Thanksgiving NFL Football Preview

Well, actually, you’re in luck if you subscribe to the NFL Network (or are in the local markets for Denver or Kansas City), because they’re the only ones who’ll get to view this game.

In keeping with tradition, the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys will again host games on Thanksgiving, with the Lions getting a visit from the Miami Dolphins in the early matchup, and the Cowboys playing host to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers later in the day.

VIP.com oddsmakers have the Dolphins listed as 2.5-point road favorites (with a total of 39 points) in their game, while the Cowboys are favored by 11 points (with a total of 39), and the primetime matchup currently sits as a pick’em (with a total of 38 points).

Here’s a look at each of the three matchups for this year’s Thanksgiving triple-header:

Miami Dolphins at Detroit Lions (12:30 p.m. EST, CBS, Ford Field)

The Dolphins finished strongly last season, so expectations were high for the team coming into 2006. However, Miami was brutal at the beginning of the year, and only a current three-game win streak has improved them to a more respectable 4-6 record.

The Dolphins topped the Minnesota Vikings 24-20 last weekend, and they’re now 3-7 against-the-spread in 2006. On the road, though, Miami is just 1-4 ATS this season, while they’re 2-4 ATS as the favored team and sitting .500 at 5-5 on the Over/Under.

The Lions weren’t given much of shot of being good this season, and they certainly haven’t disappointed. Detroit lost to the Arizona Cardinals 17-10 last week, and now sit tied with the Cards for the worst record in the entire league at 2-8.

Betting on the Lions hasn’t been lucrative this season either - they’re just 3-7 ATS overall. However, they’re 3-2 ATS at home, and they’re 3-5 ATS as the underdog (somehow the oddsmakers listed them as the favorite twice). The Lions’ Over/Under record is also sitting at 5-5.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Dallas Cowboys (4:15 p.m. EST, FOX, Texas Stadium)

Bruce Gradkowski had modest numbers last week (14-of-21 for 178 yards passing, two touchdowns, one interception), but he still managed to lead the Bucs to a 20-17 win over the Washington Redskins. Tampa Bay, though, isn’t exactly a team on the move this season, as they’re now just 3-7 straight-up in 2006.

Against-the-spread the Bucs are a bit better (4-5-1), but they’re just 1-3 ATS as the road team. As well, Tampa Bay is 4-4 as the underdog, and they’re 5-5 Over/Under through 10 disappointing contests.

The Cowboys are coming off a huge 21-14 win over the Indianapolis Colts, which kept them in a first-place tie in the NFC East, and knocked Indy from the ranks of the unbeaten. Tony Romo went 19-of-23 for 226 yards passing (with no touchdowns and one interception) in that victory, which improved his team’s record to 6-4 straight-up on the season, and 6-4 against-the-spread.

Dallas also has winning ATS marks at home (3-1) and as the favored team (4-3), while they’ve been kind to Over bettors at 6-3-1.

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs (8:00 p.m. EST, NFL Network, Arrowhead Stadium)

The Broncos were defeated 35-27 by the division-rival San Diego Chargers on the weekend, which dropped them into second place in the AFC West with a 7-3 record (San Diego is now 8-2).

Jake Plummer had a rough game against the Chargers, going just 13-of-28 for 183 yards, with no touchdowns and one interception.

And the Broncos have not been a great team to bet on this season - they’re just 4-6 against-the-spread (although they’re 3-2 ATS on the road in 06). Denver is 3-7 Over/Under in 10 games.

The Chiefs slipped past the Oakland Raiders 17-13 last weekend, which inched them closer to the Broncos in the division at 6-4. And Kansas City will be looking for some revenge on Thursday night, as they were beaten 9-6 by the Broncos earlier in the year (in an obviously riveting contest).

Trent Green returned against Oakland, going 9-of-16 for 102 yards (with no touchdowns and no interceptions), while Larry Johnson ran for 154 yards and two TDs. The Chiefs are 5-5 ATS so far, 3-2 ATS at home, and 5-5 OU.

For all NFL betting picks, please visit VIP.com

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