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UpshotThanksgiving N.F.L. Guide: Which Outcomes Help Your Team Most (Even if It Isn't Playing)Giving fans of every team someone to root for - or at least something to do.There are three N.F.L. games this Thanksgiving - Bears at Lions (12:30 p.m. Eastern), Bills at Cowboys (4:30 p.m.) and Saints at Falcons (8:20 p.m.) - but the outcomes of these games have implications for nearly every N.F.L. team. Below, a guide for all 32 teams. [All figures are from The Upshot's N.F.L. simulator, an interactive calculator that encourages you to explore which outcomes matter most for your team.]A.F.C. EastNew England Patriots (10-1) You're the Patriots! You have the best record in the league and you've won 10 consecutive division titles. Don't flatter other teams by thinking about them.Buffalo Bills (8-3) You are playing today. A win puts you solidly atop the A.F.C wild-card race. The other games shouldn't matter to you.New York Jets (4-7) You're not eliminated yet, but things aren't looking so good. A Bills loss would be helpful if you're entertaining the idea of a 9-7 season.Miami Dolphins (2-9) You're eliminated, but that was sort of the point this year, wasn't it? If you're thinking about next year's draft order, you don't want other teams finishing with worse records than you. Cheer for the Falcons (3-8) and the Lions (3-7-1).A.F.C. NorthBaltimore Ravens (9-2) Today's games really don't affect your overall playoff picture. Relax and be thankful for your M.V.P.-caliber quarterback, and for your team's league-leading fourth-down conversion rate.Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5) As it now stands, you're the No. 6 seed, and the Bills are No. 5. A loss for them is good for you.Cleveland Browns (5-6) Your team has a real chance at the playoffs, believe it or not. Root against the Bills.Cinci
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