Thanksgiving Weekend Sports Guide: Your roadmap for NFL matchups, with other games, times and odds

Associated Press

The long, sporty Thanksgiving weekend is a time for many Americans when they enjoy gathering with friends and family for good food, good company and hopefully not too much political conversation.

Also on the menu – all the NFL and college sports you can stomach.

Here’s a roadmap for one of the biggest sports weekends of the year, looking at the marquee games over the holidays and how to watch them. All times are in EST. All odds come from BetMGM Sportsbook.

What to watch on Thursday

—NFL: There’s a triple-header coming up for pro football fans.

Chicago at Detroit, 12:30 p.m., CBS: Rookie quarterback Caleb Williams and the Bears face the Lions, who are among the favorites to reach the Super Bowl in February. Lions favored by 10.

New York at Dallas, 4:30 p.m., Fox: The Giants and Cowboys both had miserable seasons and are now using backup quarterbacks for different reasons. But if Dallas finds a way to win, it will still be on the edge of the playoff race. Cowboys favored by 3 1/2.

Miami at Green Bay, 8:20 p.m., NBC/Peacock: The Packers stumbled slightly out of the gate but have won six of their last seven games. They need a win against Miami (5-6) to stay in contention in the NFC North. Packers favored by 3.

– College Football: Memphis, No. 18 Tulane, 7:30 p.m., ESPN. If college football is your thing, this is a good warm-up for a big weekend. The Tigers are trying to ruin the Green Wave’s perfect record in the American Athletic Conference. Tulane is favored by 14.

What to watch on Friday

—NFL: A rare showdown Friday with the league-leading Chiefs.

Las Vegas in Kansas City, 3 p.m. Prime Video: The Chiefs and quarterback Patrick Mahomes are 12-point favorites over the Raiders.

—College basketball: Some of the best programs gather for holiday tournaments across the country.

Battle 4 Atlantis Championship, 5:30 p.m., ESPN: One of the most important tournaments at the start of the season. The field consists of eight teams, including No. 3 Gonzaga, No. 14 Indiana and No. 24 Arizona.

Rady Children’s Invitational, 6 p.m., Fox: It’s the championship game for a four-team field that includes No. 13 Purdue and No. 23 Mississippi.

—College Football: There are a number of college games to get caught up on.

Oregon State at No. 11 Boise State, Noon, Fox: The Broncos look to stay in the hunt for the College Football Playoff when they host the Beavers. Boise State favored by 19 1/2.

Oklahoma State at No. 23 Colorado, Noon, ABC: The Buffaloes and Coach Prime are still in the hunt for the Big 12 championship game when they host the Cowboys. Colorado had a lead of 16 1/2.

Georgia Tech at No. 6 Georgia, 7:30 p.m., ABC: The Bulldogs are on track for a spot in the CFP, but host a potentially tricky game against rival Georgia Tech. Georgia had the advantage by 19 1/2.

–NBA. After taking Thanksgiving off, professional basketball returns.

Oklahoma City at Los Angeles Lakers, 10 p.m., ESPN: The Thunder appear to be one of the best teams in the NBA’s Western Conference. They will host Anthony Davis, LeBron James and the Lakers.

What to see on Saturday

– College football. There are other encounters with playoff implications.

Michigan at No. 2 Ohio State, Noon, Fox: The Wolverines are struggling a season after winning the national title. They could make their fan base a lot happier with a surprise from the Buckeyes. Ohio State favored by 21.

No. 7 Tennessee at Vanderbilt, Noon, ABC: The Volunteers are a pretty big favorite and have dominated this season, but the Commodores have been a strong team this season and have already pulled off a monumental upset against Alabama. Tennessee favored by 11.

No. 16 South Carolina at No. 12 Clemson, noon, ESPN: Palmetto State’s rivals are both on the edge of the CFP playoff race. A win – especially for Clemson – would go a long way toward securing its spot in the field. Clemson had the advantage by 2 1/2.

No. 3 Texas at No. 20 Texas A&M, 7:30 p.m. ABC: The Aggies host their in-state rival for the first time since 2011 after the Longhorns joined the SEC. Texas has a 5 1/2 advantage.

Washington at No. 1 Oregon, 7:30 p.m., NBC: The top-ranked Ducks have been one of the best teams in the country all season. They face the Huskies, who would like to get a big win in coach Jedd Fisch’s first season. Oregon had the advantage by 19 1/2.

—NBA: A top-class duel is on the league’s program.

Golden State in Phoenix, 9 p.m., NBA TV: Steph Curry and the Warriors face the Suns’ big three of Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal.

What to see on Sunday

—NFL: It’s Sunday, that says it all.

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati, 1 p.m., CBS: Joe Burrow is having a great season for the Bengals, who are struggling in other areas. They need a win to stay in the playoff race as they host a Steelers team that is 8-3 and has won five of their last six games. The Bengals are favored by 3.

Arizona vs. Minnesota, 1 p.m., Fox: The Cardinals are tied atop the NFC West while the Vikings are 9-2 and have pulled off one of the biggest surprises of the season with journeyman Sam Darnold under center. Vikings favored by 3 1/2.

Philadelphia at Baltimore, 4:25 p.m., CBS: Two of the league’s most electric players will be on the field as Saquon Barkley and the Eagles take on Lamar Jackson and the Ravens. Ravens favored by 3.

San Francisco at Buffalo, 8:20 p.m. NBC/Peacock: The 49ers try to get back to .500 against the Bills, who have won six straight. Bills favored by 7.

–NBA. The best teams in the Eastern Conference meet in a statement game.

Boston in Cleveland, 6 p.m., NBA TV: The defending champion Celtics travel against the Cavs, who won their first 15 games at the beginning of the season.

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AP Sports: https://apnews.com/sports