It was a day hopefully filled with family and friends and feasting. And football, though I admit it occurred to me late in the second game…wait, there’s still a whole other football game to play! Unnecessary. But it is what it is.

Since there were three games, somewhat briefer recaps. But let’s discuss.

Packers 31, Lions 24.. Early in this one I mentioned to my son an '80s shootout on Thanksgiving between these teams, probably involving Lynn Dickey and James Lofton, where in my memory both teams scored in the 40s. (Just looked it up, 44-40 in 1986.) Then these teams went and played a game that seemed headed that way (31-21 in the third quarter), a lot more scoring than expected from these current teams. Made me regret benching Jared Goff, and probably many doing the same with Jordan Love. Unfortunately, a lot of key players didn't really benefit -- no touchdowns from Josh Jacobs, Amon-Ra St. Brown (who left early due to injury), Jahmyr Gibbs. But most Packer wide receivers, and Isaac TeSlaa (2 TDs against Green Bay this year, 1 in the other 10 games).

Something about the Lions brings out the best in this Green Bay team, who has played about its best football in the series, while the Lions have been a step slow in both games. But Detroit (just like last year, actually) has not held up physically to the rigors of the season, really banged up in the secondary, on the offensive line, and of course losing Sam LaPorta and now St. Brown to an injury of uncertain severity. Detroit plays Dallas next Thursday night and that's looking like a game that might end up killing one of these teams' playoff hopes. The Packers could be alone in first place after the Bears play at Philadelphia later today, and comparing the two schedules look in good shape to take control of the North.

Dallas 31, Kansas City 28. I can't speak for everyone, but certainly most everyone I know is tired of Kansas City and was hoping they'd lose this game. We have no impact on things, but it's a team that's lost a lot of close games and the reality seems to be that its various offensive flaws have caught up with it. Most notably, they're a really boring team to watch, short on big plays and clockwork-like drives down the field. They don't run the ball well, underutilize their most dynamic player (Xavier Worthy) and work in a lot of modest players on offense (painful in fantasy). The offensive line is really banged-up, the defense is better in NFL terms than fantasy, and yesterday they didn't get any key stops. They're 6-6, and while no one would be stunned if they win out, they could also easily lose 2-3 of their next five (Houston, Chargers, Broncos). All three are at home, at least.

Dallas is back in the playoff hunt after knocking off last year's Super Bowl participants the last two weeks. Dak Prescott is having himself a year and George Pickens and CeeDee Lamb (CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens? Discuss) look like the league's best wideout duo. Their defense still isn't great but it's improved (coverage in the end zone could be better). They have to win at Detroit and are going to need either the Bears or 49ers to falter the rest of the way, but a playoff spot is in consideration.

If Kansas City does make the playoffs, of course, a Super Bowl berth is still in the mix. But if they miss, they need to seriously think about adding a running back who makes a difference positively and maybe find a way to add more big plays to the passing game. How this team managed before getting Rice back is hard to figure looking at the offense right now.

Bengals 32, Ravens 14. Speaking of painful to watch teams. The Ravens, at home with a chance to take control of the AFC North, fumbled 4 times and threw an interception in losing to the league's worst defense. Let's start with Lamar Jackson, who is killing fantasy lineups left and right these days. He's definitely dealing with an injury or two, no other explanation for his lack of running. There's a toe injury on the reports, but maybe he's protecting some other issue. (The Ravens have been less than stellar when it comes to injury reporting this year.) No touchdowns, and obviously it was not all his fault yesterday -- he didn't cause Isaiah Likely to fumble at the goal line or anything. But if Kansas City's offense is at times painful to watch, Baltimore's is brutal. They've faced some lousy defenses over the past month and not really done much with the opportunity.

I'll give Derrick Henry props; I thought he was pretty washed but he looked good last night. But trailing throughout, Baltimore couldn't work the run as much as it would have liked. I suppose the Ravens still seem like the favorites in the AFC North. But any idea of this team, which doesn't look as good on offense or defense as other recent Ravens teams, going on a Super Bowl run looks out of the question. They badly need a difference-making wide receiver, and with age elsewhere, too, it looks like they might have a down year before they take that next steps. Windows close quickly in the NFL.

Joe Burrow returns, I took the gamble of starting him over Goff yesterday, and it was basically a tie (after a whole bunch of early drives stalled with field goals). Credit to him for coming back sooner than expected (sadly I dropped him in several leagues and wasn't able to get him back), and going on the road and winning in his first game back. Without Tee Higgins. Credit also to Chase Brown for doing better than expected (outplaying Samaje Perine, who lost a fumble but somehow got 16 touches, not sure why). Can the Bengals win out and make the playoffs? More likely, they're not going to win out, and 9-8 won't get it done even if they do. But they've given fans some hope, and there should be some fantasy goodness from this offense which looked pretty broken after Burrow first went down.

Bears at Eagles today, for everyone who needs yet another game before the weekend. I'd say they have little chance, but after yesterday's upsets, I guess you never know.