I’d like to start by wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving this weekend. We should all be blessed with an abundance of good friends, loving family, delicious foods, and ice cold beer. It’s just unfortunate that the NFL won’t be blessing us with an exciting line up of holiday pigskin. Does anyone else think we’re over due for deep frying the tradition of set teams monopolizing our holiday time slots? Why can’t we get the best match ups of the week for our Thanksgiving day feast? Alright, enough of my griping, I’ve spoken my piece.
My stats last week’s were average for yet again, above .500, but undistinguishable from any other prognosticators analysis. The final count came in at 11-5 on the straight picks and 10-6 against the spread. This weekend I could sure use a 16-0 week to be thankful for, but maybe that’s asking too much.
Season stats:
105-70-1 / 105 of 176 (.597) Straight Picks
94-79-3 (.534) Against the Spread
----Picks against the spread in red----
ALL TIMES ARE EASTERN
Thursday, November 27th, 2008 Happy Thanksgiving!!!
Tennessee Titans(10-1) at Detroit Lions(0-11) 12:30PM
I’m going to have to side with the critics on this game. Why is it that we are forced to suffer through a Detroit football game each and every Thanksgiving? The Lions have been a bad team for…well…a long time and this game is likely to be pure torture to watch…again!
Titans blow out the Lions
(Titans -11.5)
Seattle Seahawks(2-9) at Dallas Cowboys(7-4) 4:15PM
Another match up that could prove to be one sided and give the Cowboys something to be thankful for. The return of Tony Romo has the Cowboys reenergized and seeming more than ready to take the center stage in a home game in front of a National audience. The Seahawks on the other hand will be on the road, away from family for the holidays, and heavy underdogs.
Cowboys light up the score board
(Cowboys -13)
Arizona Cardinals(7-4) at Philadelphia Eagles(5-5-1) 8:15PM
This game could prove to be a little bit more entertaining as we can all begin to wonder whether or not McNabb’s career in Philly is endangered; more immediately, will he even play a full game, as he’s already been announced to start? While Eagles fans will have plenty to boo about, the Cardinals might be looking at a possibility of a bountiful Thanksgiving.
Cardinals take a win on the road
(Cardinals +3)
Sunday, November 30th, 2008
Carolina Panthers(8-3) at Green Bay Packers(5-6) 1:00PM
With both teams coming off multiple touchdown losses, both teams will be feeling that it’s in their right to rebound this week. Unfortunately, only one team can do so and I’m going to have to say I’m giving a slight edge to the Panthers even if they are the road team.
Panthers add to Green Bay’s misery
(Panthers +3)
Indianapolis Colts(7-4) at Cleveland Browns(4-7) 1:00PM
The Colts will enter this match up riding a 4 game win streak. This could spell trouble for the struggling Browns who are currently 1-5 at home, especially since the Colts are 4-2 on the road. With a full weeks rest from last weeks match up and the Colts next games at home against Cincinnati and Detroit, I can only expect Peyton Manning and the Colts to be rested and focused on collecting another win this week.
Colts advance win streak to five
(Colts -5)
Baltimore Ravens(7-4) at Cincinnati Bengals(1-9-1) 1:00PM
It’s the year of the rookies in Baltimore this year. From first time head coach John Harbaugh to quarterback Joe Flacco, the Ravens are being lead down a winning path, a path the Bengals are no where near. Chances are, this game won’t even be a decent watch unless you’re a Ravens fan or just enjoy pure domination.
Ravens rip through the Bengals
(Ravens -7)
San Francisco 49ers(3-8) at Buffalo Bills(6-5) 1:00PM
It could be time for a high to come crashing down. After absolutely demolishing the Chiefs last week, the Bills will come home to host the 49ers who haven’t won many games, but have had their moments of scoring drives and managed to keep a few games from running away from them and, in my opinion, are due for a victory.
