Betting: NFL Thanksgiving Preview
Ariel Epstein, Minty Bets, and Mark Drumheller break down their best bets for the three NFL games on Thanksgiving.
Video Transcript
ARIEL EPSTEIN: Happy Thanksgiving from everyone here at Yahoo Sportsbook, alongside Minty Bets and Mark Drumheller. I'm Ariel Epstein. We're going to preview all three games for Thanksgiving, starting with game one, Lions hosting the Buffalo Bills. The Bills are 9 point road favorites. However, I still would play the points, even though it's a large spread. Buffalo has an advantage because they did just play in Detroit last week. Their quarterback, Josh Allen, he also succeeds a lot in domes.
Through the last four dome games that Allen has played, he's won by at least 10 points, covering this 9-point spread. Also, 10 and 3 ATS is what the opposition is when going into Detroit on Thanksgiving since 2005. And they're winning those games by at least 9 points a game.
The Detroit secondary also, may be missing one of its key members, their cornerback, Jeff Okudah, doubtful with a concussion. Now you're going up against a Bills offense that ranks third in yards per game. I've got to lay the points here with the Buffalo Bills at minus 9. Minty, ladies first. Where are you going with the next game for Giants and Cowboys?
MINTY BETS: This one's going to be tough because both teams are great at covering the spread this season. So I'm going to look to the total instead. Both the Giants and the Cowboys, possess great defenses, especially Dallas, but remember, these guys are coming off a short week. These defenses are going to be exhausted, but we know that both teams can score. Dallas' offense is heating up at the right time, and the Giants are actually great off a loss this season. So I'm going to look to the over at 44 and a half. This meeting has gone over in seven straight matchups.
ARIEL EPSTEIN: That's what everyone who's just sitting around in that awkward stage of the day between that like 4:00 to 6:00 window where you're planning on eating food. Everyone wants a high scoring game on Thanksgiving, right? Giants-Cowboys over for Minty. Mark, last game of the night. You're going to get the Vikings hosting the New England Patriots. How do you see this game ending up?
MARK DRUMHELLER: I think there's value in the Vikings here, and what's your typical buy low, sell high spot. The Vikings coming off a brutal loss to the Cowboys, but New England always looks their best against the Jets. It's never easy backing Kirk Cousins at night, but I don't-- I'm not sold that New England's offense has the firepower to compete against good teams. We saw them lose by 13 points to Miami, 11 to Baltimore, and they even got blown out at home by the Bears. The loss of center, David Andrews, is huge, and that'll help Minnesota hold up in the trenches.
I think Kevin O'Connell learned from last week, schemes up his short passing attack to help keep Kirk Cousins clean. I don't think Minnesota is an elite team, but I think they're good enough to cover this number against the Patriots. Give me Minnesota minus the three.
ARIEL EPSTEIN: Here's a recap of our picks. I'm laying the points with the Bills. Minty is taking the over in Giants-Cowboys. Mark, he liked the Vikings. Bet $10 and win $200 when you wager on any event. Sign up at BetMGM.com/YahooVIP. New customers only. You must be 21 or older, location restrictions and terms apply.