The Week 12 NFL schedule for the 2023 season begins with three nice Thanksgiving Day matchups, and now we have you coated with what it is advisable to know. Our NFL Nation reporters carry us the largest keys to each sport and a daring prediction for every matchup.
Moreover, ESPN Stats & Data gives an enormous stat to know and a betting nugget for every sport, and our Soccer Energy Index (FPI) goes contained in the numbers with a sport projection. Analytics author Seth Walder picks out every matchup’s greatest X issue, and fantasy analyst Eric Moody fingers out useful fantasy soccer intel. Lastly, Walder and Moody give us remaining rating picks for all three video games. All the pieces you wish to know is right here in a single spot that will help you prepare for a loaded Thursday afternoon of NFL soccer.
Soar to a matchup:
GB-DET | WSH-DAL | SF-SEA
12:30 p.m. ET | FOX | Unfold: DET -7.5 (46.5)
Storyline to look at: In Detroit, Thanksgiving and soccer go hand and hand like peanut butter and jelly, going all the best way again to when the Lions hosted their first-ever Thanksgiving Day sport in 1934. However they have not had a ton of success not too long ago — they have not received on Thanksgiving since 2016. Now the Packers will roll into city to attempt to dim the Lions’ hype practice, having received two of their previous three video games. However Inexperienced Bay has misplaced 4 in a row to the Lions for its second-longest streak within the franchise’s historical past. — Eric Woodyard
Daring prediction: The Lions is not going to decide off Packers quarterback Jordan Love. They obtained him twice within the Week 4 assembly, and so they’ve had interceptions in two of their previous three video games. Love hasn’t had consecutive video games with out an interception since Weeks 1-2, however that would change. He did not throw any Sunday in opposition to the Chargers in what was maybe his sharpest outing of the season. Search for him to maintain that momentum rolling in opposition to Detroit, which is tied for seventeenth within the NFL with eight defensive interceptions. — Rob Demovsky
Stat to know: Lions quarterback Jared Goff has discovered loads of success in opposition to the Packers, posting a 5-1 regular-season document in opposition to Inexperienced Bay. That is tied for the third-best win share by a beginning QB in opposition to the Packers since 1950, trailing solely Jim McMahon and Bobby Layne.
Matchup X issue: Packers cornerback Keisean Nixon. He is Inexperienced Bay’s slot nook, which implies he’ll draw loads of receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown and tight finish Sam LaPorta. These are the 2 most necessary pass-catchers to cease if the Packers are going to gradual the Lions’ passing offense. — Walder
Accidents: Packers | Lions
What to know for fantasy: Jayden Reed leads all Packers extensive receivers in receiving yards (463) and scored a 32-yard speeding landing in opposition to the Chargers on Sunday. With operating again Aaron Jones coping with a knee harm, Reed might tackle a Deebo Samuel-like position for the Packers. He ranks among the many prime 20 extensive receivers with 3.1 fantasy factors per contact. See Week 12 rankings. — Moody
Betting nugget: The Lions are 11-1 in opposition to the unfold (ATS) of their previous 12 division video games. Learn extra.
Moody’s decide: Lions 34, Packers 21
Walder’s decide: Lions 30, Packers 20
FPI prediction: DET, 64% (by a mean of 4.8 factors)
Thanksgiving Day throwback: That is the primary Packers-Lions matchup on Thanksgiving Day since 2013, however these NFC North foes are not any strangers to assembly on Turkey Day. It is going to be the twenty second time Detroit and Inexperienced Bay have met on Thanksgiving Day, essentially the most by any two franchises all time. The Lions maintain a 12-8-1 edge within the earlier 21 matchups. Learn extra.
Matchup must-reads: Love made a press release in Packers’ win over Chargers … Williams lastly feeling ‘a part of the herd’ in Detroit
4:30 p.m. ET | CBS | Unfold: DAL -11 (48.5)
Storyline to look at: The Cowboys have received 4 of their previous 5 and the Commanders have misplaced 4 of their previous 5. Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott has a 9-2 document in opposition to Washington with 19 landing passes and 4 interceptions, and he has crushed the Commanders twice on Thanksgiving (2016, 2018) whereas throwing three landing passes and nil picks. Toss in that he leads the NFL in QBR since Week 4 (76.6), and Prescott is primed to maintain his scorching streak rolling. However needless to say he’s additionally 3-3 on the vacation with 9 landing throws and 5 interceptions over his profession. — Todd Archer
Daring prediction: Dallas receiver CeeDee Lamb can have three positive factors for 20-plus yards en path to a 140-yard, two-TD day in opposition to Washington. The Commanders’ protection is tied for the NFL’s most move performs of 20 yards or extra allowed (43), whereas the Cowboys’ offense ranks fifth in gaining 20-plus yards by the air (41 completions). And Lamb leads the NFL with 22 such receptions. — John Keim
Stat to know: Commanders quarterback Sam Howell has been sacked a league-high 51 occasions this season. Extra dangerous information for Washington? The Cowboys have generated strain on a league-high 39% of opponent dropbacks.
