NFL Thanksgiving Weekend Preview

  

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Traditionally, it seemed that all of the experts agreed that as a team in the NFL, you wanted to still have a shot at the playoffs  once Thanksgiving Day weekend came along.

Well, here we are now. It has been a strange year in certain respects, with very few teams having either very good records, or very bad ones. This season, for some reason, it feels like the vast majority of teams are more or less somewhere in the middle. Some have a decent chance at reaching the postseason, while others have to go on major winning runs, and perhaps even still would need a bit of help to get there.

So, let's take a look at the games to be played this weekend:

Chicago at NY Jets - The Jets still have a decent chance at the playoffs as we enter this Thanksgiving weekend, the final weekend in November. It has been a while since we were able to say that. Coming off a disappointing loss up in New England, where the offense scored merely three points, they will look to get back to their better form from earlier this season, establishing a solid running game, and having their defense come up big when necessary. Unfortunately for Gang Green's defense, Chicago quarterback Justin Fields really seems to be coming into his own lately, and may give them fits. Still, I suspect that the Jets bounce back from that loss to New England and find a way to win this one. My pick: NY Jets

Denver at Carolina - These two teams met in the Super Bowl a few years back, although they both look entirely different, in terms of their rosters, by now. Neither team has produced great things this season, although the weight of expectations was more solidly on the Broncos, who had a new star quarterback in Russell Wilson, and were expected to be a contender. They will need to start winning a whole bunch of games in a hurry if they hope to salvage this season and, frankly, that just does not seem likely. Look for the Panthers to come up big at home. My pick: Carolina

Cincinnati at Tennessee - Now this is an interesting game. Both teams have been playing well, and both have a good shot at reaching the playoffs. The Bengals have been a bit erratic, so you never know what you are going to get. By contrast, the Titans have been red hot as of late, having won seven of their lst eight games, and they would love to exact a measure of revenge against the Bengals for bouncing them out of the playoffs last season. My pick: Tennessee

Houston at Miami - The Dolphins need a win to keep up with the Bills, who at least for the time being, have taken possession of first place in the AFC East. Miami is a bit on a hot streak themselves, though. And with both home field advantage, as well as a relatively weak opponent on schedule, the Fins should be able to hold serve at home and notch an important win here. My pick: Miami 

Tampa Bay at Cleveland - Tom Brady and the Bucs appear to be getting themselves going a bit. They still seem to struggle with scoring, but at least they now have won two games in a row, against the Rams and the Seahawks. A road trip in late November to Cleveland might seem a tough task, but the Bucs appear to be playing well, while the Browns feel more vulnerable. Not an easy game, but my suspicion is that Brady and th Bucs find a way to get this thing done today. My pick: Tampa Bay

Atlanta at Washington - The Commanders have really been turning up the heat on their opponents as of late. Today, they get a home game against the up and down Falcons. Neither team is likely to light up the scoreboards, but expect Washington to pound out another tough, physical, largely ugly win for their fans at home. My pick: Washington

Baltimore at Jacksonville - This used to be a decent rivalry. Right now, however, the Ravens have to avoid a let up against a possible spoiler team. This is the kind of dangerous game that a playoff contender and division leader like the Ravens have to be leery of. But they have been red hot as of late, and I cannot predict anything but a Ravens win here. My pick: Baltimore

LA Chargers at Arizona - The Chargers suffered a disappointment, suffering a sweep at the hands of the Chiefs, who are cruising. But the Chargers clearly look like the second team in the AFC West, and they should be able to get past an up and own (but mostly down and almost out) Cardinals team that feels like it is teetering on the brink of irrelevancy. My pick: LA Chargers

Las Vegas at Seattle - What a disappointing season this has been for the Raiders. They still technically have a shot, although it feels like they have let down their fans when they needed to step up. And going on the road to face the Seahawks, in one of the toughest places for a road team to have to play, will not be easy. Look for Pete Carroll and the Seahawks to find a way to impose their will and get another win to stay very relevant in the NFC West and playoff races. My pick: Seattle 

LA Rams at Kansas City - Remember the last time that these two teams met? The Rams won an absolutely explosive game that was all about offense. The two teams combined for 109 points, with Los Angeles ultimately winning, 58-51. But these Rams, despite being defending champions, look weak and the offense appears flat and almost lifeless. And going into Arrowhead to take on the red hot Chiefs is a tall order, to say the least. My pick: Kansas City

New Orleans at San Francisco - The 49ers have won most of the big meetings between these two teams in recent seasons. The Saints are still technically in the playoff race, but they would have to produce some big wins, and get red hot, in order to realistically have a chance. And frankly, they just do not look that good. Meanwhile, the Niners appear to be getting hot. With home field advantage to boot, look for SF to come up big. My pick; San Francisco

Sunday Night Football: Green Bay at Philadelphia - The Packers have been huge disappointments this year. They may possibly be the biggest disappointment in the league, having lost six of their last seven games. With their playoff hopes seriously flickering, they need to turn it around in a hurry. They might have a chance at producing a big upset in Philly, as the Eagles have seemed to struggle in recent weeks following that impressive 8-0 start. Still, the Eagles feel like the better team, and should find a way to win. My pick: Philadelphia

Monday Night Football: Pittsburgh at Indianapolis - Neither of these two teams are where they want to be this season. The Steelers have sunk to the bottom of the division, at least tied with Cleveland. And the Colts have shown some signs of promise at times, but have been almost wildly inconsistent this season. Still, I feel that the Colts have the better overall team, plus with home field advantage, they really should be able to notch a win here to stay relevelant in the playoff pictures. My pick: Indianapolis