DETROIT (AP) — The Thanksgiving Day football lineup features four NFL teams with losing records, starting with the 3-7 Houston Texans at 4-6 Detroit. The Lions were shut out last week for the first time since 2009, and a loss to the Texans would make it difficult to play meaningful games in December. Houston is closing out the season with an interim leader. The Texans fired coach and general manager Bill O’Brien after an 0-4 start. Houston promoted 73-year-old Romeo Crennel to interim coach and he is 3-3.
ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Alex Smith and Andy Dalton have 25 years of experience combined as NFL quarterbacks but just one Thanksgiving start between them. The veterans whose teams didn’t expect them to be in charge of the Washington and Dallas offenses when the season started will meet today at the home of the Cowboys. And that’s not the only improbable storyline. Despite both clubs being 3-7, the winner will be in first place in the NFC East for at least a few days.
PITTSBURGH (AP) — The best game on the NFL’s Thanksgiving schedule won’t happen tonight. The game between the 6-4 Baltimore Ravens and 10-0 Pittsburgh Steelers has been postponed until Sunday afternoon due to coronavirus concerns. Baltimore placed outside linebacker Pernell McPhee on the reserve/COVID-19 list, joining running backs Mark Ingram and J.K. Dobbins and defensive tackle Brandon Williams. The Ravens also have been doing team work virtually.