Matchup X issue: Cowboys cornerback DaRon Bland. He is tied for the NFL document with 4 pick-sixes and is now going in opposition to the considerably erratic Howell. This — and Dallas’ Week 18 sport in opposition to Washington — are most likely Bland’s finest possibilities to interrupt the document. — Walder
Accidents: Commanders | Cowboys
What to know for fantasy: The Commanders’ protection provides up the third-most fantasy factors per sport to extensive receivers. In six video games in opposition to the Commanders, Lamb has averaged seven targets and 11.7 fantasy factors. It is extremely possible that Lamb will exceed these per-game averages on Thanksgiving. See Week 12 rankings. — Moody
Betting nugget: For the reason that 1970 merger, the Cowboys are 12-0 outright and 9-3 ATS as double-digit favorites on Thanksgiving. Nonetheless, the Commanders are 6-1 ATS as underdogs this season, together with 5-0 ATS as street underdogs. Learn extra.
0:44
Can Sam Howell be trusted in fantasy in opposition to the Cowboys?
Eric Moody has Sam Howell as a low-end QB1 in fantasy this week, regardless of his robust matchup in opposition to the Cowboys.
Moody’s decide: Cowboys 34, Commanders 31
Walder’s decide: Cowboys 34, Commanders 20
FPI prediction: DAL, 85.1% (by a mean of 13.9 factors)
Thanksgiving Day throwback: In 1974, backup quarterback Clint Longley entered for an injured Roger Staubach with the Cowboys trailing Washington 16-3. Longley rallied Dallas to a victory, finishing 11 passes for 203 yards. He capped the comeback with a 50-yard landing move to Drew Pearson with 28 seconds left, and the additional level kick gave the Cowboys a 24-23 victory. Learn extra.
Matchup must-reads: Reeling Commanders face hardest stretch after Giants loss … After routing Panthers, Cowboys’ focus turns to Commanders
8:20 p.m. ET | NBC | Unfold: SF -7 (43.5)
Storyline to look at: Even at full energy, the Seahawks would have their fingers full in opposition to a superior 49ers group that beat them thrice final season by a mixed rating of 89-43. This sport grew to become even tougher when quarterback Geno Smith and operating again Kenneth Walker III suffered accidents on Sunday. Pete Carroll is optimistic that Smith can play by his triceps contusion, however Walker’s standing is extra up within the air after he suffered an indirect pressure and did not play previous the opening collection. Seattle would flip to rookie second-round decide Zach Charbonnet because the RB1 in Walker’s absence (and Drew Lock below middle if Smith cannot go). — Brady Henderson
Daring prediction: Niners defensive finish Nick Bosa can have the third three-sack sport of his profession. Seattle has been compelled to make use of a rotating forged of offensive linemen due to accidents, and although they’re getting more healthy, Bosa and San Francisco’s defensive position has discovered a rhythm since Chase Younger’s arrival just a few weeks in the past. On a brief week with some well being uncertainty on the Seahawks’ offense, this might be the week a few of Bosa’s many pressures (27 this season) flip into sacks. — Nick Wagoner
Stat to know: San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy has thrown three landing passes in every of his previous two video games. The final 49ers participant with three or extra passing TDs in three consecutive video games was Jeff Garcia in 2001. Oh, and Purdy is 5-0 with 9 landing passes and nil interceptions in opposition to division opponents in his profession, together with playoffs.
Matchup X issue: Seahawks linebacker Bobby Wagner. He ranks fourth in run cease win charge (41.5%) as a linebacker, and no group has the next designed run charge this season than the 49ers. — Walder
Accidents: 49ers | Seahawks
What to know for fantasy: The 49ers are closely favored on the street in opposition to a Seahawks group that provides up the fifth-most fantasy factors per sport to operating backs, which units up Christian McCaffrey for an enormous efficiency. However tight finish George Kittle might additionally submit massive numbers. He has accrued 13 receptions, 274 receiving yards and two touchdowns in his previous two visits to Seattle. See Week 12 rankings. — Moody
Betting nugget: The 49ers are 7-0-1 ATS in division video games this season — however are 1-4 ATS of their previous 5 video games general. Learn extra.
Moody’s decide: 49ers 35, Seahawks 17
Walder’s decide: 49ers 26, Seahawks 23
FPI prediction: SF, 73.2% (by a mean of 8.3 factors)
Thanksgiving Day throwback: The Seahawks and 49ers met on Thanksgiving in 2014, with the Seahawks successful 19-3. Operating again Marshawn Lynch took 20 carries for 104 yards, and cornerback Richard Sherman hauled in two interceptions. Learn extra.
Matchup must-reads: Three-game stretch might outline 49ers’ playoff future … Carroll believes Smith to play Thursday … Hufanga has torn ACL
