NFL Thanksgiving: Hannah Wilkes picks out her issues to be pleased about forward of Thursday triple-header

Hannah Wilkes

Her Huddle Presenter & NFL Reporter

From the Dallas Cowboys to the dearly departed John Madden, Sky Sports’ Hannah Wilkes picks out issues to be pleased about this Thanksgiving; Thursday night time triple-header – Bills @ Lions, Giants @ Cowboys and Patriots @ Vikings – stay on Sky Sports NFL from 5.30pm

The Dallas Cowboys historically play on Thanksgiving and can host the New York Giants this 12 months

Sky Sports’ Hannah Wilkes previews the NFL’s Thanksgiving Day triple-header on Thursday and picks out a couple of issues to be pleased about forward of the feast of soccer…

1) The wild journey that’s the 2022 season

Sure, we suppose we all know who’ll nonetheless be taking part in in late January (the Kansas City Chiefs, at all times) however one week the Minnesota Vikings (8-2) are beating the Buffalo Bills (7-3) in THE-GAME-OF-THE-SEASON, and the following they’re placing up all of three factors in Dallas and being shredded to the tune of 40 by the Cowboys (7-3). The Philadelphia Eagles (9-1) appeared unstoppable after which have been duly introduced again all the way down to earth by the Washington Commanders (6-5). The Green Bay Packers (4-7) are all however out of playoff rivalry, whereas the Detroit Lions (4-6) are on a three-game win streak. Madness.

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There was a wild finish to the sport between Buffalo Bills and Minnesota Vikings with the Bills defence holding up the Vikings offense on the goal-line, earlier than gifting them a landing with a fumble after which in some way forcing time beyond regulation!

The parity within the league is taking part in out recreation to recreation too: per NFL Research coming into Week 12 there have been 72 video games determined by a landing or much less (that is essentially the most in league historical past) and 39 video games have been determined by a game-winning rating within the last two minutes of both regulation or time beyond regulation. Our nails could also be chewed all the way down to the wick however are we not utterly and completely entertained?!

2) ‘The season hasn’t actually began but’*

So says New England Patriots head coach Bill Belichick, who famously places forth that it is after Thanksgiving that the season actually will get going.

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Patriots rookie Marcus Jones returned a Jets punt for a wild 84-yard landing to win it for the hosts with 5 seconds to go of their Week 11 conflict

Good information for his Patriots then, who began the season 1-3 however have come again to sit down 6-4 and third within the ultra-competitive AFC East the place everybody remains to be within the playoff combine (theoretically). It’s additionally a reminder for the likes of the Eagles and the Vikings that though they’ve chalked up commanding information to date, they must preserve their foot on the gasoline, and keep wholesome, for one more seven weeks.

I’d argue it is also excellent news for the Bills who’ve hit a street bump precisely when a ‘Super Bowl window workforce’ desires to; in November. Fumble your snaps, throw some interceptions and lose shut video games now so the teachings are discovered nicely forward of the postseason in January/February.

*not relevant to Fantasy Football

3) The Dallas Cowboys

Ok, I stated it. I do know. But ‘America’s Team’ taking part in nicely is nice for enterprise, it is good for the sport, and it is good for his or her ever-confident followers who lastly have some proof to again it up.

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A have a look at the very best offensive performs by the Dallas Cowboys from the 2022 season to this point

Quarterback Dak Prescott seems good on the market. Running again Tony Pollard is unstoppable. Wide receiver CeeDee Lamb retains on getting higher. And the protection is fierce! It’s additionally trying like a coin flip between them and the New York Giants to signal celebrity free agent wideout Odell Beckham Jr. They’re ascending on the optimum time and, at this exact second in time, would possibly simply be my NFC Super Bowl decide… YIKES!

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A glance again to Odell Beckham Jr’s iconic one-handed catch in opposition to the Cowboys from eight years in the past

Here’s a Thanksgiving nugget for you (or maybe a stuffing ball?!); the Cowboys have received seven and averaged 25.1 factors per recreation by way of their opening 10 video games, with two totally different QBs. That’s consistency within the face of adversity. And such a report places them alongside Super Bowl-winning groups just like the 1980 Raiders, 1972 Dolphins and 1969 Chiefs.

Their Thanksgiving Day matchup in opposition to the Giants is essential, with each groups sitting 7-3 and combating for second spot within the NFC East behind the Eagles. There is one obvious weak spot for each groups; their run protection. Slightly mind-boggling that Dallas might be first in opposition to the cross however twenty sixth in opposition to the run, however that speaks to the supreme expertise of star defensive again Trevon Diggs. The Giants, in the meantime, are twenty fifth in opposition to the run, and mid-tier in opposition to the cross, so in the event you occur to have Saquon Barkley, Pollard, or Ezekiel Elliott in your Fantasy workforce, you’ll be able to count on to feast come Thursday night time.

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Watch the very best highlight-reel performs from New York Giants working again Saquon Barkley to this point this season

4) John Madden

The legendary NFL coach and broadcaster handed away final December and this Thanksgiving is the inaugural ‘John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration’, with all the US broadcasters paying tribute to an icon of the sport. The John Madden emblem will even characteristic on each subject and on all the helmets worn by the gamers.

John Madden, who grew to become synonymous with Thanksgiving within the NFL as a broadcaster, sadly handed away in December final 12 months

There are folks much more certified than I to talk to his greatness, however in relation to the particular relationship between soccer and Thanksgiving, there may be maybe nobody who summed it up extra completely:

“There are just certain things that go together; the turkey, the family, the tradition, the football…and we have it all today,” Madden stated.

Enjoy each second of the Thanksgiving Thursday triple-header stay on Sky Sports, indulge within the nice meals and, above all, absorb being a part of the soccer household. Happy Thanksgiving everybody!

Watch the Thanksgiving Thursday triple-header – Bills @ Lions, Giants @ Cowboys and Patriots @ Vikings – stay on Sky Sports NFL from 5.30pm, Thursday