If the Detroit Lions were playing on Sunday in Week 12 instead of Thursday, Matt Patricia might be out of a job already.
Per usual, the American Thanksgiving holiday on Thursday begins from an NFL perspective from Detroit, with the Lions this year hosting the Houston Texans, who opened as 2.5-point favourites on the NFL odds with a total of 51.
NFL Week 12 Point Spread and Betting Analysis
These two franchises don’t have much in common but I can think of two things: They are two of four active teams (Browns and Jaguars the others) to never even play in a Super Bowl. The Texans one can somewhat understand as they have only been around since 2002. The Lions, though, are one of the NFL’s oldest franchises and have no excuse.
The second thing in common is neither team will have the same head coach Week 1 of the 2021 season than it did to start 2020. Houston fired Bill O’Brien following a Week 4 loss. The Texans have played a bit better under interim Romeo Crennel, and he might get the job for 2021 only as a bit of a transition year but at age 73 (oldest coach in NFL history) he’s not the long-term guy. Meanwhile, the only way Matt Patricia is back for a fourth season in 2021 is if the Lions somehow streak into the playoffs this winter. Highly unlikely.
This is the biggest annual home game for the Lions, but there will be no fans allowed at Ford Field with the coronavirus raging in Michigan. Houston defeated Detroit 34-31 in overtime in 2012 in the Texans’ first-ever Thanksgiving appearance and they have won each of the last three meetings in the series. The teams only play each other once every four years.
Houston Texans
Houston had been 2-0 vs. Jacksonville this season and winless against everyone else but upset the visiting New England Patriots on Sunday, 27-20. Deshaun Watson threw for 344 yards and two scores and also rushed for a touchdown. Watson tied a career high with his fifth game with 300 or more passing yards in a season.
The Texans played without Pro Bowl left tackle Laremy Tunsil due to flu-like symptoms – there was a bug going around the team last week but all COVID-19 testing was negative. Receivers Randall Cobb and Kenny Stills both left injured and it’s too early to tell if either will get back by Thursday, but the quick turnaround obviously doesn’t help.
Detroit Lions
If the Lions were playing on Sunday in Week 12 instead of Thursday, Patricia might be fired today. His team looked absolutely disinterested in a 20-0 loss at Carolina on Sunday with the Panthers missing their starting QB and All-Pro running back. It was the first time the Lions had been blanked in 11 years.
Matthew Stafford played through a ligament injury on his throwing thumb and didn’t look good, completing 18 of 33 for 178 yards. Rookie running back D’Andre Swift didn’t play due to a concussion. Receivers Kenny Golladay (a Pro Bowler in 2019) and Danny Amendola also sat with injuries.
NFL Prediction: Who Will Win Texans vs. Lions?
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time | fav | line | total |
---|---|---|---|
Opening 23 Nov 2:02am | HOU | -2.5 -110 | O +51 -109 |
Closing 26 Nov 5:36pm | HOU | -3 -113 | O +52.5 -109 |
- Regular Season
Texans Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
8 |
Rushing |
691 |
Passing |
4823 |
Receiving |
81 |
Sacks |
5 |
Interceptions |
1 |
Touchdowns |
10 |
Rushing |
604 |
Passing |
4084 |
Receiving |
76 |
Sacks |
10 |
Interceptions |
2 |
- Regular Season
Lions Team Leaders
Touchdowns |
8 |
Rushing |
691 |
Passing |
4823 |
Receiving |
81 |
Sacks |
5 |
Interceptions |
1 |
Touchdowns |
10 |
Rushing |
604 |
Passing |
4084 |
Receiving |
76 |
Sacks |
10 |
Interceptions |
2 |
Weather

temp | 68 |
condition | dome |
wind | West 12mph |
Injuries
Daren Bates (LB)
Keke Coutee (WR)
Daren Bates (LB)
Eric Murray (S)
Brent Qvale (T)
Whitney Mercilus (LB)
Tytus Howard (T)
Duke Johnson (RB)
Lonnie Johnson Jr. (CB)
Cornell Armstrong (CB)
Joe Dahl (G)
Matthew Stafford (QB)
Matt Prater (K)
Jayron Kearse (S)
Taylor Decker (T)
Matthew Stafford (QB)
Jamie Collins Sr. (LB)
Mike Ford (CB)
John Penisini (DL)
Frank Ragnow (OL)
Injuries
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Daren Bates (LB) | Prob Sun | Hip - 06 / 01 / 21 | 0-0 | 0-0 | + - |
Bates has a hip injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active versus the Ravens in the AFC Wild Card game. |
|||||
Keke Coutee (WR) | Ques Sun | Foot - 30 / 12 / 20 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Coutee is dealing with a foot injury, and it remains to be seen if he will line up against the Titans on Sunday. |
|||||
Daren Bates (LB) | Ques Sun | Hip - 30 / 12 / 20 | 0-1 | 1-0 | + - |
Bates is managing a hip injury, and it is uncertain if he will face the Texans on Sunday. |
|||||
Eric Murray (S) | Out indefinitely | Illness - 27 / 12 / 20 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Murray has been assigned to the COVID-19 list, and it is uncertain how long he will take to pass protocol. |
|||||
Brent Qvale (T) | I-R | Concussion - 27 / 12 / 20 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Qvale has landed on the injured reserve list with a concussion, and will be inactive for an unknown length of time. |
|||||
Whitney Mercilus (LB) | I-R | Illness - 26 / 12 / 20 | 1-1 | 1-1 | + - |
