NFL Thanksgiving Predictions: Cowboys Defense Stuns Mahomes, Bengals Torch Ravens, Lions’ Gibbs Gets Shut Down
NFL Thanksgiving predictions: Packers shut down Jahmyr Gibbs, Cowboys pick off Patrick Mahomes, and Joe Burrow returns to dominate the Ravens with 300+ yards and three touchdowns.Patrick Mahomes interceptions
Jahmyr Gibbs rushing yards
Joe Burrow return
Cowboys defense vs Chiefs
Bengals vs Ravens preview
NFL betting Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving football comes with three American classics: family, food, and unpredictable NFL drama. This year’s holiday slate features three high-stakes matchups across divisions and conferences — and we’re making bold predictions for all of them.
Here’s what to expect as the Packers face the Lions, the Chiefs battle the Cowboys, and Joe Burrow returns for Bengals vs. Ravens.
Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook.
Prediction 1: Packers Shut Down Jahmyr Gibbs, Hold Him Under 60 Rushing Yards
Matchup: Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions
Bold Prediction: Detroit star Jahmyr Gibbs is held below 60 rushing yards.
Gibbs enters Thanksgiving as one of the NFL’s hottest players after exploding for 219 total yards and three touchdowns in Detroit’s overtime win against New York. But Green Bay offers a reality check. The Packers own the sixth-best run defense in the NFL, and they already held Gibbs to 19 yards in Week 1, his worst game in the league.
Adding to Detroit’s problems, the Lions’ offensive line is banged up:
• C Graham Glasgow is out
• RT Penei Sewell, LT Taylor Decker, and RG Tate Ratledge are all questionable
With Micah Parsons, Edgerrin Cooper, and a disciplined Green Bay front, expect Gibbs to cool off — fast.
Stat to Watch: Detroit averages 34.4 PPG when Gibbs runs for 70+ yards … and only 18.2 PPG when he doesn’t.
Prediction 2: Cowboys Pick Off Patrick Mahomes Multiple Times
Matchup: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Dallas Cowboys
Bold Prediction: Dallas intercepts Patrick Mahomes twice.
Yes, Mahomes is still the league’s best quarterback. But the narrative changes on Thanksgiving.
Dallas’ defense looked awful during the first half of the season — before reinforcements arrived. With the recent additions of Quinnen Williams and Logan Wilson, plus the return of DeMarvion Overshown and rookie CB Shavon Revel Jr., the Cowboys have transformed into an elite run-stopping unit.
Cowboys Defense with Quinnen Williams (Weeks 11–12):
CategoryRankingRush Yards Allowed1st (45.0 YPG)Total Yards Allowed7thPoints Allowed12th
With KC missing All-Pro RG Trey Smith, pass protection weakens. That means pressure. And pressure means mistakes. Expect DaRon Bland — the 2023 interceptions leader — to snag one, and another defender to join the turnover party.
Prediction 3: Joe Burrow Returns and Drops 300+ Yards, 3 TDs to Beat Ravens
Matchup: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens
Bold Prediction: Joe Burrow torches the Ravens for 300 yards and 3 TDs.
Baltimore has resembled a Super Bowl defense during their five-game winning streak, ranking first in:
• Scoring Defense
• Red Zone Defense
• Third-Down Stops
• Takeaways
Only Patrick Mahomes and C.J. Stroud have thrown three or more touchdowns against them this season. That ends on Thanksgiving.
Burrow returns from turf toe with his favorite weapon Ja’Marr Chase, fresh off a suspension and ready to prove a point. Add emerging running back Chase Brown, who has five straight 100-yard games, and Baltimore’s defense won’t have enough answers.
Burrow Statement Game Incoming.
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