Three games are on the docket for Thanksgiving Day, and The Linebacker is offering up free picks for each one! The Bears vs Lions will kick off the day, with Chicago currently listed as 4.5-point favorites. The afternoon contest takes place in Dallas, where the Cowboys will host the Colt McCoy-led Redskins. Dallas is currently a 7-point home favorite. The nightcap will take place in New Orleans, where Drew Brees and company will welcome Matt Ryan and the Falcons. The Saints put their nine-game win streak on the line, and are currently listed as 13-point favorites. Check out which side we’re taking in each game below.
The Linebacker subscribers have had plenty of reasons to be thankful this fall, having already profited $5,900 this football season (avg $100 bettor). As a special Thanksgiving offer, The Linebacker is offering 50% off the first month off your subscription. Head over to thelinebacker.com to sign up, and use promo code ‘TURKEY’ to receive the discount.
Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions (DET +4.5, O/U 45)
The Linebacker predicts the Bears will win by a score of 24.6 - 18.3, giving us a slight edge on Chicago. We suggest a wager of $39 on CHI -4.5 for a $100 average bettor.
How to bet the total in Bears @ Lions:
The Linebacker projects a final score of 24.6 - 18.3 in favor of the Bears. With 42.9 projected points and an OVER/UNDER of 45, we have a slight play on the UNDER. The Linebacker suggests a wager of $30 on UNDER 45 for a $100 average bettor.
Need-to-know stats for Bears @ Lions:
- 86.1 rushing yards - Detroit projects to record just 86.1 rushing yards against Chicago. The Bears have the top-rated run defense in the NFL, allowing 77.8 yards per game and a league-low 3.5 yards per carry. Chicago has surrendered just two rushing touchdowns all season, while the next-closest team has allowed five.
- 6 catches, 67.1 yards, 0.37 TDs - Kenny Golladay is the lone starting pass catcher remaining from the beginning of the season now that Golden Tate is in Philly and Marvin Jones is sidelined with a knee injury. Golladay should be the clear-cut No. 1 option for Stafford this Thursday, projecting to catch six balls for 67 yards.
- Spreading the wealth - The Bears’ passing game has revolved around a committee approach for the pass catchers, and that formula should stick on Thursday. Taylor Gabriel (3 catches, 38.9 yards), Trey Burton (3, 41.7), Allen Robinson (4, 60.1), Tarik Cohen (3, 37.0) and Anthony Miller (3, 43.4) all project to catch at least three balls.
Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys (DAL -7.5, O/U 40.5)
The Linebacker predicts the Cowboys will win by a score of 23.8 - 14.9, giving us a slight edge on Dallas. We suggest a wager of $41 on DAL -7.5 for a $100 average bettor.
How to bet the total in Redskins @ Cowboys:
The Linebacker projects a final score of 23.8 - 14.9 in favor of the Cowboys. With 38.7 projected points and an OVER/UNDER of 40.5, we have a slight play on the UNDER. The Linebacker suggests a wager of $29 on UNDER 40.5 for a $100 average bettor.
Need-to-know stats for Redskins @ Cowboys:
- 265.1 total yards - Washington should struggle to move the ball on Thursday. Their offense projects to register only 265.1 total yards, breaking down to 180.6 passing and 85.5 rushing yards. Dallas ranks eighth in total defense and third in scoring defense, making this a tough test for backup QB Colt McCoy.
- 4 catches, 35.5 yards, 0.21 TDs - Jordan Reed has the highest projections among Washington pass catchers. The sixth-year tight end recorded a season high in catches and yards in Week 10, including a nine-yard TD reception from McCoy. It was Reed’s first touchdown since Week 1.
- 20 carries, 104 yards, 0.65 TDs
4 catches, 39.7 yards, 0.22 TDs - Ezekiel Elliott has been tearing opponents apart recently, amassing 388 total yards on 55 touches (7.05 ypt) in his last two games. We expect he’ll find a similar workload on Thursday, projecting him for 24 touches and over 140 total yards. There’s also a good chance Zeke reaches the end zone for the third straight game, as he averages 0.65 rushing TDs per game in our simulations.
Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints (NO -13.5, O/U 61)
The Linebacker predicts the Saints will win by a score of 35.6 - 26.7, giving us a solid edge on Atlanta. We suggest a wager of $122 on ATL +13.5 for a $100 average bettor.
How to bet the total in Falcons @ Saints:
The Linebacker projects a final score of 35.6 - 26.7 in favor of the Saints. With 62.3 projected points and an OVER/UNDER of 61, we have a slight play on the OVER. The Linebacker suggests a wager of $19 on OVER 61 for a $100 average bettor.
Need-to-know stats for Falcons @ Saints:
- 501.5 total yards - The Saints offense should have no issues moving the ball against Atlanta. New Orleans projects to finish with 332.5 passing yards and 169 rushing yards. Sean Payton’s offense ranks fourth in yards per game (427.1) and first in scoring (37.8 ppg).
- 25-31, 332.5 yards, 1.87 TDs - Drew Brees should have another extremely efficient outing, projecting to complete 80.6 percent of his passes. The Linebacker projects he’ll easily clear 300 yards, and has a solid chance to throw multiple TDs. Brees averaged 1.87 passing TDs per game in our simulations.
- 24-36, 306.7 yards, 1.71 TDs - Matt Ryan’s numbers aren’t quite as large or efficient as Brees’, but the former MVP still projects to clear the 300-yard threshold. With Atlanta likely playing from behind, Ryan will need to air it out consistently.
- 7 catches, 101.3 yards, 0.36 TDs - Julio Jones should be the primary beneficiary of a heavy pass attack for the Falcons. Julio projects to catch seven balls for over 100 yards, and is looking to score a touchdown in his fourth straight game. He has a good chance to reach pay dirt, averaging .36 TDs per game in our simulations.
Happy Thanksgiving from The Linebacker! Make sure to head over to thelinebacker.com to sign up, and use promo code ‘TURKEY’ to receive a 50% discount on your first month.
