Tune in at 12:30 PM ET as the Texans take on the Lions. Gino Bottero will be liveblogging for your enjoyment.
Welcome everyone! Happy Thanksgiving to our American friends! I'll be live blogging the first game of the NFL's 2012 Thanksgiving Classic between the Detroit Lions and Houston Texans.
Let's get right to the injuries. Calvin Johnson and Owen Daniels are ACTIVE. Ben Tate is INACTIVE.
Notable inactives for the Texans include cornerback Johnathan Joseph and linebacker Tim Dobbins.
Notable inactives for the Lions include wide receiver Titus Young and tackle Jeff Backus. Backus had played in 186 consecutive games before today.
The Lions sent wide receiver Titus Young home when he showed up at the team's practice facility on Monday, and announced that he would be inactive for today's game as a disciplinary measure. While attending Boise State, Young missed most of the 2008 season for disciplinary reasons.
With the hot play of Arian Foster and Mikel Leshoure of late, it may not be unreasonable to expect to see a rushing score today, but these teams have allowed a combined three total rushing scores on the season.
Calvin Johnson leads the NFL with 1,117 receiving yards. The absence of Johnathan Joseph for today's game makes me wonder what Wade Phillips will do to try and stop him.
Matt Schaub threw the ball 55 times last week. Expect to see the Texans lean a little more on Arian Foster today. He leads the NFL with 249 carries. That's 37 more than Marshawn Lynch who has the second most at the moment.
Before giving up 37 points to Jacksonville on Sunday, the Texans had allowed a combined 28 points in the three games prior to that one.
At 9-1, the Texans could clinch a postseason birth with a win today, and a number of other AFC teams losing on Sunday. It would be the earliest the team has clinched a playoff spot in franchise history.
They've leaned on Mikel Leshoure a little more since their bye week. Don't be surprised to see him get plenty of touches today.
Anthem time. The game should be underway shortly.
The Lions won the coin toss and elected to receive the opening kickoff.
They're about ready to begin in Detroit. Logan back to receive the kick.
15:00 No return on the kick.
Texans will roll over the Lions today. #easyby RippDemUp via twitter 11/22/2012 5:28:24 PM
Time to start my Thanksgiving tradition of watching the Lions lose...by KVP_10 via twitter 11/22/2012 5:28:31 PM
This game is the Lions seasonby Dschwa17 via twitter 11/22/2012 5:28:33 PM
8 game losing streak on thanksgiving is about to be snapped #Lionsby pbafunno via twitter 11/22/2012 5:28:36 PM
Cowher picks the Lions ... #Detroit has a lot to prove but they can win today!by BoomerProducion via twitter 11/22/2012 5:29:34 PM
I just saw the Lions haven't won on Thanksgiving in 9 years! That is incredible...by FBallPickemPod via twitter 11/22/2012 5:29:58 PM
OK, time to get this party started. I hope the Lions can keep the Texans from blowing them out for at least 1 quarter.by greggorox via twitter 11/22/2012 5:30:09 PM
I need the Detroit Lions to come out firing!by _MasterWilliam via twitter 11/22/2012 5:30:12 PM
Let's go #Lions! Time to bring home a #Thanksgiving Day win!by stabenow via twitter 11/22/2012 5:30:51 PM
Fingers on the pulse of Detroit, downtown at the Lions game. Love my city! It's electric out here. Happy Thanksgiving, all!by Ms. Kristen via twitter 11/22/2012 5:31:03 PM
If Houston's defense can give up 236 to Justin Blackmon, I can't wait to see what Megatron can do. 34-24 #Lions over #Texansby TheBurghReport via twitter 11/22/2012 5:31:10 PM
Not a fan of the Lions but I love an underdogby BenderOver14 via twitter 11/22/2012 5:31:49 PM
I'm Thankful for Arian Foster and Calvin Johnson.by _McGheeJ via twitter 11/22/2012 5:32:10 PM
started Leshoure over Bradshaw/Andre Brown. Make me look good, Mikel. Make. ME. Look. Good.by KordyNelson87 via twitter 11/22/2012 5:34:28 PM
Legendary sax man Alto Reed performing the national anthem before #Texans Lions.by JeromeSolomon via twitter 11/22/2012 5:35:16 PM
The #Texans are gonna eat up the lions for Thanksgivingby Brittany Warneke via twitter 11/22/2012 5:35:48 PM
Alto Reed is the perfect name of a sax player. #texans v #lionsby watchbaseball via twitter 11/22/2012 5:36:34 PM
I like to root for the underdog if my teams aren't playing, sooooooo GO LIONS!!!by Makarios247 via twitter 11/22/2012 5:36:44 PM
Texans about to make it nine thanksgiving losses in a row for the Lions. #HappyThanksgivingby John Wells via twitter 11/22/2012 5:36:48 PM
One of my favorite things to do today. Watch football
Saxophone national anthem very nice. #Texans Lionsby SlimJimBaba via twitter 11/22/2012 5:38:00 PM
