For the first time since 1938, there are three games on Thanksgiving and each team playing has a record at or above .500.  It should be a great day of football, and here’s how we see the games shaking out.

Minnesota vs. Detroit

Minnesota appears to have the better roster, but due to injuries on the offensive line they simply can’t block anyone effectively, and it takes smoke, mirrors, pick-sixes and special teams scores for them to win games these days.  If Detroit can protect the football, they can persevere against one of the best defenses in the game and playing at home should help that.  In a first place battle in the NFC North, we’ll take the home team.  Lions 24, Vikings 18. 

Washington vs. Dallas

Kirk Cousins has had heaps of praise levied his way this week after his brilliant performance on Sunday Night Football.  Meanwhile, the Cowboys have won a franchise-best nine games in a row and they seem to be a well-oiled offensive line machine.  The way to beat Dallas is to get up on them early, and the Redskins are capable of doing so.  Which trend ends first: Kirk Cousins fine play or the Cowboys offensive dominance?  I’m taking Cousins to hiccup first.  Cowboys 27, Redskins 16. 

Pittsburgh vs. Indianapolis

This would obviously be a better game if Andrew Luck was playing for the Colts, but he’s not.  We have no idea what to expect from Scott Tolzien, and it’s likely that he’ll have a few good moments against a pretty mediocre Steelers defense.  With that said, how is the Indianapolis defense going to slow down, much less stop Ben Roethlisberger and the Pittsburgh offense?  They won’t, so we like the road team.  Steelers 31, Colts 10.