The biggest Thursday night in the NFL calendar brings three games deserving of nuggets from RedZone Sports – let’s hope none are turkeys….

GAME ODDS

CHICAGO BEARS (-3) @ DETROIT LIONS (+3)

• They played each other in Chicago a full 11 days ago, with the Bears winning 34-22, taking the Lions to 9-2 in their last 11 match-ups
• There are conflicting reports about Mitchell Trubisky’s health, with press reports suggesting he’s not starting, but HC Matt Nagy saying he’s ‘cautiously optimistic’ that his QB will be out there. It’s worth monitoring the situation, as Chase Daniel is likely to deputise if Trubisky can’t go…
• Kerryon Johnson went out injured in the third quarter last week, he has a knee sprain and will likely miss at least this week
• With Golden Tate now gone and Marvin Jones injured, the pressure was on Kenny Golladay last weekend and he absolutely delivered with 87 yards and a touchdown from eight catches. Jones probably doesn’t play again
• The Lions have had Ziggy Ansah for three games now, but he’s only played 42 total snaps.
• The Lions are the joint worst team in average rushing yards allowed on first down, putting the defense on the back foot early

WASHINGTON REDSKINS (+7) @ DALLAS COWBOYS (-7)

• Dallas beat Washington 5 times in a row before they were squeezed out 20-17 in Week 7
• Washington QB Alex Smith suffered a gruesome injury last week, breaking his tibia and fibula. They are still leading the NFC East but, with Colt McCoy -or possibly even Mark Sanchez – under centre and significant offensive line injuries, it may be difficult to hold on to that position
• If the Cowboys can win this game, they are in prime position to win the division
• Dak Prescott has improved with the signing of Amari Cooper, increasing his yards per game from 202 to 240
• Prescott also didn’t commit a turnover last week, and the Cowboys are 22-1 when he doesn’t commit a turnover
• Cowboys rookie WR Michael Gallup plays, despite the death of his brother last weekend

ATLANTA FALCONS (+12) @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (-12)

• With the Falcons and Panthers losing last week, the division is all but won for the Saints
• The Falcons put 37 points up against the Saints in Week 3, but it still wasn’t enough, going down 43-37. They might need to put the same amount up again
• On a nine-game winning streak, the Saints have now scored more than 40 points in their last three games – and in six of their last 10…
• Last week was the breakout game for Saints rookie wide receiver Tre’Quan Smith, with 10 catches from 14 targets for 157 yards and a touchdown, but he began this week listed as questionable for the Falcons game, along with fellow rookie, DE Marcus Davenport. Tackle Terron Armstead is already out
• It looked like Deion Jones may get back for the Cowboys game last week, but he couldn’t make it, and it hurt not having him back as Ezekiel Elliot gained over 200 scrimmage yards. Despite initial optimism, it currently looks doubtful that Jones be able to get back for this week’s game either

Got a question or comment, or want to ask about the stats of a specific match-up, then hit up @UKBenThe12 on Twitter

GRIDIRON BET OF THE NIGHT

Falcons @ Saints over 6.5 total touchdowns @ 1.76

(odds correct at the time of publishing)

RedZone Sports are unique in that they set their own NFL betting lines, rather than simply following those from Las Vegas. To see what all the fuss is about, check them out!