Thanksgiving is a great American holiday. Families get together for big turkey dinners, they give thanks for the blessings that have been bestowed on them and they watch football. Lots and lots of football. In fact, in many homes the thankfulness extends to the NFL and the networks that provide wall-to-wall football games. 

This Friday (Australian time) is the annual NFL Thanksgiving triple-header. Traditionally, the first two games take place in Detroit and Dallas, while the recently added third game rotates from site to site. This year viewers have the added bonus of seeing six teams coming off wins, which is pretty remarkable when you think about it. 

If you want to do this like the Americans, get yourself a turkey (roast chicken will do), some mashed potatoes and pumpkin pie (pecan or apple will work), grab a bottle of wine or a six pack of beer and sit down for a long day of football. 

Friday, 4:30 am, Green Bay (10-0) @ Detroit (7-3), OneHD and Fox Sports

Detroit has hosted Thanksgiving football since 1934, in what was originally conceived as a marketing gimmick. The Lions have played Green Bay ten times on "Turkey Day," with the Packers winning nine of those clashes. Interestingly, the last time they lost to the Lions on Thanksgiving - in 1962 - the Pack also came into the game with a 10-0 record. Detroit fans have more to be thankful for this season, with a good team that might even make the playoffs, something that hasn't happened since 1999. This has the potential to be a high-scoring contest, with Green Bay averaging 34 points per game and Detroit 30. Lions QB Matt Stafford and star receiver Calvin Johnson will need to be in synch if they want to keep pace with Aaron Rodgers and the explosive Green Bay offense. 

Friday, 8:15 am, Miami (3-7) @ Dallas (6-4), OneHD and ESPN

Dallas jumped on the Thanksgiving bandwagon in 1966, and the Cowboys have won 27 and lost 15 on the last Thursday in November. This year's matchup is intriguing because each team comes in on a three-game winning streak. The Cowboys, who looked out of it three weeks ago, are right back in the NFC East race, and are starting to get their swagger back. Quarterback Tony Romo is hot again, while rookie running back Demarco Murray has been a godsend. Miami's turnaround, on the other hand, has been nothing short of remarkable. The Dolphins are the first team in NFL history to lose their first seven games, then win their next three. Fill-in QB Matt Moore has been a steadying influence and Reggie Bush has suddenly decided he wants to play football. Dallas should win, but Miami is no pushover. 

Friday, Midday, San Francisco (9-1) @ Baltimore (7-3), ESPN

Dare I say this is a Super Bowl preview? OK, that's probably a reach; it's certainly safer to call this the "ultimate Thanksgiving game," because the two head coaches are brothers. Jim Harbaugh's impressive 49ers continue to win and are steaming towards the NFC West title and a first round bye in the playoffs. John Harbaugh's Ravens - unlike San Francisco - have been amazingly inconsistent. They look superb one week and dreadful the next, and are in a dogfight to make the playoffs either as a wildcard or the AFC North winner. This should be a close, competitive game and might be the perfect way to wrap up a Thanksgiving feast of football.