NFL Week 12 Predictions: Our picks against the odds

Thanksgiving Day Game

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions, 12:30 pm, Fox

Line: Bears -3.5 | Total: 41.5

Football can wait. The Bears (3-7) and the Lions (0-9-1) are terrible, and the game is only important for locating drafts and setting the stage for finalizing the Thanksgiving meal before guests come. Newcomer Chicago defender Justin Fields injured his knee last week, meaning Andy Dalton will be on the field, while Detroit’s Jared Goff is uncertain, but looks set to play with an oblique injury.

But they will not be the deciding factor in this matter. The Lions’ only attacking threat is D’Andre Swift, who has dashed over 100 meters in the last two games. Bears head coach Matt Nagy, the subject of rumours, may want to end his tenure by keeping Detroit win-free. Pick: Bear -3.5

Las Vegas Raiders at the Dallas Cowboys, 4:30 pm, CBS

Series: Cowboys -7 | Total: 51

The Raiders (5-5), which started the season 3-0, have now lost five of their last seven games and are in danger of missing out on the knockout stages. In each loss, the team did not get past more than 300 yards. Cowboys (7-3) better overall. Even if they play without Amari Cooper, who is still on the Covid-19 list, and CeeDee Lamb, who is on concussion protocol, Dallas offense could exploit the Raiders’ defenses, which has come under suspicion in recent weeks. Pick: Cowboys -7

Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints, 8:20 p.m., NBC

Line: Bills -4 | Total: 46.5

The Saints (5-5) desperately need Alvin Kamara (knee) back to confidently start the playoff push. A win here improves their chances by 59 percent, a loss reduces them by 35 percent, according to Predict the playoff game. With his status in limbo for the third game in a row, bet the Bill of Exchange (6-4) to cover the road. Buffalo have lost to lesser opponents in the past two of the past three weeks, with quarterback Josh Allen knocking Jacksonville four times, and Indianapolis surging 264 yards to the Bills’ usual tenacious defence.