What would Thanksgiving be without some good old football. Thankfully this year we have another 3 match-ups!
Green Bay at Detroit:
Injuries seems to be the headline in this game as both teams seemed to be all mashed up for Thanksgiving day. Lions will likely be without Stafford and Johnson which will leave Culpepper to lead the offense. The difference maker in this game will be Aaron Rodgers. He has faced the Lions 3 times in his career as a starter which he has passed for 994 yards, 8 TDs and 1 INT. Another good showing from Rodgers should lead the Packers to another victory.
Pick: Green Bay has the (backbone) and covers the -11 point spread.
Oakland at Dallas:
These two teams that have been very unpredictable this year. Dallas who has failed to score through the first three quarters of its last two games need to get on the board early and often and they will need to do it without leading receiver Jason Witten. In order to achieve this Romo will need to get good protection as he nurses a bad back to find Miles Austin who has struggled against double team coverage.
Oakland on the other hand is coming into the game with positive momentum after knocking off a very good Benglas team and having it's new QB Bruce Gradkowski to lead the way. Oakland owns the series match-up between Dallas at 6-3 and is coming into the game with having won the last 3. The difference maker in the game will be Oakland's defense. If they can put pressure on Romo they will have a chance to win the game. Although, winning may be a stretch Oakland will find a way to keep it within 2 scores.
Pick: Oakland gets the bigger peice of the (wishbone) and covers with +14 points
New York Giants at Denver:
Two 6-4 teams come into Thanksgiving day looking to keep their playoff hopes alive. Denver since going 6-0 have lost their last 4 games and have been outscored in an embarrasing fashion 117-37. The difference between how the Broncos started versus how they have performed in their last four games is the inability to score touchdowns and moving the ball. In order for them to rebound and get a win is to score points!
New York is in a similar position as Denver having won it's first 5 games but since droping it's last 4 out of 5 games. The difference for the Giants seem to be with keeping everyone healthly. Thursday night, health will continue to play a factor as several key defensive players will be out including LB Antonio Pierce.
The difference maker in the game will be the team who has the highest time of position. If Denver's offense can get back to the basics and move the ball down the field and keep their defense rested late into the game they will win. If Denver continues to go 3 and out like the past four weeks, Giants will win and provide Denver with some early stuffing.
Pick: Denver gets the bigger peice of the (wishbone) and covers with +6 points.
What a line-up for a great NFL day. Here are my plays for a perfect trifecta:
Seattle at Dallas:
Jump all over Seattle in this one. This line is too inflated for a game nationally televised on Thanksgiving Day. Dallas hasn't beat Seattle by more than 10 points since 1992. I don't have to remind everyone what Dallas did in '92 but I can assure you they are not the same team as they were then. Seattle will finally get comfortable having Hasselbeck back and look to make a game on Thanksgiving.
Seattle + 13
Arizona at Philadelphia:
Philadelphia covers at home for a much needed win. McNabb will use Westbrook early to gain control of the game and the fan base who will be all over him if he performs anything like last Sunday. Arizona struggles playing in the eastern timezone going (0-3) this year. (Washington, Jets and Panthers) After Thursday night they will be 0-4.
Philadelphia -3
Tennessee at Detroit:
Detroit has a history of playing well on Thanksgiving but this year will be nothing like anything in the past. I don't know what is worse for Detriot; being 0-11, having Culpepper as your QB, Losing your best DE or having to play on Thanksgiving. Tennessee will run all over Detroit making this game look like the gull bladder from your Turkey dinner.
Tennessee -11
Is it just me or does it seem like week 13 is fillled with the dogs? I've got some picks for you.
Games like these stick out to me:
- Buffalo (+4) - posted earlier by won SU
- Oregon St (+2)
- Mississippi (+4)
- NC State (+10.5)
- Michigan St (+15.5)
- Indiana (+11)
- Texas Tech (+7)
- Boston College (+2)
Your thoughts?