Texans vs Lions Odds, Lines, and Spread for Week 12 Thursday
- The Houston Texans are 3-point road favorites over the Detroit Lions in the annual Thanksgiving Day game at Ford Field
- Thursday betting record: 2-8-1 (-3.52 units won)
- Detroit is 37-41-2 straight up all-time in 80 Thanksgiving games
There’s an urban legend that the Detroit Lions always win on Thanksgiving. It’s patently false.
This myth didn’t hold water when the Lions were playing in the suburbs at the Pontiac Silverdome. It’s even more untrue since they relocated to Ford Field in downtown Detroit.
The Houston Texans, on the other hand, never lose on Thanksgiving. Sure, they’ve only played once on the holiday. But the Texans beat the Lions 34-31 in Detroit. So there’s that.
Oddsmakers are making it look that this tradition will continue. The Texans are 3-point road favorites to topple the Lions on Turkey Day – the exact same margin by which they downed the Lions in that previous Thanksgiving game in 2012. Houston opened as a 1-point pick.
Texans vs Lions Odds – Week 12
| Team | Moneyline | Spread | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston Texans | -162 | -3 (-110) | O 51.5 (-110) |
| Detroit Lions | +143 | +3 (-110) | U 51.5 (-110) |
Odds taken Nov. 25th at DraftKings
Kickoff on Thursday is slated for 12:30 PM EST. The forecast is calling for clouds, 8 mph wind, and a 50-degree temperature – not that it will matter inside the dome of Ford Field.
A Lions Thing
The Thanksgiving tradition began in the Motor City in 1934. Lately, though, it’s the opponents who are giving thanks that they get to play Detroit.
It’s been four years since the Lions won on Thanksgiving. They are 0-3 straight up and 0-2-1 against the spread in the last three Turkey Day contests.
#TriviaTuesday Answer: The University of Detroit Stadium hosted the first broadcasted Thanksgiving Day football game in 1934 – the Detroit Lions vs. the Chicago Bears.
📷: FOX 2 Detroit pic.twitter.com/NEO9W5YU1A
— #D3MIAA Sports (@MIAA1888) November 24, 2020
Overall, Detroit is 37-41-2 for a .475 winning percentage on Thanksgiving. However, as a home underdog on the day, they are enduring an appalling lack of success.
The Lions are 0-12 SU and 2-10 ATS in their last dozen Thanksgiving appearances as a home dog. A 22-14 win over the Green Bay Packers in 2003 as 6.5-point underdogs was the last time Detroit won outright as a Thanksgiving underdog.
Detroit Standing Pat
The 4-6 Lions take the field coming off a season-worst 20-0 loss to the Carolina Panthers. They will also do so with a cloud hanging over the head of coach Matt Patricia.
Detroit is 13-28-1 under Patricia, a .321 winning percentage. He’s on pace to reach double digits in losses for the third straight season.
Romeo Crennel: There are two kinds of coaches. Those that have been fired, and those that are going to be fired.
On any empathy for Matt Patricia's situation: "We could get together and cry in the same bucket. This is a tough business."
— Benjamin Raven (@BenjaminSRaven) November 24, 2020
The Lions are 28th in the NFL in scoring defense (28.7 points per game) and 22nd in scoring offense (22.7 ppg). Patricia has overtaken Adam Gase of the winless New York Jets as the chalk to be the next NFL head coach fired.
Considering Detroit will have 10 days until the next game, another embarrassing loss to the Texans on national TV could seal Patricia’s fate. Houston fired head coach Bill O’Brien after an 0-4 start. The Texans are 3-3 under Romeo Crennel and have won two of their last three games.
Injury Report
Nine Detroit starters are questionable, including seven on offense. The list includes quarterback Matthew Stafford (neck), running back D’Andre Swift (concussion), wide receivers Kenny Golladay (hip) and Danny Amendola (hip), tight end TJ Hockenson (toe) and guards Halapoulivaati Vaitai (foot) and Jonah Jackson (knee).
Lions RB D’Andre Swift (concussion) was upgraded to a limited participant in their estimated practice report today, giving him a chance to play on Thursday.
WR Kenny Golladay (hip) was downgraded to a non-participant, meaning his return to action seems less likely.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) November 24, 2020
Minus Swift, the Lions were held to 40 yards rushing by the Panthers. On defense, defensive end Da’Shawn Hand (groin) and linebacker Christian Jones (knee) are questionable.
For the Texans, wide receivers Randall Cobb (toe) and Kenny Stills are out. Guard Senio Kelemete (concussion) is questionable.
Trend Spotting
The Lions are 0-2 ATS as a home underdog this season. Houston is 0-1 ATS as a road favorite.
Romeo Crennel on winning two of three games since bye: 'The big difference is they are understanding the system on defense and offense and what needs to be done to make the system work. We are a competitive team. We always play hard and fight'
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) November 23, 2020
The Texans have looked like a different team since their bye week, going 2-1 both SU and ATS. The Lions are a banged-up bunch with a coach on the hot seat.
Pick: Houston Texans (-162) 1 unit
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
