Detroit defensive end Za’Darius Smith sacked Chicago quarterback Caleb Williams, and what happened next gave the Lions a 23-20 victory over the Bears on Thursday, while sparking heavy criticism of Chicago head coach Matt Eberflus.

In the NFL’s other Thanksgiving matchups:

The Dallas Cowboys overwhelmed New York quarterback Drew Lock, sacking him six times and hitting him 14 times, with former Auburn star Carl Lawson contributing one sack and five quarterback hits, in a 27-20 win that extended the Giants’ losing streak to seven games.

Green Bay running back Josh Jacobs tallied his fifth consecutive game with 100 yards from scrimmage, the longest streak for the Packers since another former Alabama back, Eddie Lacy, posted nine in 2014. Jacobs carried a turkey platter off Lambeau Field after Green Bay defeated the Miami Dolphins 30-17.

Za’Darius Smith, a Greenville High School alum, registered three tackles, 1.5 sacks, one tackle for loss, and three quarterback hits in his second game with Detroit since being traded from the Cleveland Browns.

On the Bears’ final possession, Smith briefly left the field after getting shaken up, but on a second-down snap at Detroit’s 35-yard line, Smith sacked Williams for a 6-yard loss with 33 seconds remaining. The Bears failed to use their last timeout, and they didn’t snap the ball again until just six seconds remained. Time expired on an incompletion as Chicago dropped its sixth straight game. Detroit extended its winning streak to 10.

Eberflus defended his decision to save the timeout for a potential field goal setup after third down, but his team ended up walking off the field with one timeout unused.

“I think we handled it the right way,” Eberflus said. “I do believe that you just rerack the play, get it in bounds, and call timeout, and that’s why we held it, and didn’t work out the way we wanted it to.”

Smith’s sacks raised his season total to seven, and his career total to 67, moving him into the top 10 for NFL career sacks by players from Alabama high schools and colleges. Smith surpassed Justin Tuck, who had 66.5 sacks with the New York Giants and Oakland Raiders from 2005 to 2015.

In addition to Smith, 25 other players from Alabama high schools and colleges saw action in the NFL’s three Thanksgiving games.

Detroit Lions 23, Chicago Bears 20

Lions cornerback Terrion Arnold (Alabama) returned from a one-game injury absence, recording one tackle and one pass breakup. Brian Branch (Alabama) started at safety for Detroit, leading the team with six tackles and one quarterback hit.

Byron Cowart (Auburn) started at defensive tackle for the Bears, matching his career high with four tackles and adding one tackle for loss. Cowart previously had a pair of four-tackle games for New England in 2020.

Lions cornerback Carlton Davis (Auburn) was sidelined due to knee and thumb injuries. Bears tight end Gerald Everett (UAB/South Alabama) did not record any stats.

Lions running back Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama) rushed for 87 yards on nine carries and caught two passes for 17 yards, becoming the first player in franchise history to open a season with 12 games of 70 or more scrimmage yards. Gibbs did fumble at the Chicago 6-yard line with 55 seconds left in the first half.

Lions defensive tackle Brodric Martin (Northridge, North Alabama) made his 2024 debut but did not record any stats.

Bears cornerback Reddy Steward (Austin, Troy) is on injured reserve and was not eligible to play.

Jameson Williams (Alabama) started at wide receiver for Detroit, catching five passes for 28 yards and rushing twice for 18 yards.

Detroit (11-1) will face the Green Bay Packers on Dec. 5 at 7:15 p.m. CST at Ford Field in Detroit.

Chicago (4-8) will play the San Francisco 49ers on Dec. 8 at 3:25 p.m. CST at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Dallas Cowboys 27, New York Giants 20

Cowboys cornerback Trevon Diggs (Alabama) was unavailable due to groin and knee injuries.

Cor’Dale Flott (Saraland) started at cornerback for the Giants, making five tackles and breaking up two passes. Chris Hubbard (UAB) started at left offensive tackle for the Giants.

Cowboys defensive end Carl Lawson (Auburn) recorded one sack and five quarterback hits, marking the sixth time in his career he has hit five or more QB pressures in a game.

Evan Neal (Alabama) started at right offensive tackle for the Giants.

Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Central-Phenix City) started at defensive tackle for the Giants, recording four tackles and one pass breakup.

Darius Slayton (Auburn) started at wide receiver for New York, catching two passes for 8 yards.

Jalen Tolbert (McGill-Toolen, South Alabama) started at wide receiver for Dallas, totaling two catches for 41 yards, including a 36-yard reception, Dallas’ longest play of the game.

Cowboys defensive end Sam Williams (Lee-Montgomery) is on injured reserve.

Cowboys wide receiver Seth Williams (Paul Bryant, Auburn) is on the practice squad and did not play.

Dallas (5-7) will play the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 9 at 7:15 p.m. CST at AT&T Stadium.

New York (2-10) will play the New Orleans Saints on Dec. 8 at noon at MetLife Stadium.

Green Bay Packers 30, Miami Dolphins 17

Dolphins defensive tackle Shakel Brown (Troy) is on the practice squad.

Dolphins wide receiver Grant DuBose (Park Crossing, Miles) is on injured reserve.

Miami defensive tackle Neil Farrell Jr. (Murphy) did not record any stats.

Miami defensive tackle Da’Shawn Hand (Alabama) made one tackle.

Tyreek Hill (West Alabama) started at wide receiver for Miami, recording six receptions for 83 yards and one touchdown. He caught a 12-yard TD pass with 3:04 remaining on a ball deflected by Green Bay safety Xavier McKinney.

Josh Jacobs (Alabama) started at running back for Green Bay, running for 43 yards and one touchdown on 19 carries while adding 74 yards on four receptions, including a career-long 49-yard catch. Jacobs scored a 1-yard touchdown to give Green Bay a 14-0 lead.

Xavier McKinney (Alabama) started at safety for Green Bay, making nine tackles.

Dolphins cornerback Siran Neal (Eufaula, Jacksonville State) broke up two passes and played extensively due to injuries in the Miami secondary.

Dolphins wide receiver Anthony Schwartz (Auburn) is on injured reserve.

Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama) started at quarterback for Miami, completing 37-of-46 passes for 365 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions, setting a career high for completions.

Packers offensive tackle Kadeem Telfort (UAB) did not record any stats.

Jaylen Waddle (Alabama) started at wide receiver for Miami, catching four passes for 53 yards and a 2-point conversion.

Packers quarterback Malik Willis (Auburn) dressed but did not play.

Packers defensive tackle Colby Wooden (Auburn) did not record any stats.

Green Bay (9-3) will play Detroit on Dec. 5 at 7:15 p.m. CST at Ford Field.

Miami (5-7) will play the New York Jets on Dec. 8 at noon at Hard Rock Stadium.