Week 13 of the NFL season brings with it some special bonuses — three Thanksgiving Day games and another one on Black Friday, in addition to the normal Sunday and Monday slate.
Every game offers NFL betting opportunities, including the anytime touchdown prop bet.
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Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) makes a catch past Tennessee Titans cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr., left, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) completes a first down during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) celebrates his 1-yard rushing touchdown with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) celebrates after scoring on a 6-yard run as teammate O'Cyrus Torrence (64) watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) is stopped by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (9) on a run during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) reacts after his 5-yard rushing touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Here are some players who could find the end zone this week, with odds from the BetMGM online sportsbook:
Jahmyr Gibbs, Lions -190
Detroit Lions running backs have scored a touchdown in 25 straight games, so that could continue on Thanksgiving against the Chicago Bears. Jahmyr Gibbs has scored a touchdown in five of his last six games and received double-digit carries in every game this season. David Montgomery is another to consider, though his odds are -200.
Tyrone Tracy Jr., Giants, +130
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. has had some fumbling issues the last few weeks but has a good matchup this week against the Cowboys. Dallas enters the week allowing the most rushing touchdowns per game in the league. While points may be limited in the game with the over/under set at 37, getting Tracy at plus-money is worth consideration.
James Cook, Bills
James Cook is on a nice run lately, with seven touchdowns in his last six games for the Buffalo Bills, and he has a good matchup on Sunday Night Football against the 49ers at home. San Francisco is allowing the second-most rushing touchdowns in the league.
Amon-Ra St. Brown, Lions -115
For the first time in eight games, Amon-Ra St. Brown did not find the end zone for the Lions last week against the Indianapolis Colts. The over/under on Thanksgiving against the Bears is set for 48.5 points, so it's likely there will be plenty of points scored in the game.
Tyreek Hill, Dolphins, +145
It’s been a down year for Tyreek Hill (three total touchdowns), but a lot of that has to do with Miami Dolphins quarterback Tua Tagovailoa missing several games because of a concussion. In a big Thanksgiving matchup in Green Bay, Hill is likely to be targeted a bunch against the Packers.
Nico Collins, Texans
In his second game back with the Houston Texans after missing roughly a month, Nico Collins caught five passes for 92 yards and a touchdown last week against the Tennessee Titans. That success certainly could continue this week in another divisional matchup against the Jaguars. Jacksonville enters the game allowing the most passing touchdowns per game in the league.
This column was provided to The Associated Press by BetMGM online sportsbook.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
Houston Texans wide receiver Nico Collins (12) makes a catch past Tennessee Titans cornerback Jarvis Brownlee Jr., left, during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Houston. (AP Photo/Ashley Landis)
Miami Dolphins wide receiver Tyreek Hill (10) completes a first down during the first half of an NFL football game against the New England Patriots, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Miami Gardens, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) celebrates his 1-yard rushing touchdown with wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown (14) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Buffalo Bills running back James Cook (4) celebrates after scoring on a 6-yard run as teammate O'Cyrus Torrence (64) watches during the first half of an NFL football game against the Kansas City Chiefs Sunday, Nov. 17, 2024, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
New York Giants running back Tyrone Tracy Jr. (29) is stopped by Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Joe Tryon-Shoyinka (9) on a run during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)
Detroit Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (26) reacts after his 5-yard rushing touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Nov. 24, 2024, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Travelers who waited until the last day to make their Thanksgiving holiday treks need to be prepared for busy highways and the most crowded day yet this week at the nation's airports.
The Transportation Security Administration expected to screen 2.9 million people on Wednesday and more than 3 million Sunday, when many holiday revelers plan to return home.
Air travelers had reason to give thanks — only a couple dozen U.S. flights had been canceled by late morning on the East Coast, according to FlightAware.
However, more than 1,000 flights were running late, reflecting the tendency toward tardiness that is becoming normal at U.S. airlines. Airlines were averaging more than 4,500 late flights per day since last weekend, and Wednesday's count was likely to approach or surpass that number by nightfall.
Wednesday afternoon was expected to be the worst time to travel by car, according to forecasters. Drivers headed out of town will be mixing with commuters unlucky enough to be working on the day before the holiday.
Accidents compounded the heavy traffic. A dump truck that struck a bridge over Interstate 95 in Delaware closed the highway for several hours, according to the Delaware Department of Transportation.
