The NFL has a fairly boring slate of games this week, but there should be a matchup or two that should catch your interest. Turkey Day means three Thursday games this week, so there’s something to get excited about. Watch the Titans and Cowboys blow their opponents out and enjoy that Thanksgiving feast! The Sunday Night Football game should be fairly exciting, but this is the week to do straight-up NFL pick’em with your friends!
Tennessee Titans (10-1) at Detroit Lions (0-11)
This game is going to be one of the biggest blowouts in Thanksgiving day history, but think about it. You overeat on almost every kind of food imaginable on Thanksgiving, so why not start out with an over-scoring game on your Turkey Day? Tennessee wins big here, by at least 17 points.
PICK: Tennessee Titans
Seattle Seahawks (2-9) at Dallas Cowboys (7-4)
Seattle has truly had a terrible season, and the schedule doesn’t get any easier this week with Dallas on their schedule. What do you know, another big time blowout lined up for Turkey Day. This should be a joke game for Dallas as they roll the Seahawks, also by 17.
PICK: Dallas Cowboys
Arizona Cardinals (7-4) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-5)
The most intriguing Thanksgiving Day matchup actually takes place at the end of the day. Philly will be wondering if Donovan McNabb can bounce back, because Kevin Kolb still doesn’t appear ready. The Cardinals have that high powered offense who will find yards tough to come by against a good Eagles defense. I like the Cardinals by 6.
PICK: Arizona Cardinals
New York Giants (10-1) at Washington Redskins (7-4)
The Giants were without RB Brandon Jacobs last week, but he could return this week. This is an intriguing NFC East match which should be closer than the experts think. Despite the game in a tough Fedex Field, I like the Giants by 6.
PICK: New York Giants
San Francisco 49ers (3-8) at Buffalo Bills (6-5)
SF is a team that is in trouble, as they haven’t played well on offense or defense as of late. QB Trent Edwards had a really bad game two weeks ago vs. the Browns, but he bounced back in a big way against the KC Chiefs last week. Take the Bills here by 13.
PICK: Buffalo Bills
Baltimore Ravens (7-4) at Cincinnati Bengals (1-9)
Ohh man, where to begin with this one. QB Joe Flacco looks like a legit young quarterback, and he should have a monster game against a terrible Bengals defense. Marvin Lewis is no doubt on the hot seat here, and after QB Ryan Fitzpatrick practically escapes death, the Ravens will have won by at least 13 points.
PICK: Baltimore Ravens
Indianapolis Colts (7-4) at Cleveland Browns (4-7)
The Browns can’t seem to get their QB situation straight, and the Colts are coming off a massive win against the tough San Diego Chargers. Adam Vinatieri proved once again that he is one of the best clutch kickers in the league, but they won’t need him to win this one. The Colts will slaughter the Brownies, by at least 13 points.
I feel like a broken record, with all these 13 point victories.
PICK: Indianapolis Colts
Carolina Panthers (8-3) at Green Bay Packers (5-5)
Carolina features that killer running game and that stellar defense. Green Bay is led by one of the league’s better young quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers. This is going to be a close matchup that could easily turn into a shootout, but I like the Panthers here by 3.
PICK: Carolina Panthers
Miami Dolphins (6-5) at St. Louis Rams (2-9)
Quick…name the NFL’s worst teams. Bet you didn’t name the Rams. They seemingly are the most forgotten team in the league, and with a roster like theirs, who wouldn’t? Miami has actually played some good football this season: I like the effort by the players and coaching staff that shows weekly. Plus, that Wildcat formation is pretty darn cool. Take the Dolphins by 13.
PICK: Miami Dolphins
New Orleans Saints (5-5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-3)
Is there a quieter awesome team in the league than the Buccaneers? They have played sneakingly well this year. The Saints have an all-powerful offense, but I question the quality of their defense. If Reggie Bush comes back, the Buccaneers could be in trouble, but as it stands, I like the Bucs by 6. If Bush plays, this will be a pick.
PICK: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Denver Broncos (6-5) at New York Jets (8-3)
Can anyone take Denver seriously? Seriously? The Broncos were embarrassed by the Raiders last week. Meanwhile, the Jets came off of a fairly easy win against the previously undefeated Titans. Take the Jets here, and big. They will win by 10.
PICK: New York Jets
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) at New England Patriots (7-4)
I am still surprised at how well NE QB Matt Cassel has thrown as of late, but it is hard to pick against the Steelers with how well their defense has played this year. This should be one of the most exciting games of the season: expect a low scoring game but a big game-changing play or two. I like the Steelers by 3.
PICK: Pittsburgh Steelers
Atlanta Falcons (7-4) at San Diego Chargers (4-7)
The Falcons surprised the Panthers last week, and the Chargers were flat out upset on a last second Vinatieri field goal. Atlanta has some major momentum going into this game, and as crazy as it sounds, my gut is telling me to go with the Falcons here. Norv Turner should be on the hot seat in SD after this one.
PICK: Atlanta Falcons
Kansas City Chiefs (1-10) at Oakland Raiders (3-8)
Just face it, these teams are horrible. But if you have to pick one this week, take the Raiders. KC QB Tyler Thigpen has been serviceable for the Chiefs, but is by no means a game changer. Oakland by 7.
PICK: Oakland Raiders
Chicago Bears (6-5) at Minnesota Vikings (6-5)
This game should be the game of the week, easily. Both teams sport 6-5 records and have two game-changing running backs. While I am very fond of the Vikings’ RB Adrian Peterson, I believe that Matt Forte has a surprisingly good day for the Bears and helps them grind out a tough win. Bears by 3.
PICK: Chicago Bears
Jacksonville Jaguars (4-7) at Houston Texans (4-7)
I don’t know if it’s just me, but it’s awfully hard to get excited about this Monday Night matchup. I’ll cut right to the chase and call it a 7 point victory for Maurice Jones-Drew and the Jags.
PICK: Jacksonville Jaguars
