It’s time for the stretch drive of the 2024 NFL regular season.

With Thanksgiving week upon us, it’s time for the top prospects to stand out from the crowd while the pretenders begin to sink into the abyss of mock draft season and coaching carousel conversations.

On Thanksgiving Day, the NFL treated us to a three-game experience: The Detroit Lions (11-1) and Dallas Cowboys (4-7) played their traditional hosting roles, while the Chicago Bears (4-8) and New York Giants (2-9). ) make visits.

In the nightcap, the Green Bay Packers (8-3) welcome the Miami Dolphins (5-6) to freezing Lambeau Field. Then on Black Friday, the Kansas City Chiefs (10-1) and Las Vegas Raiders (2-9) meet in an old-school AFL rivalry game.

But let’s start with some turkey and three matching games.

THURSDAY

My opinion: If there’s one thing to take away from this game, it’s that Matt Eberflus isn’t allowed on the team plane. Chicago (4-8) somehow converted an easy field goal opportunity into the firing line of Cairo Santos with a penalty and a sack. Then the Bears somehow tied the game with a pass from Caleb Williams as time expired, even though Chicago had a timeout. Detroit (11-1) escaped largely because the Bears were incompetent, and also because the Lions ran the ball for 194 yards at 5.9 yards per carry.

Create stock: Detroit continues to win because the offense is a juggernaut. The Lions ran for 405 yards and 25 first downs and mostly did what they wanted against the Bears. The only downside was having to attempt four field goals as the offense was stuck on a few long drives.

Inventory reduced: Again it’s Eberflus. Call timeout. Yell into the headset to tell Williams to move faster. Do something. Do anything. That was the worst 30 seconds of coaching you will ever see at the NFL level.

Next: Bears at 49ers, 3:25 p.m. ET December 8; Packers at Lions, 8:15 p.m. ET, December 5

Check back throughout the day for more updates.