Mercilus has landed on the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list, and it is unknown how long it will take for him to be cleared to return. |
|||||
Tytus Howard (T) | Out indefinitely | Concussion - 20 / 12 / 20 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Howard has popped up on the injured reserve list due to a concussion, and there is no timetable for return. |
|||||
Duke Johnson (RB) | Out Sun | Neck - 19 / 12 / 20 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Johnson has sat out the last two games due to a neck injury, and he will not take on the Titans on Sunday. |
|||||
Lonnie Johnson Jr. (CB) | Ques Sun | Knee - 19 / 12 / 20 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Johnson Jr. is tending to a knee injury, and his status for Sunday's matchup versus the Colts is in question. |
|||||
Cornell Armstrong (CB) | Ques Sun | Hamstring - 17 / 12 / 20 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Armstrong is hobbled by a hamstring injury, and it is up in the air if it will keep him off the field Sunday versus the Colts. |
player (position) | status | ats*current | o/u* | notes | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Joe Dahl (G) | Out Sun | Back - 30 / 12 / 20 | 0-1 | 0-1 | + - |
Dahl is bothered by a neck injury, and he will not face the Vikings on Sunday. |
|||||
Matthew Stafford (QB) | Doub Sun | Ankle - 26 / 12 / 20 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Stafford left the last game with an ankle sprain, and he is not expected to take the field against the Vikings on Sunday. |
|||||
Matt Prater (K) | Ques Sat | Back - 24 / 12 / 20 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Prater has a sore back and it is unknown if he will be available to face the Buccaneers on Saturday. |
|||||
Jayron Kearse (S) | day-to-day | Hip - 24 / 12 / 20 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Kearse missed the last game with a hip injury, and it is up in the air if he will be good to go against the Vikings in Week 17. |
|||||
Taylor Decker (T) | Ques Sat | Groin - 22 / 12 / 20 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Decker is nursing a groin injury, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Buccaneers on Saturday. |
|||||
Matthew Stafford (QB) | Ques Sat | Ribs - 22 / 12 / 20 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Stafford is hampered by injuries to his ribs and right thumb, and it has yet to be determined if he will participate in Saturday's matchup with the Buccaneers. |
|||||
Jamie Collins Sr. (LB) | Out Sun | Neck - 22 / 12 / 20 | 0-2 | 1-1 | + - |
Collins Sr. sat out the last game with a neck injury, and he will not participate in S unday's contest against the Vikings. |
|||||
Mike Ford (CB) | Ques Sat | Foot - 20 / 12 / 20 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Ford departed the last contest with a foot injury, leaving his availability against the Buccaneers on Saturday clouded. |
|||||
John Penisini (DL) | Ques Sun | Shoulder - 17 / 12 / 20 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Penisini has a shoulder injury, and it is unknown if it will keep him off the lineup card Sunday against the Titans. |
|||||
Frank Ragnow (OL) | Out indefinitely | Throat - 16 / 12 / 20 | 1-2 | 1-2 | + - |
Ragnow will miss an extended period due to a fractured throat. |
-
HOUSTON TEXANS
27 -
DETROIT LIONS
24
Score
Prediction
-
Line History
Sports Interaction customers are placing their bets on:
time fav line total Opening 23 Nov 2:02am HOU -2.5 -110 O +51 -109 Closing 26 Nov 5:36pm HOU -3 -113 O +52.5 -109 -
- Regular Season
Texans Team Leaders
Touchdowns 8
Rushing 691
Passing 4823
Receiving 81
Sacks 5
Interceptions 1
Touchdowns 10
Rushing 604
Passing 4084
Receiving 76
Sacks 10
Interceptions 2
-
- Regular Season
Lions Team Leaders
Touchdowns 8
Rushing 691
Passing 4823
Receiving 81
Sacks 5
Interceptions 1
Touchdowns 10
Rushing 604
Passing 4084
Receiving 76
Sacks 10
Interceptions 2
-
Weather
temp 68 condition dome wind West 12mph -
Injuries
Daren Bates (LB)
Prob Sun Hip - 06 / 01 / 21Keke Coutee (WR)
Ques Sun Foot - 30 / 12 / 20Daren Bates (LB)
Ques Sun Hip - 30 / 12 / 20Eric Murray (S)
Out indefinitely Illness - 27 / 12 / 20Brent Qvale (T)
I-R Concussion - 27 / 12 / 20Whitney Mercilus (LB)
I-R Illness - 26 / 12 / 20Tytus Howard (T)
Out indefinitely Concussion - 20 / 12 / 20Duke Johnson (RB)
Out Sun Neck - 19 / 12 / 20Lonnie Johnson Jr. (CB)
Ques Sun Knee - 19 / 12 / 20Cornell Armstrong (CB)
Ques Sun Hamstring - 17 / 12 / 20Joe Dahl (G)
Out Sun Back - 30 / 12 / 20Matthew Stafford (QB)
Doub Sun Ankle - 26 / 12 / 20Matt Prater (K)
Ques Sat Back - 24 / 12 / 20Jayron Kearse (S)
day-to-day Hip - 24 / 12 / 20Taylor Decker (T)
Ques Sat Groin - 22 / 12 / 20Matthew Stafford (QB)
Ques Sat Ribs - 22 / 12 / 20Jamie Collins Sr. (LB)
Out Sun Neck - 22 / 12 / 20Mike Ford (CB)
Ques Sat Foot - 20 / 12 / 20John Penisini (DL)
Ques Sun Shoulder - 17 / 12 / 20Frank Ragnow (OL)
Out indefinitely Throat - 16 / 12 / 20Injuries
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Daren Bates (LB) Prob Sun Hip - 06 / 01 / 21 0-0 0-0 + - Bates has a hip injury, but it is anticipated that he will be active versus the Ravens in the AFC Wild Card game.
