NFL Thanksgiving Preview: Games, How to Stream, and More
Thanksgiving turkey just tastes better with NFL football. Here's a look at this year's games and how to stream them on Sling TV.
No other sports league owns a holiday the way that the NFL owns Thanksgiving. With a night game on top of the annual Thanksgiving matchups hosted by the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys, NFL football is as closely associated with the holiday as cranberry sauce, gravy, and stuffing. Here’s a look ahead at this year’s football feast, along with details on how to watch with Sling TV (spoiler alert: use the link at the bottom of this page to subscribe to Sling Blue).
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
When: 12:30pm ET
Where: FOX
How to Stream: FOX is included with all Sling Blue subscriptions in Detroit, Chicago, and every other NFC market outside of New Orleans. If you’re not in a FOX market, you can stream the game using local solutions.
Current DraftKings Odds: Lions +3
It’s been a long season for both of these NFC North rivals. At 0-9-1, the Lions possess the league’s worst record and their losses to the Vikings and Ravens (who won on a record-setting 66-yard FG) have been particularly heartbreaking. It hasn’t been much better for the Bears, who are just 3-7 with a number of soul-crushing L’s as well, including a baffling collapse to the Ravens last weekend.
Although Chicago won their first matchup 24-14 in Week 4, Thursday’s Thanksgiving game is difficult to predict. That’s largely due to injuries at the quarterback position for both teams. Jared Goff was injured in the Lions’ tie with the Steelers; it sounds like his availability will be a game-time decision, but head coach Dan Campbell said that backup Tim Boyle, who started Sunday in a narrow loss to the Browns, will be ready if necessary. Chicago’s electrifying rookie QB Justin Fields may also miss Thursday’s game after injuring his ribs against Baltimore. Although he has not officially been ruled out, Ian Rappaport is reporting that Andy Dalton will get the start.
Las Vegas Raiders at Dallas Cowboys
When: 4:30pm ET
Where: CBS
How to Stream: Stream the game on Sling TV using local solutions.
Current DraftKings Odds: Cowboys -7.5
Although the Raiders come into the game with a perfectly mediocre record of 5-5, you could argue they’ve overperformed given the off-the-field drama the team has been through. On Oct. 11, head coach Jon Gruden abruptly resigned after the New York Times published a report claiming that Gruden sent emails making disparaging remarks about black NFL executives, women referees, and other groups (Gruden has since sued the NFL). Then on Nov. 2, second-year reciever Henry Ruggs III was charged with multiple felonies after the car he was driving was involved in a fatal late night accident. Ruggs was released by the Raiders just hours after the crash.
The Cowboys looked like the class of the NFC as they raced out to a 6-1 start, but they’ve dropped two of their last three games, both to AFC West teams. The biggest issue has been their offense, which struggled to score points against both the Broncos and Chiefs. The Cowboys and the Raiders have both been unpredictable this season, making this game difficult to project. But one thing’s for certain: the Cowboys found a star in linebacker Micah Parsons, who’s a virtual lock for Defensive Rookie of the Year as long as he stays healthy.
Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints
When: 8:20pm ET
Where: NBC
How to Stream: NBC is included with Sling Blue subscriptions in select markets. If you’re not in an NBC market, you can stream the game using local solutions.
Current DraftKings Odds: Saints +4
This is the biggest Thanksgiving matchup, largely because both teams are in danger of seeing their promising seasons slip away. With quarterback Josh Allen finishing second in MVP voting last year, the Bills came into the season as one of the favorites to come out of the AFC. However, they’ve looked listless in recent weeks, scoring just six points in a bad loss to Jacksonville and getting completely dominated at home by the Colts last Sunday. Having surrendered the AFC East lead to the surging Patriots, Buffalo faces a virtual must-win as they head into a four week stretch that includes two games against New England and a road game against the Buccaneers.
The Saints are also watching a once-promising season crumble away. New Orleans defeated Tampa Bay to improve to 5-2 after Week 8, but have since dropped three straight. Injuries have played a significant role: Starting QB Jameis Winston suffered a torn ACL in their win over the Bucs and star running back Alvin Kamara has been sidelined for the past two games with a knee injury. Kamara’s status for Thursday is still up in the air, but the Saints are undoubtedly hoping he can return to help the team get back on track.
Check out the full Week 12 schedule below
NFL Football
Week 12 - Nov. 25-29
Time (ET)
Matchup
Channel
Package
Thur. Nov. 25
12:30pm
Bears at Lions
FOX*
Select Markets/ Locals*
4:30pm
Raiders at Cowboys
CBS*
Locals*
8:20pm
Bills at Saints
NBC*
Select Markets/ Locals*
Sun. Nov. 28
1:00pm
Buccaneers at Colts
FOX*
Select Markets/ Locals*
1:00pm
Panthers at Dolphins
FOX*
Select Markets/ Locals*
1:00pm
Eagles at Giants
FOX*
Select Markets/ Locals*
1:00pm
Steelers at Bengals
CBS*
Locals*
1:00pm
Titans at Patriots
CBS*
Locals*
1:00pm
Falcons at Jaguars
CBS*
Locals*
1:00pm
Jets at Texans
CBS*
Locals*
4:05pm
Chargers at Broncos
CBS*
Locals*
4:25pm
Rams at Packers
FOX*
Select Markets/ Locals*
4:25pm
Vikings at 49ers
FOX*
Select Markets/ Locals*
8:20pm
Browns at Ravens
NBC*
Select Markets/ Locals*
Mon. Nov. 29