49ers bring an end to the Bills celebration
(49ers +7)
Denver Broncos(6-5) at New York Jets(8-3) 1:00PM
For two weeks I pick the Broncos to lose games in which they were underdogs; wouldn’t you know it, they won. Then last week I picked them to win as favorites and they were humiliated in a shocking upset. While it pains me to pick against my team, at this point I can always say I did it for the good of my team; that if I pick against them they will pull off the upset. Hey, it’s worth a shot.
J.E.T.S., Brett, Brett, Brett
(Broncos +8)
New York Giants(10-1) at Washington Redskins(7-4) 1:00PM
Now this is one of the games that we, as fans, should have been blessed with for Thanksgiving. An interdivision match up where a strong Redskins team hosts one of this seasons league leaders in what should prove to be a knock down, drag out fight to the finish, especially if Washington is looking for revenge on their season opener.
Redskins feed off the home crowd and hold on to a fourth quarter victory
(Redskins No Line)
New Orleans Saints(6-5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers(8-3) 1:00PM
I’m going to have to say that this match up is a tough one to call. On the one hand, you have the Buccaneers silently leading the NFC South and getting little attention for it. Then on the other hand, you have a Saints team that went off the hook in their last match up and could very well be poised for a let down. While most of me says Buccaneers, I can’t help but listen to that distant voice faintly calling for the upset.
Saints gun it out for second week in a row
(Saints No Line)
Miami Dolphins(6-5) at St. Louis Rams(2-9) 1:00PM
This is almost a scary game to pick as the Dolphins seem to defeat the teams that out rank them only to seemingly over look the games that should be a sure win. However, other than a glimmer of hope in Week 6 & 7, the Rams have simply looked awful. This should be one of Miami’s simpler match ups.
Dolphins take a road win in their attempt to remain in the AFC East running
(Dolphins No Line)
Atlanta Falcons(7-4) at San Diego Chargers(4-7) 4:05PM
Matt Ryan has been a savior in Atlanta, and the assistance of Michael Turners ground game has offered a mountain of stress relief for his rookie quarterback. All together this has amounted to success for the Falcons. So don’t think Turner isn’t looking forward to his return to San Diego for a chance to show off in front of his former team.
Falcons add more heartbreak to the Chargers season
(Falcons +5)
Kansas City Chiefs(1-10) at Oakland Raiders(3-8) 4:15PM
Granted, the Raiders served up a stinger to the Broncos in Denver last week, but I still think Tyler Thigpen offers a glimmer of hope in Kansas City. This game could offer up a competitive game, but with a combined record of 4-18, who’s planning to watch to find out?
Chiefs finally find a way to double their seasons wins
(Chiefs +3)
Pittsburgh Steelers(8-3) at New England Patriots(7-4) 4:15PM
In my opinion, this should have been one of the other games to grace our television screens for the Thanksgiving holiday. With Pittsburgh leading the AFC North and the Patriots in a chase for AFC East, this game should be a meaningful one for both teams; a game that neither can afford to lose. However, I believe that it will be the Patriots that need it more, and with the home field advantage, I’m sure they aim to take it.
Patriots battle it out to finish on top as the clock reaches all zero’s
(Patriots No Line)
Sunday, November 30th, 2008, Sunday Night Football
Chicago Bears(6-5) at Minnesota Vikings(6-5) 8:15PM
After the first meeting between these two teams, they deserve a National spotlight on Sunday Night. I can only hope that they will be able to repeat the performance. However, I’m not seeing a sweep for these division rivals this season.
Vikings win in another wild defensive match up
(Vikings -3)
Monday, December 1st, 2008, Monday Night Football
Jacksonville Jaguars(4-7) at Houston Texans(4-7) 8:30PM
Houston, to me, seems like the team that should have more wins, but doesn’t, while the Jaguars are the team that was expected to have more wins, but has done nothing to deserve it. Now, with tied records at 4-7, these division rivals will meet to decide who will hold the last place in the AFC South.
Texans avoid a sweep and finish with the win
(Texans -3)
Happy Thanksgiving to all this week, and I hope that you are all blessed with a warmth of friends, family, and numerous reasons for thanks. Happy Holidays to you all.
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