Thanksgiving is synonymous with family, food, and football. But what if the NFL games you're eagerly anticipating deliver some shocking surprises? Forget predictable outcomes; we're diving into bold predictions that could turn your Turkey Day upside down! Get ready for some controversial takes that might make you spill your cranberry sauce.
First up, we have the traditional Thanksgiving Day opener, a clash between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions – the most played matchup in NFL Thanksgiving history. Then, the afternoon brings a heavyweight bout between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys, two of the league's most recognizable franchises. And to cap off the day, we're treated to an AFC North rivalry game featuring Joe Burrow's Cincinnati Bengals against Lamar Jackson's Baltimore Ravens. But what if the expected storylines get completely flipped?
Here are some bold predictions that might just come true on Thanksgiving:
(Note: All odds are provided by FanDuel Sportsbook. Remember to bet responsibly!)
1. Packers Ground Lions' Running Back Jahmyr Gibbs: Under 60 Rushing Yards
Jahmyr Gibbs is coming off a monster performance, earning him NFC Offensive Player of the Week honors. He exploded for 219 rushing yards and two touchdowns on just 15 carries, averaging a ridiculous 14.6 yards per carry, in the Lions' recent overtime victory. He also added 45 receiving yards and a touchdown on 11 catches. The game-winning score was an impressive 69-yard touchdown run on the first play of overtime.
But here's where it gets controversial... Despite Gibbs' recent dominance, the Packers defense could shut him down, limiting him to under 60 rushing yards. He's been held under that mark four times this season, including a Week 1 performance against Green Bay where he only managed 19 yards on nine carries. This was his worst game as an NFL starter.
While Cowboys owner Jerry Jones may claim that All-Pro Micah Parsons isn't a great run defender, the Cowboys' defense is actually ranked sixth against the run in the league, allowing just 96.5 rushing yards per game in 2025. Furthermore, the Lions' offensive line is banged up. Starting center Graham Glasgow is out with a knee injury, and left tackle Taylor Decker, right tackle Penei Sewell, and right guard Tate Ratledge are all questionable with various ailments. Parsons, explosive linebacker Edgerrin Cooper, and the rest of the Packers defense should be able to contain Gibbs and secure a season sweep against the back-to-back NFC North champions. Will the Lions' offensive line hold up enough to give Gibbs room to run, or will the Packers dominate the trenches?
2. Cowboys Defense Rattles Patrick Mahomes with Multiple Interceptions
Patrick Mahomes is widely considered the best quarterback in the NFL, a three-time Super Bowl MVP. But the Dallas Cowboys defense could make him look surprisingly human on Thanksgiving. Yes, the Cowboys' defense has struggled this season, ranking near the bottom of the league in scoring defense (28.5 points allowed per game). But and this is the part most people miss... A closer look at their recent performance reveals a unit that's been drastically improved.
The Cowboys have recently added All-Pro defensive tackle Quinnen Williams and veteran linebacker Logan Wilson, while also welcoming back electric linebacker DeMarvion Overshown and rookie cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. These changes have transformed the Cowboys' run defense. Since Week 11, they've been the best in the league, allowing just 45.0 rushing yards per game, even against talented running backs like Ashton Jeanty and Saquon Barkley.
| Cowboys With/Without DT Quinnen Williams This Season (NFL Ranks) | Without (Weeks 1-9) | With (Weeks 11-12) |
|---|---|---|
| W-L | 3-5-1 (19th) | 2-0 (T-1st) |
| PPG allowed | 30.8 (31st) | 18.5 (12th) |
| Total YPG allowed | 397.4 (31st) | 287.5 (7th) |
| Rush YPG allowed | 143.0 (29th) | 45.0 (1st) |
| QB pressures | 135 (3rd) | 38 (3rd) |
| QB pressure rate | 39.8% (9th) | 41.3% (6th) |
| Sacks | 20 (T-17th) | 5 (T-7th) |
| Takeaways | 7 (T-23rd) | 3 (T-10th) |
By forcing the Chiefs to rely on their passing game, the Cowboys' defensive line, featuring Williams, Kenny Clark, and Osa Odighizuwa, can focus on pressuring Mahomes. Mahomes will also be without Pro Bowl right guard Trey Smith, further weakening the Chiefs' offensive line. This increased pressure should lead to turnovers, with DaRon Bland, the 2023 NFL interceptions leader, and another Cowboys defender each picking off Mahomes. Can the Cowboys' revamped defense truly contain Mahomes, or will he prove too much to handle?
3. Burrow's Return: 300+ Yards and 3 TDs to Snap Ravens' Winning Streak
The Baltimore Ravens have turned their season around, going from 1-5 to 6-5 and tying for the AFC North lead. Their defense has been dominant since Week 8, ranking among the league's best in scoring defense, third-down defense, red-zone defense, and takeaways. They have been one of the top teams in the league.
Only two quarterbacks have thrown for three or more touchdowns against Baltimore this season: Patrick Mahomes and C.J. Stroud. Josh Allen is the only quarterback to surpass 300 passing yards against them, and that was all the way back in Week 1. But...Joe Burrow could defy those trends in his return from a turf toe injury. He's poised to throw for at least 300 yards and three touchdowns.
| Ravens defense during 5-game winning streak (since Week 8) | NFL Rank |
|---|---|
| W-L | 5-0 (T-1st) |
| PPG allowed | 13.4 (1st) |
| Third-down conversion rate allowed | 26.6% (1st) |
| Red zone TD rate allowed | 30.8% (T-1st) |
| Takeaways | 10 (T-1st) |
Burrow will have his top target, Ja'Marr Chase, back from suspension. Chase will undoubtedly be playing with extra motivation after his time off and Burrow's return. Bengals running back Chase Brown is also on a hot streak, having had at least 100 scrimmage yards in each of the last five games. Even with Tee Higgins sidelined, Burrow has enough weapons to light up the Ravens' defense and end their winning streak. Is Burrow truly healthy enough to perform at a high level, or will the Ravens' defense continue its dominant run?
These are just a few bold predictions for this Thanksgiving's NFL games. What do you think? Are they wishful thinking, or could they actually happen? Share your own predictions and opinions in the comments below!
