The Detroit Lions play host to the Buffalo Bills on Thanksgiving Day.
It seemed hard to believe the Lions could get back into the playoff race at 1-6, but here we are.
Detroit is riding a 3-game win streak and can make a real statement with a win over Buffalo.
Oddsmakers at Michigan sportsbooks don’t like Detroit’s chances at a fourth straight win against Josh Allen and the Bills.
Detroit Lions vs. Buffalo Bills Odds
The Detroit Lions may be playing their best football right now, but that hasn’t stopped oddsmakers from listing them as nearly a double-digit underdog at home on Thursday.
Most Michigan sportsbooks have Detroit as a 9-to-9.5-point underdog against Buffalo.
The over/under total is listed at 52.5 points at most sportsbooks right now.
A large spread is somewhat surprising given the Lions have had every home game, win or lose, decided by single digits.
Thursday’s game kicks off at 12:30 p.m. and will air live on CBS.
If attending the game, be sure to know about all the events happening in Detroit that morning and road closures that could impact your travel.
Lions seek first 4-game win streak in 6 years
Detroit can snap two lengthy steaks on Thursday.
The last time the Lions won on Thanksgiving was in 2016 in a 16-13 win over the Minnesota Vikings.
The last time the Lions won four straight games was the same period, when it won five straight from Nov. 6 to Dec. 11 in 2016.
Detroit got to three straight on Sunday with a 31-18 win on the road against the New York Giants.
The Lions put on a complete game, leading by double digits throughout the second half.
Defense was a big story, forcing three turnovers and holding Saquon Barkley to just 22 yards rushing on 15 carries.
Rookies supplied the three turnovers as Aidan Hutchinson had his second interception and recovered a fumble, while Kerby Joseph had this third INT of the season.
Offensively, Jamaal Williams had three rushing touchdowns while D’Andre Swift had another.
Josh Allen rushing yards prop
The Bills have already planted themselves in Detroit.
A massive snowstorm last week that produced 80 inches of snow in Buffalo forced the Bills’ home game with Cleveland to get moved to Ford Field on Sunday. The Bills picked up a 31-23 victory over the Browns to snap a 2-game losing streak.
Despite some recent struggles, Buffalo remains the favorite to win the Super Bowl at most Michigan sportsbooks this season. Quarterback Josh Allen also is among the favorites for MVP.
Allen had a pretty tame showing in Ford Field, throwing for 197 yards with just seven rushing yards. Both were season-lows for Allen.
The Lions have had their problems with mobile quarterbacks this season and Allen fits that bill. He has rushed for 483 yards and four touchdowns this season.
Here’s what some other quarterbacks have done against the Lions on the ground in 2022:
- Daniel Jones, NYG: 50 yards, 1 TD
- Justin Fields, CHI: 147 yards, 2 TD
- Aaron Rodgers, GB: 40 yards
- Geno Smith, SEA: 49 yards, 1 TD
- Jalen Hurts, PHI: 90 yards, 1 TD
“Daniel Jones was able to rush for 50 yards against Detroit’s defense at MetLife Stadium. I would expect Bills quarterback Josh Allen to have opportunities to rush the football this week, but will not rely too heavily on his legs, since his arsenal of weapons are talented,” said John Maakaron on All Lions. I would expect Allen to rush for less than 65 yards on Thanksgiving.”
DraftKings Sportsbook MI is listing Allen’s rushing yards over/under at 42.5 yards.
Jamaal Williams anytime touchdown scorer prop
Jamaal Williams stepped into the NFL league lead in rushing touchdowns on Sunday.
The sixth-year back has 12 on the season following his three scores on Sunday.
He already has a career-high in rushing yards (668) to go along with rushing touchdowns in 2022.
The Lions have been committed to pounding in the ball on the ground. They have 15 rushing touchdowns on the season to go with 15 passing scores.
On Thursday, the Lions face a Buffalo defense that ranks eighth in the NFL against the run (106.6 ypg).
“Jamaal Williams deserves all the praise he has received for the season he is having. He is currently on his way to breaking Barry Sanders’ record for most touchdowns in a season for a Lions running back. The veteran running back added three more against the Giants and should be expected every week to score at least one touchdown,” Maakaron said. “With Detroit placing an emphasis on rushing the football, it is a safe bet this week for Williams to find the end zone at least once, if not more against the Bills.”
At home, the Lions have been pretty steady at moving the ball. Should they get near the goal line, Williams is likely to get a carry.
Currently, BetMGM Michigan is listing Williams’ odds to score at touchdown at -110 for Thursday’s game.
Jameson Williams begins practice with Lions
It appears that Jameson Williams’ debut with the Detroit Lions could be on the horizon.
The Lions announced that the No. 12 overall pick in the 2022 NFL Draft is practicing this week.
Williams has been on the reserve/non-football injury list since the season started due to a torn ACL he suffered in the 2022 College Football Playoff Championship.
Williams caught 79 passes for 1,572 yards and 15 touchdowns last season with Alabama before suffering the injury.
The Lions now have 21 days to active Williams from the roster now that they have opened up his practice window.
Last week, head coach Dan Campbell indicated that he didn’t see Williams seeing game action until after Thanksgiving.
Detroit has three consecutive games at home, starting with Thursday against the Bills. The Lions then host the Jacksonville Jaguars on Dec. 4 and the Minnesota Vikings on Dec. 11.
Other NFL Thanksgiving Day games
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys
NFC East rivals will play at 4:30 p.m. on FOX. The Cowboys are coming off a thrashing of the Minnesota Vikings, while the Giants will be looking to recover from their loss to the Lions.
Both teams are 7-3, but oddsmakers see the Cowboys as a clear favorite. Dallas has unleashed running back Tony Pollard in recent weeks, as Ezekiel Elliott has been hobbled by a knee injury.
The Giants, meanwhile, will look to get Saquon Barkley going after a very quiet game against the Lions.
New England Patriots at Minnesota Vikings
The nightcap on Thanksgiving will feature the aforementioned Vikings, who host the Patriots at 8:20 p.m. on NBC.
The Vikings are 8-2, but only a slight home favorite against the 6-4 Patriots, as the Dallas loss is certainly on the mind of oddsmakers.
Kirk Cousins’ struggles in primetime games is likely playing a part, too.
