ProFootballDoc: Injury Info Can Help On Turkey Day Wagers

Today, we can still be thankful for a partial day of football. The full day went away once the Ravens at Steelers primetime contest was pushed back to Sunday due to COVID risk.

We posted all three games as line movers when the lines were posted last Sunday, and we saw advantages to all of them. In video documented at www.profootballdoc.com, early action would have landed the better line, and the Ravens/Steelers game offered an opportunity to get a huge middle. The line opened at PIT -2.5 and moved to BAL +4.5 as predicted, based on the health issues of the Ravens front seven. Now the game has been delayed.

The other two games were also line movers, and getting in early would have gotten you favored numbers without paying extra. 

The Texans are the healthier side by a grade, and early action would have gotten a favorable -2.5 instead of -3.

Lions hurting on offensive side

On Sunday afternoon, we called out four key Lions offensive players with health issues: Kenny Golladay (hip), D'Andre Swift (concussion), Danny Amendola (hip), Matt Stafford (thumb). The Lions have defensive injuries as well. First-round pick Jeff Okudah (shoulder) adds to the cornerback issues, and the top rush end Trey Flowers has been out for several weeks. The Texans will miss Randall Cobb and Kenny Stills, but Will Fuller and Brandin Cooks are good to go.

Cowboys offensive line stabilized

Dallas is healthier than Washington. The Cowboys get two offensive linemen (Joe Looney and Brandon Knight) back today. Now with Zack Martin at left tackle, the offensive line should provide decent protection, just in time for Ezekiel Elliot to return from a hamstring problem.

Meanwhile the left side of the Washington offensive line remains out, as they protect the blind side of Alex Smith, who has limited mobility. His No. 1 WR target Terry McLaurin also has ankle issues. The game opened Sunday at Dallas -1.5. We posted at the time that the line would move higher, and we were right. It is now at 3. 

Enjoy the two games and some family time. Happy Thanksgiving to all.