Each season since 1945, the Detroit Lions have hosted a recreation on Thanksgiving Day — one of many NFL‘s longest-standing traditions. With a season in contrast to another because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Lions are nonetheless set to host a Thanksgiving recreation in 2020 within the conventional early afternoon slot. The Houston Texans shall be making their second look on Thanksgiving, enjoying on the vacation for the primary time since 2012 — the final time Houston confronted the Lions in Detroit. 

Deshaun Watson shall be making his Thanksgiving debut whereas Matthew Stafford is ready to begin his tenth profession recreation on the vacation. The Texans are coming off an upset win over the New England Patriots whereas the Lions had been shut out by the Carolina Panthers. 

Can the Lions win on Thanksgiving for the primary time in 4 years? Will the Texans keep unbeaten on Thanksgiving? We’ll discover out quickly, however here is the whole lot that you must know for this vacation deal with. 

The best way to watch

Date: Thursday, Nov. 26 | Time: 12:30 p.m. ET
Location: Ford Area (Detroit, Michigan)
TV: CBS | Stream: CBS All Entry
Observe: CBS Sports activities App

Prediction

The Texans even have turned the nook on their season over the previous few weeks, regardless of the disastrous begin that resulted within the firing of head coach and common supervisor Invoice O’Brien after the primary 4 video games. Houston has gone 3-3 within the six video games Romeo Crennel has served as interim head coach, as Deshaun Watson continues to play effectively regardless of quarterbacking an offense that ranks within the backside three within the league in speeding. Watson is second in the NFL in passing yards per try (8.53) whereas rating sixth in passer ranking (108.6). He is tied for third in completions of 20-or-more yards (40), fifth in passing yards (2,883) and tied for ninth in passing touchdowns (20). Houston nonetheless has one of many league’s worst defenses, rating second-to-last in yards allowed per recreation, however have allowed simply 18.3 factors per recreation over the previous three contests. 

The Lions had a wonderful alternative to advance to .500 final week, however had been shut out by the Panthers. Matthew Stafford battled a thumb harm that restricted the offense, however he is anticipated to begin on Thanksgiving. Detroit has a bottom-10 offense in yards per recreation and a bottom-10 protection in the identical class, which makes Stafford throwing 17 touchdowns to simply seven interceptions much more spectacular. Detroit is one other group that struggles to run the soccer, rating fourth-to-last in yards per recreation — and is averaging simply 73.4 yards per recreation on the bottom during the last 5 video games. This recreation is lining as much as be an aerial assault between Stafford and Watson. 

Selecting the Lions to win any recreation is troublesome. Detroit does appear to play effectively on Thanksgiving — dropping a one-score contest in every of their final three Thanksgiving video games — however this recreation goes to return right down to the group that converts its crimson zone alternatives into touchdowns, which Houston does higher than Detroit (62.1% to 58.3%). Stafford and Watson will present a very good present within the Thanksgiving matinee, one Detroit will definitely hold shut. 

Choose: Texans 30, Lions 27 

Take a look at CBSSports.com for much more professional predictions on this recreation and the remainder of Week 13.