Vikings @ Lions, Redskins @ Cowboys, Steelers @ Colts...
Thursday 5 December 2019 09:52, UK
We bring the tradition, the turkey, and the touchdowns to you this Thanksgiving with three exclusively live games on Sky Sports 1 on Thursday.
It all gets underway from 5pm in Detroit, with NFC North table-toppers the Lions (6-4) hosting Minnesota Vikings (6-4).
That's followed at 9.30pm by the mouth-watering NFC East divisional match-up between the Dallas Cowboys (9-1) - holders of the NFL's best record - and the Washington Redskins (6-3-1) in Texas.
Rounding off the festivities for the evening at 1.30am is the all-AFC clash in Pittsburgh between the Steelers (5-5) and the Indianapolis Colts (5-5).
The Steelers ran out comfortable 45-10 winners in the same game last year, but we're hoping more for a repeat of the 2014 touchdown-fest where Ben Roethlisberger and Andrew Luck ran up a 51-34 scoreline; Pittsburgh again triumphant.
A re-match between the two QB gunslingers looks in jeopardy, however, with Luck in the concussion protocol and looking doubtful to play after taking a heavy hit during the Colts' 24-17 win over the Tennessee Titans on Sunday.
Talking of injured quarterbacks, Tony Romo is returning to health for the Cowboys, but rookie Dak Prescott will continue to lead the team, as he has done so brilliantly so far this year.
He'll face off against another red-hot QB in the Redskins' Kirk Cousins, who has led his team to six wins in their last eight since suffering a 27-23 defeat to Dallas 27-23 in Week Two.
First though, we head to Detroit as the Lions and Vikings renew hostilities just three weeks on from Golden Tate's game-winning touchdown in overtime.
What else can we expect from these fascinating match-ups come kick-off on Thanksgiving?
Key match-ups
Matthew Stafford v Vikings secondary
Stafford and the Lions are squaring up again against the stingy Vikings defence; ranked second in points allowed, third in total yardage, and third in passing yards allowed. That dominant D also has an impressive haul of 12 interceptions to their name, with Xavier Rhodes' four top of the tree. But this is a new Stafford-led Lions, not trying to carry the team on the back of an unbalanced aerial attack - Stafford has attempted 40 passes or more just three times this year, and topped 300 yards only twice. He did just enough to get the job done in Minnesota three weeks ago - 219 yards, two touchdowns (and one pick) - will he double up at home in Detroit?
Ezekiel Elliott v Rob Kelley
A battle between two rookie running-backs taking the NFL by storm, but with very different origin stories. Elliott - the top back taken in the 2016 NFL Draft - has already topped 1,000 rushing yards on the year, has five 100-yard games to his name, and nine touchdowns. The only person preventing him for being a shoe-in for Rookie of the Year honours, is his own quarterback. Kelley, meanwhile, was undrafted out of Tulane college, but is fresh from a breakout 137-yard and three-TD performance in a win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night. This one should be fun to watch!
Ben Roethlisberger v Colts pass rush
Big Ben has tallied a staggering 886 yards and 10 touchdowns in Pittsburgh's last two meetings with Indianapolis, mentioned earlier. The sometimes brittle-boned quarterback wasn't sacked once in either contest, so it's vitally important that the Colts brings some pressure this time around to prevent another torching, this Thanksgiving. Easier said that done, as they've managed only 22 so far this season, that's in comparison to the 35 made by their opponents. Nine-year veteran linebacker Erik Walden has at least provided a spark, leading the team with eight sacks through 10 games, and he'll be key come Thursday in Steeler Nation.
Watch all the Thanksgiving Day NFL action on Thursday, live on Sky Sports 1 from 5pm. Or watch all three games for £6.99 with a Day Pass from NOW TV - no contract.
