Thanksgiving Day player props: 1 bet for every team

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Oh, you thought we'd preview Thanksgiving Day without player props? Good one!

After previewing the sides and totals for what's now a two-game slate, the real fun can begin.

Here's a prop to consider for every team on Thursday.

Texans - Deshaun Watson's longest completion over 39.5 yards

The Texans aren't going anywhere in the AFC South following a horrific start, but Watson's been flying under the radar. The fourth-year quarterback has become a human highlight reel as the schedule gets easier.

Watson faced the Chiefs, Ravens, and Steelers out of the gates. He was held to 275 yards or fewer in all three games and failed to register a 40-yard completion.

Since then, he's registered more than 275 yards in six of the last seven games, with a 40-yard completion or better in five of them. The man is officially heating up.

Houston's offense ranks No. 3 in explosive pass rate and Detroit's defense is No. 28 in that category.

This is an easy call.

Lions - Matthew Stafford over 23.5 completions

Look for Stafford to pad his stats as a home underdog. He certainly likes throwing in the dome, as he's logged at least 24 completions in three of four home games this season.

Another factor that should help Stafford with this prop is game pace. The Lions played the Panthers, Washington, Vikings, and Colts over the last four weeks. Those offenses rank No. 31, 15, 25, and 20 in the league in tempo, respectively.

Houston ranks No. 12 and the offense could bully the Lions, who are 28th in DVOA defense. The Texans will gift Stafford a few extra possessions, which should ultimately help him sail over this soft number.

Washington Football Team - Logan Thomas over 29.5 receiving yards

The Washington Football Team is all of a sudden an interesting handicap with its quarterback change. Alex Smith's promotion to starter has shifted the offense's target share. Running back J.D. McKissic, for instance, saw a combined 29 over a two-week span with Smith under center; prior to that, he hadn't had more than eight targets in a game.

Another player who's become a favorite for Smith is Thomas, the veteran tight end. He burned the Cowboys for four catches, 60 yards, and a touchdown in the previous meeting.

Thomas has at least 42 total yards receiving and a long of 20 or more in three of the last five. He'll only need a couple grabs to get past this number.

Cowboys - CeeDee Lamb under 4.5 catches

Lamb's put up numbers on every defense he's faced ... except Washington's.

He has at least four catches in every game this season but was blanked on five targets against the Cowboys' division rival a few weeks ago.

Washington's No. 4 in the league in DVOA pass defense and the Cowboys found a groove running the ball last week, so don't expect the rookie wide receiver to go ballistic on the stat sheet Thursday.

(Odds source: theScore Bet)

Alex Kolodziej is a betting writer for theScore. He's a graduate of Eastern Illinois who has been involved in the sports betting industry for 12 years. He can quote every line from "Rounders" and appreciates franchises that regularly wear alternate jerseys. Find him on Twitter @AJKolodziej.

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