NFL Week 13: The Ultimate Guide to Thanksgiving Day Action

There's only one thing more mouthwatering than a delicious Thanksgiving menu of turkey, stuffing and all the other trimmings—and that's a delectable three-pack of NFL games on Thanksgiving, all rife with playoff implications. Delicious!

Each of the three contests emanate from the loaded NFC and carry a high level of importance. In fact, all three could arguably be labeled as "must-wins" for each team, making it the most fascinating Thanksgiving schedule in quite some time.

In this column, you'll be brought up to speed on what you need to know for each game and the most important matchups contained within. We'll also provide a prediction for all three tilts (against the spread, naturally).

Here is the ultimate guide to Thanksgiving Day action.

What You Need to Know: Chicago at Detroit

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

For the Chicago Bears, the road trip to Detroit, set for 12:30 p.m. ET, represents their third consecutive must-win game.

After falling to 3-6, the Bears pulled themselves off the mat with back-to-back home triumphs over the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But even though the Bears won both games, they didn't look particularly impressive in either and face a stiff step up in competition with the 7-4 Detroit Lions. A loss would send the Bears careening to 5-7 and likely put an end to their flickering playoff hopes.

In turn, that could also spell the beginning of the end for Bears coach Marc Trestman in Chicago. Trestman has come under fire this year for his team's poor play, and another series of grotesque losses could mean his ousting at season's end.

Meanwhile, the Lions have lost two consecutive games (at Arizona, at New England). A win against either team would have meant the Lions were ready for prime time, but now it appears as if they are more pretenders than contenders as it concerns the Super Bowl.

Detroit is now in second behind the 8-3 Green Bay Packers in the NFC North. And even though the Lions beat the Packers earlier in the season in Motown, a Week 17 matchup at Lambeau Field awaits, so the Lions need to bank victories now while they can. A home tilt with Chicago certainly qualifies as a winnable affair.

Simply put: This is a game that neither team can afford to lose. 

Matchups to Watch: Chicago at Detroit

Carlos Osorio/Associated Press

The Lions have struggled on offense throughout the season, only topping 24 points one time (a Week 1, 35-14 victory over the New York Giants). They've dealt with nagging injuries to star receiver Calvin Johnson (ankle) and running backs Reggie Bush (ankle) and Joique Bell (ankle), among others, and are averaging fewer than 18 points per game as a result.

Thankfully for the Lions, the tonic that ails them could be the Bears defense, which has resembled an especially moldy piece of Swiss cheese throughout the year. Chicago is allowing nearly 28 points per game, and it's hard to imagine the Bears holding down Johnson or his partner in crime, Golden Tate. If there were ever a game that could kick-start the Lions' flailing offense, this would be it.

As for the Bears: It's clear that they're a much more effective team when they can lean on their running game, specifically star back Matt Forte. Unfortunately for them, they're facing the league's top-ranked rushing defense, as the Lions are only allowing 3.1 yards per carry. If this is a game where Bears quarterback Jay Cutler needs to throw 40 times to win, Chicago will have no chance and will likely get blown out.

If the Bears harbor any hopes of an upset, they have to expect their offensive line can clear some lanes for Forte. If they can't run the ball, forget about it. The Lions will win by double digits.

Prediction: Chicago at Detroit

Rick Osentoski/Associated Press

The Line: Chicago at Detroit (-7)

While the Bears are riding a two-game winning streak, home victories over the Vikings and Buccaneers are nothing to boast about. And when you add in the fact that the Bears struggled in both games, it's easy to see how their record sits at 5-6.

And despite the Lions' two straight losses, at least both of their defeats came on the road against the teams with the best record in the NFC (9-2 Arizona Cardinals) and AFC (9-2 New England Patriots). It feels as if their struggling offense is simmering and ready to explode.

This profiles as a classic "Jay Cutler Game," and no, that's not a good thing for Bears fans. If the Bears are unable to run the football (the smart money says that will be the case), then Cutler is going to need to throw it in excess of 35 times to keep his team in the game.

And yeah, that won't end well for Chicago.

