Popular Bob's Week 13 NFL Forecast: Turkey Day tripleheader gets the action started

Today's Turkey Day tripleheader opens Week 13 of the NFL season and kicks off when the Lions play host to Green Bay in the 23rd Thanksgiving meeting in Detroit.

In their most recent holiday meeting, the Packers won 29-22 in 2023 as an 8-point underdog. That's the biggest Turkey Day upset for any team in Detroit since 1968 when winless Philadelphia, which was a 12-point dog, beat the Lions 12-0.

Here's a look at the weekend schedule:

THURSDAY

---> Green Bay Packers (7-3-1) at Detroit Lions (8-4), 11 a.m.

Lions -3 (48 O/U)

Forecast: Packers 23, Lions 20

The Packers have their warts. But this week they'll be getting back RB Josh Jacobs and have a defense that just smothered Minnesota. Detroit, meanwhile, needed overtime to beat the Giants. Sheesh!

---> Kansas City Chiefs (6-5) at Dallas Cowboys (5-5-1), 2:30 p.m.

Chiefs -3 (52.5 O/U)

Forecast: Chiefs 31, Cowboys 21

The Cowboys haven't been this big a Thanksgiving underdog since 2010. Last week KC and Dallas rallied at home from double-digit deficits. But this time Dallas' foe surely won't commit 14 penalties.

---> Cincinnati Bengals (3-8) at Baltimore Ravens (6-5), 6:20 p.m.

Ravens -7 (51.5 O/U)

Forecast: Ravens 30, Bengals 13

Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow is expected to return after sitting out nine games (turf toe). Without him the Bengals went 1-8. But even though Cincinnati was 2-0 in Burrow's starts, he's no savior. The team generated only 141 yards in the opener, the fewest for a winning team the past eight seasons.

FRIDAY

---> Chicago Bears (8-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (8-3), 1 p.m.

Eagles -7 (44 O/U)

Forecast: Eagles 20, Bears 10

Six defensive starters for Chicago were out for last week's victory over Pittsburgh. All six were still questionable Wednesday. Eagles RB Saquon Barkley should be able to thrive.

SUNDAY

---> San Francisco 49ers (8-4) at Cleveland Browns (3-8), 11 a.m.

49ers -5 (36.5 O/U)

Forecast: Browns 16, 49ers 14

This week's scheduling atomic wedgie goes to San Francisco, which not only will be playing on short rest after its MNF home win over Carolina but having to travel across three time zones to face a team that got a league season-high 10 sacks last week.

---> Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4) at Tennessee Titans (1-10), 11 a.m.

Jaguars -6.5 (41.5 O/U)

Forecast: Jaguars 28, Titans 16

The Jags are coming off a 27-24 victory at Arizona that was remarkable considering they overcame a minus-4 turnover margin. Over the past three seasons, teams had been 24-0 with at least such an edge.

---> Houston Texans (6-5) at Indianapolis Colts (8-3), 11 a.m.

Colts -4 (44 O/U)

Forecast: Texans 24, Colts 17

Houston, off a win over Buffalo last Thursday, takes on a Colts team that collapsed late in its OT loss at KC on Sunday. FYI: Teams that have pseudo byes and playing a team on normal rest have gone 4-0 ATS the past three weeks.

---> New Orleans Saints (2-9) at Miami Dolphins (4-7), 11 a.m.

Dolphins -6 (41.5 O/U)

Forecast: Dolphins 26, Saints 14

---> Atlanta Falcons (4-7) at NY Jets (2-9), 11 a.m.

Falcons -2.5 (39.5 O/U)

Forecast: Falcons 28, Jets 21

---> Arizona Cardinals (3-8) at Tampa Bay Bucs (6-5), 11 a.m.

Bucs -2.5 (43 O/U)

Forecast: Bucs 23, Cardinals 17

The Bucs will be counting on QB Baker Mayfield to return (strained left shoulder).

That seems iffy. But top RB Bucky Irving is expected back.

---> LA Rams (9-2) at Carolina Panthers (6-6), 11 a.m.

Rams -10.5 (44.5 O/U)

Forecast: Rams 30, Panthers 27

This week Carolina surely will come to its senses and let standout RB Rico Dowdle rush more than six times.

---> Minnesota Vikings (4-7) at Seattle Seahawks (8-3), 2:05 p.m.

Seahawks -11.5 (41 O/U)

Forecast: Seahawks 31, Vikings 9

Seattle will be facing either the league's worst-rated QB, J.J. McCarthy (concussion protocol), or undrafted rookie Max Brosmer.

---> Buffalo Bills (7-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5), 2:25 p.m.

Bills -3.5 (45.5 O/U)

Forecast: Bills 24, Steelers 16

Pittsburgh QB Aaron Rodgers is expected to return after sitting out last week with a left wrist fracture. Well-rested Buffalo will surely take aim at that limb.

---> Las Vegas Raiders (2-9) at LA Chargers (7-4), 2:25 p.m.

Chargers -9.5 (40.5 O/U)

Forecast: Chargers 28, Raiders 13

---> Denver Broncos (9-2) at Washington Commanders (3-8), 6:20 p.m.

Broncos -5.5 (43.5 O/U)

Forecast: Broncos 38, Commanders 19

Washington QB Jayden Daniels (dislocated elbow) is still not expected to play. Denver, off a bye, should roll.

MONDAY

---> NY Giants (2-10) at New England Patriots (10-2), 6:15 p.m.

Patriots -7.5 (45.5 O/U)

Forecast: Patriots 28, Giants 19

RECORDS

Last week's forecast: 5-8-1 ATS; 8-6 straight up

Season total: 82-88-6 ATS; 110-61-1 SU