Last week the NFL provided us with several games that were just like most of us predicted, except the Oakland Raiders and Kansas City Chiefs spoiled the party. With two absolutely unpredictable upsets, these two teams shook up the AFC playoff race.
This week kicks off with the annual Thanksgiving Day games. Of course the Cowboys and Lions are playing, and in the night game the New York Giants take on the slumping Denver Broncos.
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
The Packers and Lions get this week’s games started with a very familiar Turkey Day game. It seems as if these two teams always meet on Thanksgiving. The Lions are coming off what is most likely the most exciting game of the year, as Matthew Stafford led the Lions down the field and a game winning touchdown with no time remaining. However, Stafford and Calvin Johnson, who had a career day, are most likely too banged up to even play this Thursday. With the Packers getting their offense going this one shouldn’t be close. Use the second half of this game to mingle with family.
Prediction: 38-14 Packers.
Fantasy Player to Watch: Aaron Rodgers – 300+ yards, 4 TD
Oakland Raiders at Dallas Cowboys
The ‘Boys survived a scare last week as they were held scoreless once again until the two minute warning. Tony Romo was able to put together a final drive and scramble away from pressure to find Patrick Crayton for the winning score. One good note is that Dallas’ defense played extremely well. The Raiders are coming off their best game of the year having knocked off the Bengals. Bruce Gradkowski stepped in and seemed to be in rhythm with his receivers. I expect these two to duel to the end on Thursday, with the Cowboys coming out on top, but I wouldn’t be surprised if the Raiders pull off another upset.
Prediction: 28-17 Cowboys.
FPTW: Tony Romo – 260+ yards, 2 TD
New York Giants at Denver Broncos
Eli Manning and the Giants came out of their bye week shot from a cannon but then slowed in the second half before turning it on again in overtime. Manning looked like the elite quarterback he is, and Brandon Jacobs got the Giant running game going again. The Giants trio of young receivers doesn’t seem to be playing like they are young. They are going to have to continue to play like vets this week against the strong Denver pass defense. The Broncos can’t seem to get any kind of offense going these days and it’s taking a toll on their defense.
Prediction: 24-10 Giants.
FPTW: Steve Smith / Mario Manningham – 70+ yards, TD
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have played really well despite losing a few of their past games. Matt Ryan continues to move the ball with or without the help of Michael Turner. Jason Snelling has stepped in and provided some running game help. The Falcons defense hasn’t played too well but has been playing very good competition. The Bucs on the other hand are still struggling to stop anybody. Expect Ryan and the Birds to roll the Bucs on Sunday.
Prediction: 31-13 Falcons.
FPTW: Jason Snelling – 100+ yards, TD
Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills
The Dolphins got a huge lift from Ricky Williams last Thursday in his return to the starting role as Ronnie Brown is lost for the year. Williams hung 3 scores on the Panthers defense and looked like the Heisman Trophy winning back from Texas. The Dolphins defense also looked strong making big plays when they needed to. The Bills are coming off a very well played game despite losing in the waning seconds. It appears that interim quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has found a weapon in Terrell Owens. I don’t think Buffalo has enough to stay around in this one.
Prediction: 28-10 Dolphins.
FPTW: Ricky Williams – 100+ yards, 2 TD
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals offense sputtered against a weak but physical Raiders defense. The Browns pose no threat this week, as they gave up 38 points and 420 yards passing to the Lions last week. Carson Palmer should get back on track if the Bengals are going to prove they are a contender. Another slip up and the Steelers or Ravens will be there to pounce. Brady Quinn had a very good day on Sunday but that was against the Lions defense. He will have fits against the Bengals secondary.
Prediction: 35-6 Bengals.
FPTW: Carson Palmer – 280+ yards, 3 TD
Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams
I was one hundred percent sold on the Rams taking this game. They are coming off a few very competitive games and Steven Jackson has turned into a man possessed. Then it was announced that Marc Bulger is out with a broken fibula. Kyle Boller is not the quarterback that Bulger is. Matt Hasselbeck and the Seahawks have played awful recently but have found a few explosive bench players. Justin Forsett is poised for a monster game against the weak Rams defense.
Prediction: 30-21 Seahawks.
FPTW: Justin Forsett – 60+ yards rushing, 50 yards receiving, TD
Carolina Panthers at New York Jets
This is the game I had the most trouble with. Jake Delhomme is different every week, much like the Jets defense. If Delhomme can get it together and help out the Panthers running game then they can earn the win. DeAngelo Williams continues to have big game after big game, so we shouldn’t expect anything less. The Jets have been gashed on the ground this year and lately have been gashed through the air. If Mark Sanchez continues his poor play, Rex Ryan will be doing plenty more crying.
