Another Thanksgiving Day is over, and the three NFL games played out more or less as most people probably expected them to. The Detroit Lions wore their ugliest uniforms, and then played an ugly game to match. Turnovers - particularly very late in the game - doomed their chances to pull off an upset, and pretty much doomed them to yet another very forgettable season, where they will fall far short of the playoffs. Dallas took a big lead against Washington, and then had to hang on for a huge win that now sees the two teams tied for first in their division. And New Orleans pretty much dominated Atlanta like expected.
So, how did these outcomes specifically come about? Let's take a closer look at how the Thanksgiving games played out this year:
Chicago Bears (7-3)
v.
Detroit Lions (4-6)
Chicago 23, Detroit 16 - The Bears had to play without injured star Mitchell Trubitsky, which was a concern. No matter. When you are playing the Detroit Lions, chances are you can get away with some things. And even though the Bears allowed the Lions to take an early 7-0 lead, they were able to ride out the storm and come up with a win, aided of course by two huge INT's that Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford threw at the most inopportune time possible. Chase Daniel, filling in for Trubistky, completed 27 of 37 passes for 230 yards and two touchdowns. Stafford, in a losing effort, completed 28 of 38 passes for 236, but threw those two crucial interceptions right at the end, effectively handing the game to Chicago. LeGarrette Blount gave Detroit's running game some teeth, as he picked up 88 yards and two touchdowns on 19 carries. But it was not enough for the Lions to come up with this game, even though they were in a must-win situation. With the loss, the Lions now fall to 4-7 on the year, and find themselves well behind - some might say hopelessly behind - in the NFC race for the wildcard spots. They are solidly in last place in the NFC North, as well. This just looks like a typically inept season for the Detroit Lions. As for Chicago, they earned a solid win on a day when they did not really play their best, but took the most advantage possible of the opportunities that they were presented with. That's the sign of a team that is getting used to winning, and this Bears team has been doing a lot of that lately. They now improve their record to 8-3, and strengthen their position atop the NFC North. Things are looking for in Chicago right now, at least as far as their football franchise is concerned. My prediction: Accurate
Dallas Cowboys (5-5)
v.
Washington (6-4)
Dallas 31, Washington 23 - The 'Boys took care of business. It was not easy, and they really had to hang on for the win towards the end. But in the end, they won in their biggest must win situation so far this season, and now have a share of first place in the NFC East to show for their efforts. Quarterback Dak Prescott completed 22 of 31 passes for 289 yards and two touchdowns. Wide receiver Amari Cooper had a monster day for Dallas, bringing in eight receptions for 180 yards and two touchdowns. Workhorse Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliot added 121 yards and a touchdown on 26 carries. Washington QB Colt McCoy, in his first start for the injured Alex Smith, completed 24 of 38 passes for 268 with two touchdowns, but he also had three big INT's. Dallas managed to take a seemingly decisive 31-13 lead early in the fourth, but Washington battled back to make a game of it, pulling to within a touchdown and a two-point conversion of tying it very late in the game. But the Cowboys hung on, and now, both teams are 6-5. Washington will now have to visit the defending champion Eagles in Philly next, while Big D will host the red hot Saints, with their league leading 10-game winning streak. My prediction: Accurate
Atlanta Falcons (4-6)
v.
New Orleans Saints (9-1)
New Orleans 31, Atlanta 17 - The Saints took an early lead on a touchdown in their first drive to open the game, and just kept building on that steadily through the night. They took a 17-3 lead into the locker rooms at halftime, and made it 31-10 early in the final quarter. The Falcons kept having their drives end in disaster, as they suffered four turnovers. The predictable result was another loss, their third straight. This one was particularly costly, as it was to a divisional opponent, and it likely ends any real chance that the Falcons had of qualifying for the playoffs again. The Falcons actually produced more yards and possessed the ball for longer than the Saints explosive offense, but it was all for naught in the end. Atlanta's star quarterback, Matt Ryan, completed 35 of 47 passes for 377 yards, with two touchdowns and one interception. His favorite target, Julio Jones, picked up 147 of those yards on 11 receptions. New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees had another stellar day, completing 15 of 22 passes for 171 yards and four touchdowns, although he did have one INT. Running back Alvin Kamara added 89 yards on 14 carries. New Orleans recorded their tenth straight win, the longest winning streak so far of any team in the league this season, and the second longest winning streak in franchise history. They improve their overall record to 10-1, and are tied with the Los Angeles Rams - a franchise that they defeated earlier this season - for the best record in the league. The Atlanta Falcons, meanwhile, fall to 4-7, and are on the edge of being completely irrelevant in the playoff picture with another loss. My prediction: Accurate
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