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NFL

1:00 PM EST

Rotation # 305-306

Packers/Lions Under 48.5 (loss)

Offensive Line issues have crept up fast on the Detroit Lions that it has gotten so bad they announced Frank Ragnow is coming out of retirement and should join the team next week. Detroit has a competent offense, but when an offensive line has issues, you will run into penalties and protection mishaps that slow down even the best offenses. It doesn’t help that tight end Sam Laporta is on IR, and now backup tight end Brock Wright will miss today’s game with a neck injury. The Packers have their own problems at receiver. Jayden Reed is still on IR, and Christian Watson is slowly working his way back each week, but far from 100 percent. Multiple receivers are on the injury list with their status in question. Tight end Tucker Kraft, going down with a knee injury, was a huge blow. Running back Josh Jacobs is not at full strength with a knee issue. It doesn’t mean there won’t be defensive or crazy special teams scores that make it a high-scoring contest, because you can’t predict that kind of stuff, but from a pure offensive flow, I don’t see either team being anywhere near full power for four quarters. It might be a Thanksgiving game, but it’s a Thursday, and both teams just played days ago. Look for a lower-scoring game and hope there is no quick strike defensive funny business! Take the Under.

NFL

4:30 PM EST

Rotation # 307

Chiefs -3.5 over Cowboys (loss)

At this point in the season, I trust the Chiefs’ defense a lot more than Dallas. It doesn’t help Cowboys QB Dak Prescott that left tackle Tyler Guyton will not participate this afternoon. Kansas City will look to make life difficult for the QB by not allowing him time to throw. Kansas City is already a top unit against the run. Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes hasn’t looked anything more than average this season, but he has a chance to have a big game going against a bad pass defense. Dallas is nursing a few injuries on their defensive line, so it’s a perfect opportunity for the Chiefs’ offensive line to have a clean game. Both teams are looking to load up for big passing plays. The Dallas secondary, already below average this season, has a few players on the injury report. Look for Andy Reid to exploit a few matchups. The Kansas City coaching staff is much better than the Cowboys’ first-year staff and is worthy of being road favorites. Take the Chiefs.

NFL

8:20 PM EST

Rotation # 310

Ravens -7 over Bengals (loss)

Ravens/Bengals Over 51.5 (loss)

It would take multiple mountains to move for the Cincinnati Bengals to make the playoffs, so you question their decision to bring QB Joe Burrow back from injury because they are not going to make the playoffs. Ja’Marr Chase returns from a one-game suspension, which is perfect timing as Tee Higgins will miss tonight’s contest. The Ravens are a few seasons removed from having an all-world secondary and, in fact, have been well below average the last few seasons. It doesn’t help that Baltimore is missing a few key players on their front seven, either. Burrows will be able to make a few connections to get his team on the board. The problem the Bengals have is that their defense is the worst in the league at stopping the run and the pass. A lot of times, a team will be “good” in one category simply because opposing offenses pick on their weakness. To be worst in both categories truly is as bad as it gets. The Ravens did not play well against the Jets last weekend and should get back on track today with a big home win. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has the luxury of not seeing Trey Hendrickson trying to run him down, as he will miss tonight’s contest with a hip injury. I don’t see Cincinnati getting pressure on the QB, and if they do, it’s nothing Jackson can’t elude. The winds in the Baltimore area will slowly diminish as kickoff approaches. The Ravens should dominate. Take the Ravens. Take the Over. No Parlays.