We all love thanksgiving football, and I’ve got your 2022 NFL Thanksgiving Day Best Bets.

The National Football League playing on Thanksgiving Day dates back to 1920. But it has been a rare occasion lately when each game on the holiday had playoff implications like the 2022 edition. The last time all six teams played on Turkey Day and finished with at least a .500 record was 2016 — there have been three games each year since 2006. 

While it is no guarantee that the Bills, Cowboys, Lions, Patriots, Giants, and Vikings will accomplish that feat this year, each team has a chance of making the postseason. The Bills (7-3), Patriots (6-4), Cowboys (7-3), Giants (7-3), and Vikings (8-2) are all sitting in the top 7 spots in their respective conference. The Lions (4-6) have a losing record though they are just two games behind the Seahawks, who hold the final playoff spot in the NFC with seven games remaining. 

The Bills, tied with the Dolphins atop of the AFC East, and the Lions will kick off the John Madden Celebration — named in honor of the Pro Football HOF’er — in Detroit at 12:30 p.m. (ET). The Cowboys and Giants will then square off in a key NFC East battle in Dallas (4:30 p.m.), with both teams trying to stay within striking distance of the division-leading Eagles. The Patriots, No. 6 in the AFC playoff race, visit the NFC North-leading Vikings to close out the day (8:20 p.m.) on NBC.

2022 NFL Thanksgiving Day Best Bets: Lions (+10) Against the Spread Over the Bills

I expect the Bills to win this game, as they are the better team as one of my 2022 NFL Thanksgiving Day Best Bets. However, I like the Lions to cover. Detroit enters the game on a three-game winning streak, and the Lions have played well in more games than not, so I like them to cover as one of my 2022 NFL Thanksgiving Day Best Bets.

Conversely, the Bills have faced adversity recently and have not played to their capabilities. They are banged up on the offensive line along the front seven.

2022 NFL Thanksgiving Day Best Bets: Devin Singletary Over 58.5 Rushing Yards (-115) & Over 77.5 (-115) Receiving + Rushing Yards

Singletary has been an integral part of the Bills’ offense for most of this season, but he has gotten more of a chance to run the ball lately and has been very productive.

 After averaging just eight carries through the first five games, Singletary has toted the ball 70 times over the team’s last five games for 309 yards and three touchdowns. He has received 13 carries in four of those contests and surpassed the 60-yard mark three times, including rolling up a season-high 86 yards on 18 carries on Sunday against the Browns.  

I expect Buffalo’s offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey to continue this trend of feeding Singletary as the Lions permit the 10th most yards a game to opposing running backs. Opposing running backs average 4.77 yards per carry and 22 attempts per game against Detroit. Singletary projects for over 62 rushing yards on Thursday and is one of the 2022 NFL Thanksgiving Day Best Bets. 

I also like Singletary to go over 77.5 scrimmage yards. He is an exceptional pass catcher out of the backfield, averaging three receptions for over 21 yards a contest. The Lions have been pretty good at limiting opposing running backs from a receiving standpoint but still allow over 20 yards to them through the air. 

2022 NFL Thanksgiving Day Best Bets: Jamal Williams Over 54.5 (-115) Rushing Yards

This Williams prop appears to be a no-brainer. Williams has been “balling out” since taking over as the primary running back for the Lions. He has produced at least 53 rushing yards in his last nine appearances and averages 66 yards on 15 carries per game. 

The Bills’ defense did an excellent job limiting Nick Chubb and Kareem Hunt on the ground on Sunday, but their front seven is still dealing with injuries. Aaron Jones, Dalvin Cook, and the Jets’ Michael Carter have tallied at least 70 yards on the ground against the Bills over the last four contests. Williams projects for 60 rushing yards on Thanksgiving. 

Other 2022 NFL Thanksgiving Day Best Bets

Vikings (-2.5) Against the Spread Over the Patriots 

Jared Goff Over 244.5 Passing Yards 

Dak Prescott Over 246.5 Passing Yards

Ezekiel Elliott Over 45.5 Rushing Yards

Saquon Barkley Under 74.5 Rushing Yards

Rhamondre Stevenson Under 90 Receiving + Rushing Yards

Stefon Diggs Over 6.5 Receptions