An Arctic blast in the Midwest and wet weather in the Eastern U.S. could disrupt travel over the next several days.
From Wednesday into early Thursday, mixed precipitation was expected to stretch from northern Arizona through the Plains and upper Midwest into Pennsylvania, New York and parts of New England, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A chilly, sloppy mix was expected to linger into Saturday in parts of the Northeast.
Forecasters expect clear weather over most of the western two-thirds of the country on Thursday and Friday, but rain and possibly thunderstorms are predicted for the Southeast, which could raise the risk of flight disruptions.
Auto club and insurance company AAA predicted that nearly 80 million Americans would venture at least 50 miles from home between Tuesday and next Monday, with most of them will traveling by car.
Drivers should get a slight break on gas prices. The nationwide average price for gasoline was $3.07 a gallon on Wednesday, down from $3.25 at this time last year.
Airfares, however, are about 4.1% higher than they were a year ago, according to government figures.
The Transportation Security Administration expected to screen 18.3 million people at U.S. airports during the same seven-day stretch. That would be 6% more than during the corresponding days last year but fit a pattern set throughout 2024.
The TSA expects the biggest crowd on Sunday, which could break the record of 3.01 million set on the Sunday after the July Fourth holiday.
TSA Administrator David Pekoske said his agency is ready, with its highest staffing ever, but an ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers at the Federal Aviation Administration could cause flight delays.
FAA Administration Administrator Mike Whitaker said last week that his agency likely will use special measures to deal with shortages at some facilities.
“If we are short on staff, we will slow traffic as needed to keep the system safe,” he said.
In the last two years, similar measures have slowed down flights in New York City and Florida.
The FAA has long struggled with a shortage of controllers that airline officials expect will last for years, despite the agency's lofty hiring goals.
TSA says it’s OK to bring turkey, stuffing and other favorite holiday foods through airport checkpoints, although liquids such as gravy and cranberry sauce can’t exceed 3.4 ounces.
Just because you can carry it on the plane doesn’t mean you should.
“Especially when it comes to gravy, I wouldn’t want that in my carry-on luggage, and I definitely wouldn’t want it in my checked baggage,” TSA spokesperson Lorie Dankers said.
Thanksgiving brings out infrequent flyers, and they often have questions about what they can bring on the plane. The TSA app and website have lists of items that are banned or restricted.
Wednesday afternoon was expected to be the worst time to travel by car before Thanksgiving, but it will be smooth sailing on highways Thursday, according to transportation analytics company INRIX.
On the return trip, the least-congested times to drive will be before 1 p.m. Sunday and before 8 a.m. or after 7 p.m. Monday, the company said.
In metropolitan areas like Boston, Los Angeles, New York, Seattle and Washington, “traffic is expected to be more than double what it typically is on a normal day,” INRIX transportation analyst Bob Pishue said.
Kathy McCormack in Concord, New Hampshire, Sean Murphy in Oklahoma City and Mike Householder in Romulus, Michigan, contributed to this report.
Travelers wait for their ride at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Travelers walk through Terminal 3 at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Travelers rush to their gate at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Olivia Bowdoin)
Travelers move through the B Concourse at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Travelers check their tickets at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
A Delta Airlines flight departs Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Delta Airlines planes are loaded along the B Concourse at the Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
Passengers wait to check-in at Miami International Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
A traveler walks to his gate at Miami International Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Passengers wait to check-in at Miami International Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Marta Lavandier)
Travelers walk through Terminal 3 at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Travelers wait to be wheeled to their gates at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Olivia Bowdoin)
Travelers walk through Terminal 3 at O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2024. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
Travelers pull suitcases as they walk toward a terminal, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, at Boston Logan International Airport, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
Travelers wait at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, Friday, Nov. 22, 2024, in Atlanta, as the Thanksgiving travel season kicks off. (John Spink/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP)
Travelers prepare to board aircraft near a holiday decoration, top, Monday, Nov. 25, 2024, at Boston Logan International Airport, in Boston. (AP Photo/Steven Senne)
FILE - As the Thanksgiving holiday approaches, travelers walk through Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Va., on Nov. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)
FILE - In this photo made with a long exposure, motor vehicles move along Interstate 76 ahead of the Thanksgiving Day holiday in Philadelphia, Nov. 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)