Expect Cutler to turn the ball over at least three times and for Matthew Stafford and Detroit's passing offense to get back on track. Johnson and Tate will both catch touchdown passes as the Lions improve to 8-4 and send the Bears spiraling to 5-7.

The Pick: Detroit (-7)

What You Need to Know: Philadelphia at Dallas

Michael Perez/Associated Press

The second course in the delectable Thanksgiving triple-header is a doozy, as the Philadelphia Eagles and Cowboys will tussle in Dallas at 4:30 p.m. ET to determine the first-place team in the NFC East.

With both clubs currently sitting at 8-3 (and set to play again on Dec. 14 in Philadelphia), this is a critical contest, and both teams are surely aware of the high stakes.

The Eagles are coming off a home thrashing of the Tennessee Titans, but they currently have more questions than answers. Since Mark Sanchez took over as starting quarterback for the injured Nick Foles, the Eagles are 2-1. But the two wins both came at home against bottom-feeders (Carolina and Tennessee), and the sole loss was on the road against against elite competition (Green Bay).

This game should provide a real test as to where the 2014 Eagles stand.

Meanwhile, the Cowboys have lived a (mostly) charmed life this season. Since a back injury to quarterback Tony Romo greatly contributed to back-to-back losses, the Cowboys have righted the ship with two consecutive wins, including a come-from-behind victory this past Sunday night on the road against the division-rival Giants.

The Dallas defense has been much better than expected, running back DeMarco Murray is a legitimate MVP candidate and Romo is coming up aces when it matters the most. And, oh yeah, Jason Garrett has morphed into an outstanding in-game coach.

This matchup is going to be outstanding to watch. 

Matchups to Watch: Philadelphia at Dallas

Michael Perez/Associated Press

The Eagles have run their record to 8-3 despite a not-so-vintage season from star running back LeSean McCoy. The man known affectionately as Shady has only scored three rushing touchdowns and is averaging just 4.0 yards per carry.

But McCoy exploded this past Sunday against the Titans, rushing 21 times for 130 yards (6.2 yards per carry) and a touchdown. While Tennessee's run defense will remind no one of the '85 Bears, it had to make Eagles fans (and fantasy owners) very happy to see McCoy get off the schneid.

With Sanchez seemingly always ready to degenerate into a living, breathing turnover, it would certainly behoove the Eagles to get McCoy going early and often on Thursday against Dallas.

But it's still imperative that Sanchez is careful with the football. He's turned the ball over eight times in four games (six interceptions, two fumbles), which mitigates his playmaking potential on offense. If he continues to play hot potato with the pigskin on Thanksgiving, the Eagles will likely lose.

For Dallas, there's no doubt that the points will come. Philadelphia's defense isn't especially imposing, and Romo is operating at a high level and has a number of explosive weapons to work with (Murray and stud receiver Dez Bryant chief among them).

The question will be whether Dallas can contain McCoy and the Eagles offense. McCoy has averaged over five yards per carry against Dallas in his career (eight games), and if the Cowboys want to win, they'll have to keep Eagles coach Chip Kelly's high-flying offense in check.

Prediction: Philadelphia at Dallas

Kathy Willens/Associated Press

The Line: Philadelphia at Dallas (-3)

For the Dallas Cowboys, the 2014 season has basically been one giant remake of the classic Seinfeld episode, "The Opposite."

In that uproarious 22 minutes of television, character George Costanza—one of life's great losers—decides that moving forward, he's going to do everything the opposite of what he's done in the past. And lo and behold, he starts finding success!

This year, the Dallas Cowboys are Costanza. After three consecutive 8-8 campaigns and losing the NFC East title on the season's final day last year, they are now doing the opposite of what they've done in the past. And lo and behold, they're now 8-3 and in a tie for first place in the NFC East.

Romo no longer throws the backbreaking interception—instead, he tosses the game-winning touchdown and gets to smile in the postgame interview. Garrett no longer makes mistakes in clock and game management so gruesome that it'd make Herman Edwards blush—he's now the man behind the machine and is currently wearing the mask of a genius.

While the Eagles certainly have a playoff-caliber club, their quarterback is still Sanchez, and we know how the that movie ends: in hideous failure. 

