Thanksgiving Day Games:
Green Bay (7-3-1) at Detroit (7-4) - Two of the top teams in the NFC North in a key divisional battle on Thanksgiving afternoon. The Lions might not be as dominant as they appeared to be last year at this point. Still, they are a formidable team. And the Packers have also enjoyed a solid regular season so far to this point. That includes a convincing 27-13 win at Lambeau earlier this season. However, I suspect that the Lions will do enough to reverse that outcome here and take this game. My pick: Detroit
Kansas City (6-5) at Dallas (5-5-1) - Two teams clinging to playoff hopes after suffering more losses than most people would have expected. The Cowboys looked dead in the water early against Philadelphia, but then came storming back to win, tying the largest margin ever in franchise history for a comeback win. Figure that should fire them up. Meanwhile, KC also survived a tough scare against the Colts last weekend. By virtue of winning, they once again seem headed for the postseason. If this were being played at Arrowhead, the pick would be easy. Since it is being played instead in Big D, the Cowboys feel like they have a shot. Still, I have to go with the team that I figure to be the best of these two franchises right now. My pick: KC Chiefs
Cincinnati (3-8) at Baltimore (6-5) - The Ravens have stormed their way back after that disastrous 1-5 start. Now, they are 6-5 and tied with the Steelers for first in the AFC North. This race is still a long way from being decided, since the two teams will meet two times between now and the regular season finale. But the Ravens are hot, and well, the Bengals are now. These are two teams heading in opposite directions right now. The Bengals will try, but it feels like this outcome will inevitably favor the red-hot Ravens. My pick: Baltimore
Black Friday Game:
Chicago (8-3) at Philadelphia (8-3) - What a game this one should be! Two of the elite teams this year in the NFC - and really, the NFL - square off in Philly. The Eagles were red hot, but are coming off a concerning collapse loss against the Cowboys. Philly seemed to have everything in hand in that one. They were absolutely dominating. Yet they allowed the Cowboys to come storming back, missing a golden opportunity to end any remaining suspense in the NFC East race. Now, they face an elite team after a short week. The Bears have won eight of their last nine, although some of their wins have been a bit shaky. The big question is how shaken up, or perhaps instead how fired up, the Birds will be following that late game collapse in Big D. They feel more vulnerable than usual at the moment. Still, the Bears have not beaten any serious or elite teams yet this season. Going on the road to face the defending champions, who will likely enter this one with greater focus and intensity than usual, will likely be a very tall order for Da Bears. My guess is that it will prove too much for them. My pick: Philadelphia
No comments:
Post a Comment