NFL Betting – Patriots at Lions Game is No Turkey

Much of NFL Betting is done by people that don’t really pay attention to the NFL Pointspread. This Thanksgiving Day game to start out is one where it is very important to consider the Sportsbook Line.

This opening Turkey Day game at Detroit is one you can start out on the plus side, but it will take some discipline by not just firing on the favorite here.

New England Patriots (8-2) at Detroit Lions (2-8) – Thursday November 25 at 12:30 ET CBS

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Gillette Stadium (68,756) – Foxborough, Massachusetts

NFL Betting Line:

New England Patriots (5-4-1 ATS) -7 (ML -290)
Detroit Lions (7-2-1 ATS) +7 (ML +240)

Over/Under Total – 50 ½

You can’t help but admire the Patriots for looking better than they have all year after dumping Randy Moss. You can hate on Belichick and Brady, but if you love NFL Betting there is a recognition of skills that needs to be respected.

I’m not a big fan of New England, but beating the Steelers and Colts the last two weeks can’t deny the fact that the Patriots are back, they’re mad and they’re damn good. Put that in your turkey and smoke it.

This team doesn’t look like the Number 1 team in my NFL Football Power Rankings by numbers alone. They’re ranked 17th overall in offensive yards and the 3rd worst in defensive yards allowed in the NFL.

Tom Brady is one of those eclectic individuals that knows how to win at any cost and leads so confidently that all the players follow his forthright ways. That is REALLY hard to accomplish these days in the NFL.

The Lions will definitely be able to pass on New England. They average 255.9 yards in the air, but the Pats are giving up an average of 289.6 to opposing passers. The NFL Betting Play here keys on this statistic along with the 7 Point Spread.

I really like the attitude Head Coach Jim Schwartz takes and practices with his team philosophy. He said “winning each week is the only thing that matters during the season” when asked about evaluating young players in these later games.

The Patriots better not let that letdown after two big wins set in, or the Lions will take advantage of it as dictated by Schwartz’s winning objective. I just don’t see a shootout here with the short week.

Detroit has hosted and lost six Turkey games in a row. Maybe they should complain to NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell…NOT!

The Lions’ passing offense is ranked 6th in the NFL with Calvin Johnson riding elite receiver status on the level of Andre Johnson and Roddy White. Houston is the only NFL team giving up more total yards than New England this year.

This will be advantageous for Nate Burleson as his partner Calvin Johnson is getting double-teamed coverage from the secondary. Expect a big close for Nate this year on statistic central.

This game will end up being more conservative than you would expect. This NFL Betting Pointspread is a little high here. In their last 6 games versus teams with a winning record, Detroit is 6-0 ATS. The Pats have a winning record.

NFL Betting Advice – Bet Detroit +7 over New England

Happy Thanksgiving!