Prediction: 28-21 Panthers.
FPTW: DeAngelo Williams – 100+ yards, 2 TD
Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles
The Redskins defense showed that they can be torched through the air but several dropped passes limited the Cowboys in doing so. DeSean Jackson is one of the best deep threats in the league. Every single week he continues to get open behind the defense, and when they protect it, Donovan McNabb finds other receivers open. Jason Campbell reminds me a lot of the new Jay Cutler, afraid to take any chances, and that may be the only way to beat the Eagles.
Prediction: 34-14 Eagles.
FPTW: DeSean Jackson – 100+ yards, TD
Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
This game was very close a few weeks ago coming down to a late missed field goal to decide it. The Colts are just finding ways to win lately, as they appear to be getting the best game from everyone. The Texans stay in every game with Andre Johnson and Steve Slaton posing huge threats. I wouldn’t be surprised if the Texas snapped the Colts winning streak but Houston is just one and fourteen career versus the Colts.
Prediction: 31-21 Colts.
FPTW: Reggie Wayne – 100+ yards, TD
Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers
It appears Larry Johnson really was the cancer that was bringing the Chiefs down. They have been playing really well since his departure and the first game he plays with Cincy they fall to Oakland. I really contemplated taking the Chiefs in this one but the way LaDanian Tomlinson and Phillip Rivers have been playing lured me otherwise. Tomlinson needs just 90 or so yards to jump from 12th to 8th overall on the all time rushing list. I expect his biggest game of the year
Prediction: 27-20 Chargers.
FPTW: Vincent Jackson – 75+ yards, TD
Jacksonville Jaguars at San Francisco 49ers
The Jags have pulled out a few close ones in the last two games and probably shouldn’t have had to. Maurice Jones-Drew has slowed down and David Garrard has looked lazy. Frank Gore and the 49ers offense hasn’t shown much more than they have all year. They run the ball a lot and pass when they need to, although Michael Crabtree has really come on for them. Jacksonville will take this matchup via late game heroics once again.
Prediction: 24-20 Jaguars.
FPTW: Maurice Jones-Drew – 100+ yards, 2 TD
Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans
The Titans have turned into the darlings of the league with a surge led by Vince Young. Young has a career record of 22 and 11 so I have never understood any quarterback controversy. Kurt Warner was hit hard on Sunday and had to leave, if he is not able to play then I would say the Titans win it easily. As of now he is scheduled to play. With all the weapons he has at his fingertips I expect the Cards to take care of the Titans.
Prediction: 31-17 Cardinals.
FPTW: Anquan Boldin – 100+ yards, TD
Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
Brett Favre is having a career year leading the Vikings to a 9 and 1 record. I would assume it’s pretty easy to pick defenses apart when you can use Adrian Peterson for play-action. Favre has a favorite target in Sidney Rice and he has been ripping up opposing defenses. The Vikings have one of the best run defenses in the league and Matt Forte hasn’t been able to get anything going. Jay Cutler has been awful and now is trying too hard to not throw picks instead of just playing the game.
Prediction: 34-20 Vikings.
FPTW: Adrian Peterson – 100+ yards, 2 TD
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
The Steelers are coming off an awful week. They lost the game, backup quarterback Charlie Batch, and had Ben Roethlisberger come down with a concussion. Big Ben should play this week and they will need him to pick his game up if they want to stay in the playoff race. The Ravens have been playing well on defense and not so well on offense. Both teams are looking to bounce back after tough losses so this game has some intrigue. Despite being played in Baltimore, I don’t think the Ravens have enough offense to keep pace with the Super Bowl Champs.
Prediction: 27-13 Steelers.
FPTW: Rashard Mendenhall – 80+ yards, TD
New England Patriots at New Orleans Saints
The Saints will put their undefeated record on the line on Monday Night Football for a very nice showdown with the Patriots. Drew Brees bounced back against Tampa on Sunday and looks to prove himself against the top team of the decade. Tom Brady and the Patriots are looking to shut down the Saints and make sure nobody else goes undefeated. Brady had a huge day finding Wes Welker last week and I don’t see any signs of those two slowing down.
Prediction: 31-28 Patriots.
FPTW: Wes Welker – 100+ yards, TD
Last Week: 13-3
Thanks for reading, and Happy Thanksgiving!
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