NFL Thanksgiving Day Preview: Schedule, fantasy football advice, betting tips and matchups to watch

2T4FXCT Detroit Lions quarterback Jared Goff throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Las Vegas Raiders, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

• Take the Lions at -7.5: The Lions took care of business on the road against the Packers in their previous meeting, and their offense has only improved since. Jordan Love could have some success against Detroit's pass defense, but take the Lions to score 30-plus and cover at home.

• 49ers WR Deebo Samuel in for a breakout? In his career against Seattle, Samuel has averaged 125.3 yards from scrimmage per game. In a short week, dealing with Samuel's physicality will be difficult. Make sure to get Samuel into your lineup.

Since returning from his injury, Samuel has been held in check. But he loves playing the Seahawks. In his career against Seattle, Samuel has averaged 125.3 yards from scrimmage per game. In a short week, dealing with Samuel's physicality will be difficult. Make sure to get Samuel into your lineup.

• Get ahead of the game: PFF's Best Bets Tool uses PFF data to uncover the biggest edges in the betting market. Click here to see the best bets for this week.

Estimated reading time: 10 minutes

WR:CB Matchup Chart

Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions (-7.5)

12:30 p.m. EST (Fox)
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Packers RT Zach Tom vs. Lions EDGE Aidan Hutchinson

Hutchinson made the game-winning play last week, stripping Justin Fields for the sack and the safety. He’ll have a tougher matchup in Week 12 with Zach Tom, who has quietly developed into one of the best right tackles in the NFL.

Hutchinson's 89.8 pass-rush grade ranks sixth among 115 qualifying players at the position, while Tom's 74.4 pass-blocking grade is good for 25th among 85 qualifiers.

FANTASY BREAKOUT: Packers RB A.J. Dillon

With Aaron Jones out of the lineup for Week 12, Dillon will be the feature back for the Packers. While this isn't a stellar matchup, he is a must-start, given his potential volume and touchdown upside.

BEST BET: Lions -7.5

The Lions took care of business on the road against the Packers in their previous meeting, and their offense has only improved since. Jordan Love could have some success against Detroit's pass defense, but take the Lions to score 30-plus and cover at home.

PFF's Best Bets Tool uses PFF data to uncover the biggest edges in the betting market. Click here to see the best bets for this week.

Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys (-11)

4:30 p.m. EST (CBS)
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Cowboys RG Zack Martin vs. Commanders DT Daron Payne

We've seen this battle several times over the last few years, but this time, it sets up well for Payne. Martin has struggled with quickness the previous few weeks, as it's clear that he is not 100% healthy. Payne is one of the best run-stopping defensive tackles in the league and should do well in this matchup.

Martin has earned a 71.9 overall grade through 11 weeks, which would be a career-low mark if it doesn't improve over the remainder of the season. His 69.5 run-blocking grade ranks 14th among 84 qualifying guards.

Payne has accumulated 24 run stops across 217 run-defense snaps, good for an 11.3% run-stop percentage that ranks 16th among 142 qualifying players at his position.

FANTASY BREAKOUT: Commanders WR Terry McLaurin

McLaurin has struggled against the Cowboys in his career, averaging 53 yards per game. But he's mostly had problems with Trevon Diggs, who can match his speed and size. Without Diggs in the lineup, McLaurin should see a lot of matchups against Stephon Gilmore. It’s still a tough matchup, but this one favors McLaurin.

BEST BET: Commanders +11

The Cowboys are 1-11 against the spread in their last 12 games on Thanksgiving. And with this spread being so big, it only makes sense to take the Commanders here, especially given their passing attack. The Cowboys should win, but an 11-point spread for an NFC East game is far too big.  

PFF's Best Bets Tool uses PFF data to uncover the biggest edges in the betting market. Click here to see the best bets for this week.

San Francisco 49ers (-6.5) vs. Seattle Seahawks

8:20 p.m. EST (NBC)
MATCHUP TO WATCH: Seahawks RT Jason Peters vs. 49ers EDGE Nick Bosa

This is a brutal matchup for the Seattle Seahawks, with the soon-to-be 42-year-old Jason Peters being matched against the 2022 Defensive Player of The Year. Bosa has started to find his rhythm over the last few weeks, and this could be a massive game for him in prime time.

Week Jason Peters: Pass-blocking grade Nick Bosa: Pass-rush grade
8 36.0 75.5
9 47.7 BYE
10 80.8 93.6
11 61.7 84.1
FANTASY BREAKOUT: 49ers WR Deebo Samuel

Since returning from his injury, Samuel has been held in check. But he loves playing the Seahawks. In his career against Seattle, Samuel has averaged 125.3 yards from scrimmage per game. In a short week, dealing with Samuel's physicality will be difficult. Make sure to get Samuel into your lineup.

BEST BET: 49ers -6.5

The 49ers are back and are now facing the banged-up Seahawks team that could be without several starters on offense. Seattle doesn’t have the horses up front to stop San Franciso's offense, and this should be another game where the 49ers score 30-plus points. Take the 49ers to win and cover on Thursday Night Football.

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