Week 13 of the NFL season delivers a mix of holiday tradition and modern twists, including the increasingly popular Black Friday showdown.
The action kicks off with a classic rivalry as the Chicago Bears travel to face the Detroit Lions. In Dallas, the Cowboys host the Giants in their customary Thanksgiving clash. The evening wraps up with the Miami Dolphins braving the cold at Lambeau Field for a primetime matchup against the Green Bay Packers.
On Black Friday, the Kansas City Chiefs aim to snag a victory from their AFC West foes, the Las Vegas Raiders.
Sunday’s marquee matchup features a potential Super Bowl preview when the Philadelphia Eagles head to Baltimore to take on the Ravens.
The San Francisco 49ers face a tough test in their push for a playoff spot as they visit the Buffalo Bills in Orchard Park. Monday night, the Cleveland Browns, fresh off extra rest and a snowy win, take on the Denver Broncos in the Mile High City.
With no teams on a bye, it’s a full slate of games to enjoy this week so let’s try and find some value in the NFL Vegas odds.
What? NFL 2024 Season Week 13
Where? USA
When? Thursday, November 27 – Monday, December 2, 2024
The Detroit Lions and Chicago Bears head into their Thanksgiving showdown at Ford Field on completely different trajectories.
Detroit is riding high as one of the league’s hottest teams. They share the NFL’s best record with the Kansas City Chiefs. The Lions secured their ninth straight win in Week 12 with a dominant 24-6 victory over the Indianapolis Colts, solidifying their position atop the NFC North.
In stark contrast, the Bears are spiraling. After a promising 3-2 start, Chicago has dropped five consecutive games. This included tough losses to the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings in recent weeks. Anchored at the bottom of the NFC North, the Bears are poised to miss the postseason once again.
This Thanksgiving marks the 20th holiday matchup between these two teams. The Bears hold an 11-8 edge in the all-time series and have taken the last three Turkey Day contests. Detroit’s most recent Thanksgiving win against Chicago came back in 2014. This is set to change this year. Lions to win and cover the spread.
Detroit Lions -10.5Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions
Philadelphia started the season with a rough 2-2 stretch, securing wins over the Packers and Saints but struggling elsewhere. However, the Eagles have found their stride, going on a seven-game win streak that includes victories over the Browns, Giants, Bengals, Jaguars, Cowboys, Commanders, and Rams.
In their most recent win, a 37-20 triumph over the Rams, the Eagles led 13-7 at halftime and dominated the second half with a 24-13 performance. Quarterback Jalen Hurts threw for 179 yards and a touchdown. Saquon Barkley was the star, rushing 26 times for 255 yards and two touchdowns.
On the Ravens’ side, their season began with two losses, but they then went on a strong run, beating the Cowboys, Bills, Bengals, Commanders, and Buccaneers. After a 2-2 stretch, with losses to the Browns and Steelers and wins over the Broncos and Bengals, they faced the Chargers on Monday. Baltimore held a slim lead heading into the fourth quarter and closed out the game with a 13-7 run to win 30-23. Lamar Jackson threw for 177 yards, two touchdowns, and added a rushing score. Derrick Henry led the ground game with 140 yards on 24 carries.
Philly has been rolling lately. They’ve been putting up impressive offensive numbers, including 481 total yards (314 of which were rushing) and 24 first downs in their win over LA. They averaged 7.1 yards per play and went 9-of-15 on third downs. Their defense held the Rams to zero conversions on eight third-down attempts. The Eagles have scored 26 or more points in six straight games. Three of those went for 34 or more. More impressively, their defense has allowed 20 or fewer points in six of the last seven games. This should be an exciting game, but Philadelphia looks to be in great form.
Philadelphia Eagles +2.5Philadelphia Eagles vs. Baltimore Ravens
The 49ers are facing a familiar scenario, echoing their 2020 season after another Super Bowl loss to the Chiefs. Injuries have been a persistent issue, with key players sidelined across all areas—offense, defense, and special teams. The Buffalo Bills, however, have no sympathy, as they are also in pursuit of the Chiefs. After a bye week, Josh Allen will look to keep his momentum going, while the Bills’ defense is likely to dominate against a shorthanded, road-weary 49ers offense that will rely almost entirely on Christian McCaffrey to make any noise in the passing game. Buffalo to win and cover the spread.
Buffalo Bills -7San Francisco 49ers vs. Buffalo Bills
Starting out in the betting industry, Henry later found his calling in sports writing. Specializing in soccer, golf, and darts, he also offers insights into a wide array of sports across the globe. After earning a BA Honors degree in Business and Management, Henry advanced through the ranks at William Hill in England. His career isn't just limited to sports; he's also made a mark in Property and Finance, fields in which he remains engaged. Henry now resides in Barcelona, where he enjoys playing golf year-round as part of the Real Federacion Espanola de Golf.