In yet the latest "Opposite" chapter of the Cowboys' season, they will win a critical game—late in the season—against a division rival that will pull them one step closer to their first playoff berth since 2009.

Opposite indeed.

The Pick: Dallas (-3)

What You Need to Know: Seattle at San Francisco

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

It's always sweet when the best course is saved for last, and in the case of the NFL's Thanksgiving triple-header, that is unquestionably the case.

That's because the NFL's most intense rivalry—the Seahawks and 49ers—will be renewed, this time in San Francisco at 8:30 p.m. ET.

And while these two clubs have spent the past few seasons battling for NFC supremacy, this contest could instead serve as a potential elimination bout for a wild-card spot.

With Arizona (9-2) holding a two-game lead over both the Seahawks (7-4) and 49ers (7-4)—and a very jumbled NFC playoff picture also in consideration—it's possible that the loser of this matchup could find itself on the outside looking in.

The last time these two teams met it was this past January in the NFC Championship Game in Seattle. The Seahawks pulled out the victory in the closing moments of what was an epic game and went on to win the Super Bowl. The 49ers can't help but think what might have been and have surely been plotting revenge ever since.

After a middling 4-4 start, the 49ers have won three straight games to get back on track but haven't been especially impressive in victory. But all that matters is winning, and if they can beat Seattle, their mojo will certainly skyrocket.

For Seattle, a 7-4 mark is probably not what it expected after winning the Super Bowl. But the bottom line is that the Seahawks just beat the first-place Cardinals and have to be feeling good about themselves.

Quarterback Russell Wilson is particularly excited about the opportunity to play on Thanksgiving, saying, via Seahawks.com, "I’m excited about this short week. It’s a great time to really emphasize the idea of visualization, and using that as much as you can and just capitalizing on those moments."

This is going to be a heavyweight fight wherein haymakers abound. We can't wait for it either.

Matchups to Watch: Seattle at San Francisco

Marcio Jose Sanchez/Associated Press

As per usual, the 49ers rush defense has been stout, with the team only allowing 4.0 yards per carry. It'll be imperative for Seattle to get star back Marshawn Lynch going, particularly with its passing game struggling (quarterback Russell Wilson has only gone over 200 passing yards once in the club's last five games), and that is always difficult against San Francisco's front.

For the 49ers, much will depend on rookie linebacker Chris Borland's play. With star linebacker NaVorro Bowman still out after tearing his ACL in the NFC Championship Game, Borland will need to continue his sterling play to hold down the Seahawks' imposing ground game.

San Francisco quarterback Colin Kaepernick will also need to elevate his game to see his team to victory. His play has been uneven throughout the season, and more of the same here will likely spell doom for the 49ers.

While it's a time-honored football cliche, it's true that whichever team takes better care of the football will win. When you have two hard-nosed, physical rivals like the Seahawks and 49ers going head-to-head, it's significantly more likely the team that is careless with the football will lose.

The onus will be on Wilson and Kaepernick to make smart decisions to keep their respective teams in the ballgame. 

Prediction: Seattle at San Francisco

LM Otero/Associated Press

The Line: Seattle at San Francisco (-1)

For true football fans (gamblers and otherwise), nirvana is reached when two powerhouses—with a ton to play for—square off in prime time.

And the cherry on top of the already delicious sundae is that Thursday night's tilt between the Seahawks and 49ers will cap off a fantastic Thanksgiving. We're already excited about stumbling over to the couch in a tryptophan-induced coma, parking our keisters and enjoying a three-hour slugfest featuring the NFL's biggest rivals.

In the last five games these titans have met (including playoffs), the home team has emerged victorious each time. Ergo, an advantage must be given to the 49ers, who will host Seattle in the friendly confines of Levi's Stadium.

If the game was in Seattle, we would pick the Seahawks. But it's in San Francisco, so we'll take the 49ers.

Expect a tight, hard-fought game that the 49ers will close out at the end thanks to Frank Gore's strong running.

The Pick: San Francisco (-1)

Lines data courtesy of Odds Shark.