Merry Thanksgivingmas. We had a bad week in Week 11, as the Miami Dolphins had their worst home outing of the entire season, the Los Angeles Chargers wide receivers forgot how to catch and the Detroit Lions struggled mightily with the lowly Chicago Bears.
Additionally, Taylor Swift had to reschedule her concert in Brazil, so she was unable to facilitate the merging of two powerful families in Kansas City, as was planned.
Without her in attendance, the Chiefs predictably lost.
Sportsbooks should refund all Chiefs tickets because the NFL world was under the assumption K.C.’s most important weapon would be active for “Monday Night Football.” I’m not joking I’m actually mad.
Here’s a look at what I’m thinking this week. As always, credit to the CBS Sports research team for making me sound smart.
I’ll bite on the Lions … again. They have covered the spread just once over the last four games, but are 4-0 SU and ATS in their past four matchups vs. the Packers.
Plus, Green Bay will be without Aaron Jones and Darnell Savage, while Jaire Alexander, De’Vondre Campbell, AJ Dillon and Dontayvion Wicks are questionable to play.
The Lions are clearly the better team. When these two squads met last month, the Lions won by eight points and held a 24-0 lead at halftime. Detroit will be rocking for Thanksgiving.
The report of the 49ers’ death was greatly exaggerated.
After blowing out the Jacksonville Jaguars, Brock Purdy and the boys covered against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers despite the large number, while the second-year signal-caller recorded a perfect passer rating (158.3) in his 15th career regular-season start.
The Seahawks on the other hand have struggled a bit as of late.
After getting blown out by the Baltimore Ravens in Week 9, Seattle had a hard time with the Washington Commanders, and then allowed a fourth-quarter comeback from the Los Angeles Rams.
Now, quarterback Geno Smith is dealing with a bruised right tricep on a short week. I imagine he will play, but it’s a legitimate question how effective he will be.
Both of these teams are 5-4-1 ATS on the season, but the 49ers are 8-0-1 ATS in their last nine divisional games, and 4-1 ATS in their last five primetime games.
I’ll take San Francisco to cover, and expect a push at worst
Steelers fans got Thanksgiving early, as offensive coordinator Matt Canada was relieved of his duties.
This was a big deal, as it marked the first time the Steelers had made an in-season coaching change since 1941.
I’m not going to pretend that firing Canada will all of a sudden make Pittsburgh an offensive juggernaut, but I do think it’s something that can spark this unit.