NFL Thanksgiving schedule: Kickoff times, TV channel info, game breakdowns
Vikings (8-2) at Lions (6-4)
TV: 12:30, Fox (Joe Buck, Troy Aikman, Erin Andrews)
The matchup: Their 24-7 Week 11 win vs. the Los Angeles Rams was the Vikings’ most impressive since the Week 1 road victory against the Saints in New Orleans. Traveling on a short week for the unofficial NFC North title game won’t be easy, but coach Mike Zimmer’s club has taken every obstacle in stride. QB Case Keenum, now 6-2 as Minnesota’s starter with a career-high 93.7 rating, keeps making plays. Detroit needed another game-winning drive, this time over the lowly Chicago Bears, after surrendering more than 200 rushing yards and a double-figure first-quarter lead for a second consecutive week. Nonetheless, the Lions have won three in a row and can close the gap as they pursue their first division title since 1991 with a win. In a hostile environment, the Vikings must force the Lions to beat them and let their run game and fourth-ranked scoring defense dominate.
More:NFL MVP tracker: Eagles QB Carson Wentz's hold on first place slipping as Tom Brady gains
More:As NFL players feel fans' scorn on social media, some choose to push back
NFL DRAFT HUB: Latest NFL Draft mock drafts, news, live picks, grades and analysis.
Chargers (4-6) at Cowboys (5-5)
TV: 4:30, CBS (Jim Nantz, Tony Romo, Tracy Wolfson)
The matchup: While the Chargers benefited from six total takeaways, including five interceptions of Bills rookie QB Nathan Peterman in the first half, and scored 27 second-quarter points for a 37-7 halftime lead last week, offensively they totaled 429 yards and had 28 first downs. QB Philip Rivers was cleared from concussion protocol and had a passer rating of 107.7. Dallas has played the last two games without RB Ezekiel Elliott (suspension) and LT Tyron Smith (back, groin), and it lost to Atlanta and Philadelphia by a combined 64-16. QB Dak Prescott has been sacked 12 times in the last two games with Smith out, and the all-pro is questionable for Thursday. LB Sean Lee aggravated a hamstring injury against the Falcons, playing only eight snaps, and will be out again after missing the Philadelphia game. The Cowboys had 27 sacks after eight games but only one in the last two games and have been outscored 176-94 in their five losses.
Giants (2-8) at Redskins (4-6)
TV: 8:30, NBC (Al Michaels, Cris Collinsworth, Michele Tafoya)
The matchup: After being called out by coach Ben McAdoo for a conspicuous lack of effort in three consecutive ugly losses, the Giants last weekend showed heart and guts in hanging on for a rugged overtime win vs. Kansas City. While the win means little in the grand scheme of things, it shows there’s still a bit of a spark left in the team. Over the last two seasons, the Giants have forced three or more turnovers in six games and won all six. Washington’s season is not over. It just seems that way after the Redskins blew a late lead in a heartbreaking overtime loss at New Orleans. On top of that, they lost RB Chris Thompson, who leads the team in receiving and TDs and is second in rushing, to a broken leg. Also, WR Terrelle Pryor (ankle) is out for the year and TE Jordan Reed (hamstring) will sit against New York. With RB Rob Kelley also out for the season, rookie RB Samaje Perine stepped up and ran for 117 yards vs. the Saints, Washington’s first 100-yard rusher this season.
Times p.m. Eastern.
PHOTOS: Best NFL celebrations
