Thanksgiving Day NFL: Detroit Lions, Dallas Cowboys and Washington Redskins play host on Sky Sports
Vikings @ Lions; Chargers @ Cowboys; Giants @ Redskins
Friday 24 November 2017 00:30, UK
Who is ready for some Thanksgiving Day football?
Kicking off "Turkey Day" on Sky Sports Action (407) from 5pm, the Lions (6-4) host the Minnesota Vikings (8-2) in Detroit. The NFC North rivals are both on hot win streaks, and this is a crucial fixture both for both the division and the NFC playoff picture as a whole.
After an 0-4 start, the Los Angeles Chargers (4-6) have won four of the last six and most recently came up with a dominant performance to destroy the Buffalo Bills 54-24. On the flip side, their hosts the Dallas Cowboys (5-5) have been stuffed 64-16 in the past two weeks. The pair meet in Texas from 9.30pm.
Then, for our final game from 1.30am; their seasons might already be over, but that won't affect the fierce rivalry between the New York Giants (2-8) and Washington Redskins (4-6). Both teams have a point to prove on the national stage and will want to show they aren't the laughing stock of the NFC East.
Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions, Sky Sports Action (407), 5pm
In a tweet...
The top two in the NFC North battle it out in a huge match-up with early playoff implications. Will the Lions win to move to within one game of the Vikings?
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The Vikings are the more ailing team of the two, with a number of key pieces listed on the injury report. Right tackle Mike Remmers missed Sunday's victory over the Rams, but back-up Rashod Hill played well in his stead. Perhaps the biggest concern is the health of top cornerback Xavier Rhodes, who only has a short week to recover from a calf injury.
Stat attack
With another huge performance on Sunday, Adam Thielen joined legends Randy Moss and Cris Carter as the only Vikings receivers to have at least 380 receiving yards over three games with a touchdown in each.
With 127 passing yards on Thursday night, Matthew Stafford can overtake Peyton Manning in throwing for the most in NFL history before the age of 30. Manning had 33,189; Stafford is currently on 33,063.
Key battle
Minnesota has the second-best run defense in the NFL, while the Lions have the fifth-worst rushing attack. Therefore it's likely Detroit will take to the air, and most of the team's success will come down to Stafford versus a strong secondary.
The Vikings have allowed just 10 passing touchdowns all season, but Lions offensive coordinator Jim Bob Cooter loves to throw the ball (they pass 62 per cent of the time, which is ninth in the league). Stafford is fifth in passing yards and tied fourth in touchdowns, but this is a huge test.
Game-changer
Adam Thielen. The Vikings receiver has exploded this year! He is fifth in the NFL in catches (62), second in yards (916) and ties league leader Antonio Brown with 16 plays of 20 yards or longer. He clinched last week's win over the Rams with a 65-yard catch-and-run for a score in the fourth quarter.
He's not the only star receiver for Minnesota, as Stefon Diggs is similarly explosive across from the 27-year old. The dazzling duo have the ability to turn a game on its head.
Los Angeles Chargers @ Dallas Cowboys, Sky Sports Action (407), 9.30pm
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The Cowboys are reeling from two crushing defeats, and they now must hold off Philip Rivers and the surging Chargers to stay alive in the NFC.
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Dallas has its fingers crossed for the return of All-Pro left tackle Tyron Smith to their offensive line. Smith said he expects to be ready to play, and he returned to limited practice early in the week.
After a groin injury on Sunday, linebacker Anthony Hitchens said "I think I'll be alright" for Thursday. That would be crucial considering the team is already missing star linebacker Sean Lee. Dallas might get kicker Dan Bailey back too.
The Chargers, meanwhile, had three starting offensive linemen listed as limited on Monday, and their health is crucial against DeMarcus Lawrence and a strong Dallas defensive line.
Stat attack
Just three weeks ago, defensive end Joey Bosa broke the record for most sacks through a player's first 20 games in the league (19). As of his last game, he's recorded a sack in six straight.
Key battle
Both Bosa and Melvin Ingram will be salivating for this Thanksgiving match-up, especially if Smith is out, or not at 100 per cent. Last week, the duo wrecked the game against Buffalo, forcing QB Nathan Peterman into five interceptions on just 14 throws. Between them, they've racked up 19 sacks (both in the league's top seven) already this season and they'll look to feast against a team that has given up 12 in the last two games.
Game-changer
Keenan Allen. It's been a long road back for the Chargers wideout after he missed the final eight games of 2015 with a kidney injury, then suffered a devastating ACL tear in last year's opener. He's had a couple of decent outings so far in this campaign, but it was last week against the Bills where he really showed his star potential with 12 catches, 159 yards and two scores. The Cowboys are tied for the fourth-most passing touchdowns given up with 18, and so Allen will have a chance to repeat his strong performance.
New York Giants @ Washington Redskins, Sky Sports Action (407), 1.20am
In a tweet...
Two big NFC East rivals fighting more for pride than anything else on Thursday night as the Redskins host the Giants. Which of these teams will show more fight?
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There were as many as 11 Redskins players listed as non-participants in Monday's injury report. Sunday's loss to the Saints was costly in more ways than one, as the team's star running back and receiver Chris Thompson fractured his fibula and will miss the rest of the year. The offensive line is extremely hobbled, with six players from that group unable to practice fully.
New York were without Sterling Shepard last Sunday due to an illness, and he's questionable for this one too. The Giants have used seven different offensive line combinations in the first 10 games of the season, and may be forced into another as right tackle D.J. Fluker is set to miss time with toe injury. Cornerback Eli Apple will play though after missing the last game to help his mother recover from brain surgery.
Stat attack
In the last three seasons, Kirk Cousins has thrown 71 touchdowns compared to 28 interceptions. His win-loss record in that time though is only 21-20-1.
Key battle
Despite their struggles, Washington still has the ninth-best offense in the league, and they now go up against New York's 31st ranked defensive unit, one which has been humiliated by a number of teams. This could be a high-scoring affair!
Cousins will want to pile on the points, because 31 and 30 haven't been enough to get it done in two straight losses for the Skins. If they are to have any shot at a surprise playoff berth, they'll need to run the table and their QB will be forced to carry even more on his shoulders.
Game-changer
Ryan Kerrigan. When you scan the rosters for standout players on these two teams, Ryan Kerrigan's name clearly jumps out. He's had at least 8.5 sacks in five straight seasons, and already has 7.0 so far this year. Kerrigan could have some fun against a makeshift Giants offensive line.
Watch all the NFL action this Thanksgiving, live on Sky Sports Action (407) from 5pm. Our triple-header kicks off with the Minnesota Vikings' trip to Detroit to take on the Lions.
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