Keke Coutee (WR) Ques Sun Foot - 30 / 12 / 20 0-1 1-0 + - Coutee is dealing with a foot injury, and it remains to be seen if he will line up against the Titans on Sunday.
Daren Bates (LB) Ques Sun Hip - 30 / 12 / 20 0-1 1-0 + - Bates is managing a hip injury, and it is uncertain if he will face the Texans on Sunday.
Eric Murray (S) Out indefinitely Illness - 27 / 12 / 20 1-1 1-1 + - Murray has been assigned to the COVID-19 list, and it is uncertain how long he will take to pass protocol.
Brent Qvale (T) I-R Concussion - 27 / 12 / 20 1-1 1-1 + - Qvale has landed on the injured reserve list with a concussion, and will be inactive for an unknown length of time.
Whitney Mercilus (LB) I-R Illness - 26 / 12 / 20 1-1 1-1 + - Mercilus has landed on the Injured Reserve/COVID-19 list, and it is unknown how long it will take for him to be cleared to return.
Tytus Howard (T) Out indefinitely Concussion - 20 / 12 / 20 1-2 1-2 + - Howard has popped up on the injured reserve list due to a concussion, and there is no timetable for return.
Duke Johnson (RB) Out Sun Neck - 19 / 12 / 20 1-2 1-2 + - Johnson has sat out the last two games due to a neck injury, and he will not take on the Titans on Sunday.
Lonnie Johnson Jr. (CB) Ques Sun Knee - 19 / 12 / 20 1-2 1-2 + - Johnson Jr. is tending to a knee injury, and his status for Sunday's matchup versus the Colts is in question.
Cornell Armstrong (CB) Ques Sun Hamstring - 17 / 12 / 20 1-2 1-2 + - Armstrong is hobbled by a hamstring injury, and it is up in the air if it will keep him off the field Sunday versus the Colts.
player (position) status ats*current o/u* notes Joe Dahl (G) Out Sun Back - 30 / 12 / 20 0-1 0-1 + - Dahl is bothered by a neck injury, and he will not face the Vikings on Sunday.
Matthew Stafford (QB) Doub Sun Ankle - 26 / 12 / 20 0-2 1-1 + - Stafford left the last game with an ankle sprain, and he is not expected to take the field against the Vikings on Sunday.
Matt Prater (K) Ques Sat Back - 24 / 12 / 20 0-2 1-1 + - Prater has a sore back and it is unknown if he will be available to face the Buccaneers on Saturday.
Jayron Kearse (S) day-to-day Hip - 24 / 12 / 20 0-2 1-1 + - Kearse missed the last game with a hip injury, and it is up in the air if he will be good to go against the Vikings in Week 17.
Taylor Decker (T) Ques Sat Groin - 22 / 12 / 20 0-2 1-1 + - Decker is nursing a groin injury, and it remains to be seen if he will play against the Buccaneers on Saturday.
Matthew Stafford (QB) Ques Sat Ribs - 22 / 12 / 20 0-2 1-1 + - Stafford is hampered by injuries to his ribs and right thumb, and it has yet to be determined if he will participate in Saturday's matchup with the Buccaneers.
Jamie Collins Sr. (LB) Out Sun Neck - 22 / 12 / 20 0-2 1-1 + - Collins Sr. sat out the last game with a neck injury, and he will not participate in S unday's contest against the Vikings.
Mike Ford (CB) Ques Sat Foot - 20 / 12 / 20 1-2 1-2 + - Ford departed the last contest with a foot injury, leaving his availability against the Buccaneers on Saturday clouded.
John Penisini (DL) Ques Sun Shoulder - 17 / 12 / 20 1-2 1-2 + - Penisini has a shoulder injury, and it is unknown if it will keep him off the lineup card Sunday against the Titans.
Frank Ragnow (OL) Out indefinitely Throat - 16 / 12 / 20 1-2 1-2 + - Ragnow will miss an extended period due to a fractured throat.