s no secret the Lions play every year on Turkey Day, but this season the game really has a lot of meaning. Both Detroit and Minnesota believe they can be a good team the rest of the season and winning the NFC North would certainly be an accomplishment this season despite the division being down overall.

The Lions haven’t won a division title since 1993 and now they have an opportunity to do so despite no longer having one of the best players in franchise history in Calvin Johnson. You could make the argument Matthew Stafford has played better without Megatron this season as he no longer is locked into one receiver. Stafford has completed almost 68 percent of his passes this season while throwing 18 scores and only five picks. Only one of those interceptions came at home.

Detroit has played in close games all season, they’ve actually trailed in the fourth quarter in all 10 games leading up to this point. This is a team that finally knows how to win despite not being able to consistently run the football. The Viking defense is solid, but there’s a lot at stake here for the Lions.

Free Pick: Detroit

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