Packers at Lions (Packers) – The Packers are still one of the tougher teams in the NFC this season, and a lot of that has to do with Aaron Rodgers, who has thrown 19 TDs and just 5 INTs. Brady Quinn just threw 4 TDs and 0 INTs against the Lions, so I could only imagine what Rodgers will do on Thanksgiving. Packers by 17.
Raiders at Cowboys (Cowboys) – The Raiders are entering this game with a new sense of confidence, after beating the Bengals by 3. Gradkowski was griddy against Cincy, and I don’t doubt that he will be the same against Dallas. However, this is Dallas on Thanksgiving. The Raiders, in my opinion, are just too young and inexperienced to win a game like this, whereas Romo and the ‘Boys have been here before, and they know what it’s all about. I do expect a Cowboys victory, but I do not expect a blowout. Cowboys by 7.
Giants at Broncos (Giants) – The Broncos officially look like the team that I thought they were before the season began. They are having trouble on offense and on defense, which is where they were so strong at the beginning of the season. As for Eli Manning and the Giants, they have not been great lately either, but they are coming off of an overtime win against Atlanta. In the game, Manning threw for a career-high 384 yards. If that is a precursor to what he will do against Denver, the Broncos will need to watch out. Giants by 10.
Bucs at Falcons (Falcons) – The Falcons have surprisingly struggled lately, and they have not done what most people expected of them. If there is a team that could help them get out of their funk, the Bucs are just the team. They have a beatable defense, and a young quarterback in Josh Freeman, who has looked good, but is far from perfect. If Atlanta can establish a running game, which I expect, they are going to be nearly impossible for Tampa to beat. Falcons by 13.
Dolphins at Bills (Dolphins) – The Bills have had a lot of bad fortune this season, and there are no signs of change anytime soon. The Dolphins, on the other hand, have gotten the most out of their team, and they have been able to remain in the playoff race in the AFC. The key matchup in this game will be that great Dolphins running game against the 31st ranked Buffalo run defense. Huge advantage for the Dolphins over there. Dolphins by 14.
Redskins at Eagles (Eagles) – The Redskins are playing a little better as of late, but they are still not on the Eagles’ level yet. LeSean McCoy is very capable as the lead back in Philly, and I think that the offense as a whole will cause problems for Washington. Also, with Portis and Betts being injured, Rock Cartwright is going to be the starting running back. He had a nice performance against the Cowboys, but I think that was a fluke. The Eagles will clamp down on him and their defense should be tough throughout this one. Eagles by 11.
Seahawks at Rams (Seahawks) – These teams are awful. If I had to choose one team to win this game, it has to be Seattle. The Seahawks are not good, but they ARE better than the Rams. With Bulger out, I don’t see how Steven Jackson can generate much. Without production from S-Jax this team is nothing. Seahawks by 7.
Panthers at Jets (Panthers) – The Panthers are coming off of a tough loss against Miami, but they are not the same team they were at the beginning of the season. They are playing a lot better, and I expect them to have success against the Jets on the road. The Jets have totally fallen off after that hot start, and they haven’t been able to get back their swagger. It looks like year one is not going to turn out too good for Rex Ryan. Panthers by 10.
Browns at Bengals (Bengals) – The Bengals had a letdown last week, and they are not in the mood for another one. With the Browns coming to town, the Bengals will be prepared to destroy their crosstown rivals. Even if Benson remains on the sidelines in this game, the Bengals should be fine with Bernard Scott, as he showed what he could do last week (119 yards rushing). As for the Browns, they let Matt Stafford throw for 5 touchdowns in a loss to Detroit. I wonder what Carson Palmer will do. Bengals by 20.
Colts at Texans (Colts) – The Colts have not yet lost even though they have had some close games. They have found ways to win, including a game against the Texans a few weeks back. I expect the same kind of game and result in this one. Close, but with a Colts triumph in the end. That, of course, has a lot to do with Peyton Manning and his uncanny ability to pull games out when his team needs him to step up the most. Colts by 4.
Chiefs at Chargers (Chargers) – Believe it or not, the San Diego Chargers have won 5 games in a row. Believe it or not, the Chiefs have won 2 games in a row. Although both streaks are impressive for the respective teams, the Chargers are more impressive in my opinion. The Chargers have finally seemed to ”figure it out” and they should continue to roll against their divisional rival from Kansas City. The Chargers have a possible division title in their sights, and I do not see the Chiefs getting in the way of that. Chargers by 14.
Jaguars at 49ers (Jaguars) – The Jaguars, obviously, are highly reliant on their running game, and the Niners will look to key in on that. Being that the Niners are 6th against the run, I could see them containing MJD pretty well. What that means is that David Garrard and Mike Sims-Walker will have to have good games if this team wants to be successful against San Francisco. I believe that they will do that right when they need to, and the Jaguars should escape late with a victory. Jaguars by 5.
Bears at Vikings (Vikings) – The Bears have been an utter disappointment, and the Vikings have been EVEN better than people expected when they acquired Brett Favre. Having said that, the Vikings should have no problem when the Bears come to town. Cutler has been a turnover machine, and I expect the Vikings to exploit that to its fullest. Favre and Peterson should continue to wreak havoc on the Bears, and the Vikings should be one game closer to clinching a division title. Vikings by 17.
Cardinals at Titans (Titans) – These are two of the hottest teams in the league right now, as the Titans have won 4 in a row, and the Cards have won 6 out of 7. During their 8 point win against the Rams, the Cards had to place Kurt Warner on the sidelines with a mild injury. I think that injury might be a difference-maker in this one, as Warner is old and everything takes a toll. Vince Young, conversely, is young and exciting, and he has infused this team with a winning attitude. I expect that winning to continue in this one, as I see the Cards losing their first road game of the season in Tennessee. Titans by 3.
Steelers at Ravens (Steelers) – The Steelers know exactly how to bounce back after losing a game they should have won, and that will be evident on Sunday night against the Ravens. They will get after Joe Flacco, and I see him struggling in this game. Of course, the absence of Troy Polamalu should hurt, as it has already this season, but I see Pittsburgh coming together in this one to get a hard-fought victory against Ray-Lew and the Ravens. Steelers by 1.
Patriots at Saints (Patriots) – The Saints have been playing as good as anybody this season, but I do not think they have played a team as good as the Pats. This should be a close and exciting game, but ultimately I think that Brady, Welker, Moss, and Maroney will be too much for that Saints’ D to handle. Because of the recent emergence of Laurence Maroney, I think that the Pats are a lot harder to defend, as he makes them a more complete offensive unit. The Saints are no slouches either, but I think that the mistakes that they have made this season against bad teams might hurt them a little bit more in this game. The Pats will make them pay for turning the ball over because they are a veteran team, and they know what winning is all about. Patriots by 4.
Filed under: NFL Pick'em
