A Turkey Feather on Pig Skin

      While we all love and bless the food we are given on Thanksgiving, we can never forget the other necessity on this wonderful day; football.  Traditionally we are used to seeing two games that each feature the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys, but these past few years have featured a third game played at night..  Thank you NFL, as if over 6 hours of football wasn't already enough for one holiday.

       Historically the Lions have been scheduled on every Thanksgiving as far as I've been alive.  To this day I still question the reasoning behind it. Detroit has not managed a Turkey Day win since 2003 against the division rival Packers, marking 8 straight losses since.  This year's game fails to look like a  promising outcome for the Lions as they are put to the test against the 9-1 Houston Texans.  Coming off two straight losses, the once intimidating Lions defense has struggled throughout the season to maintain balance from the front-7 to the secondary.  The key for the Lions in winning is slowing the rhythm of the Texans run game that ranks 8th in the NFL lead by all-pro rusher Arian Foster.  The Lions do not want to find themselves in a hole early with the Texans controlling the clock with runs and play actions.  With the double..and even triple teams on Calvin Johnson, it will be important for Stafford to establish another go-to-guy for the Lions, potentially being Titus Young, but the options will need to be open for this passing offense.

      I've watched Houston seriously struggle against two NFC North team's already this season, and I'm not about to watch a third.  Expect the Texans to look confident all game long and let their play style take command of the game.

Prediction:


Houston Texans 32

Detroit Lions 19

Romo is 5-0 in career Thanksgiving games

     The next game on slate is quite the handful. An NFC East division battle featuring two teams that need this one pretty badly.  The Cowboys at 5-5 are not the team they envisioned.  Despite their mediocre record this Dallas team finds itself squirming away in wins and giving-up in losses.  With Demarco Murray looking doubtful, Tony Romo will once again be carrying a large load as the 'Boys' QB has averaged nearly 40 pass attempts per start this season.  Imbalance in the offense is unfortunate with Rob Ryan doing his part, conducting the Dallas defense to #7 overall.  The team will need to put both sides together on Thursday afternoon, facing a Redskins team who are desperate to keep playoff hopes alive at 4-6.  Washington brings in a top rushing-offense carried by two emerging rookies, QB Robert Griffin III and RB Alfred  Morris.  The tandem have combined for nearly 1,500 yards on the ground. 

Galloping Gobbler Award

      At home, on Thanksgiving, it's really hard to go against the Cowboys.  Their only recent loss on the occasion was against the Saints two years ago when Roy Williams fumbled the game away and Jon Kitna was playing quarterback.  It's hard to picture the Cowboys dominating a game on both sides of the ball, especially a division game.  But somehow, someway, Romo and company will sneak away with this one, and it could be ugly as usual.

Prediction:                      
Redskins 17
Cowboys 22 

Galloping Gobbler: Dez Bryant

   Call me a cranky fan but I have yet to enjoy a night game on Thanksgiving.  Whether it's the games on schedule or just the fact that I'm tired out from the day, I'm never satisfied.  With that being said, another division-filled game will be on tap for Thursday night when the Pats come to visit the Jets at MetLife Stadium.  On paper, this game is far from enticing.  New York (4-6) is looking for some sort momentum they could ride for a playoff spot, but playing a top-five offense will be a difficult place to start.  New England (7-3)  escaped in an overtime victory weeks back in Foxboro, so I'm sure we'll see Rex pose his best revenge tactics possible in this one.  Throwing odd and sporadic blitzes at Tom Brady has succeeded in the past, but the Jets don't have the same defense we've been accustomed to seeing in recent years.

Brady and Belichick are 4-1 in last 5 reg. season games vs. Rex's Jets

      Unless we finally see some true Tebow Time on Thursday night, the Patriots should handle this one outright.  The New England offense appeared out of sync the last meeting against New York, but look for Brady to spread the ball around while complimenting the run game led by Stevan Ridley.

Prediction:
Patriots 31
Jets 13


  

 


  NFL Thanksgiving Schedule
Houston Texans @ Detroit Lions CBS 12:30
Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys FOX 4:25
New England Patriots @ New York Jets NBC 8:20