Thanksgiving Football
Well, it's Thanksgiving Day. And Thanksgiving means football from the sites of Dallas, Detroit, and this year the other D, Denver. And Texas and Texas A&M collide as A&M looks to clinch a bowl berth and Texas looks to keep it's BCS Title hopes alive. Let's break up the match-ups.
Green Bay vs. Detroit
The last time these 2 teams played, the Packers amazing defense led them to a 26-0 shutout at Lambeau. But now, all that matters is how Matthew Stafford's and Calvin Johnson's injuries will affect them and how they will fare against a Packer defense that allowed 0 points vs. Detroit and 7 points versus Dallas. Aaron Rodgers has been able to find receivers and he has picked most passing defenses apart. I don't look for a shootout like Detroit's 38-37 win over Cleveland last week or Green Bay's 37-26 Thanksgiving win here in 2007, but I like Green Bay to win 27-10.
Oakland vs. Dallas
The Cowboys only had 3 days to practice after their emotional 7-6 win over the Redskins last weekend, but even after seeing the Raiders scoring 10 points in 18 seconds in their game to honor Marquis Cooper, who was lost at sea. Anyways, Oakland has scored the fewest points in the NFL, while the Cowboys have allowed the fewest points in the NFC. However, it could be a different story if the Raiders front seven can pressure Tony Romo. The Oakland front 7 might need to stop Marion Barber, Felix Jones and the Cowboys 3 man rushing game to win. My pick is Romo throws 1 TD, Barber and Jones each rush for a TD and 24-17, Dallas wins.
New York Giants vs. Denver
Remember how the Broncos were rolling over the Redskins until Kyle Orton was injured and Denver lost 27-17? Well, Orton returns against the Giants, who won 5, lost 4 and then beat the slumping Falcons 34-31 in overtime. But the real question is what QB will play better, Orton or Eli Manning, or what running back will show up, Brandon Jacobs or Knowshon Moreno. On paper, these teams look about the same, Jacobs vs. Moreno, Orton vs. Manning, 6-4 vs. 6-4. But this game will come down to what defense will play better. I think that the Broncos pass defense will show up after allowing 32 and 23 points to San Diego, 27 points to Wahsington, 30 to Baltimore and 28 to Pittsburgh. The Giants will play well but Kyle Orton leads Denver to a 34-31 victory.
Texas vs. Texas A&M
We all know that Texas needs a win here and a win over Nebraska in the Big 12 Title game to make a BCS Title game, but right now all Colt McCoy cares about is winning their second straight vs. the Aggies on the road. Jerrod Johnson will be under center for TAM, while McCoy will call plays for UT. I think if Texas A&M can shut down the McCoy to Shipley connection, it could be a ball game. I like Jerrod Johnson to play a great game, what should be needed for the Aggies to win, but I think the UT running game will play another big part and Texas will win 30-20.
Channel listings
Green Bay vs. Detroit FOX 12:30 PM ET
Oakland vs. Dallas CBS 4:15 PM ET
Texas vs. Texas A&M ESPN 8:00 PM ET
NY Giants vs. Denver NFL Network 8:20 PM ET
Green Bay vs. Detroit
The last time these 2 teams played, the Packers amazing defense led them to a 26-0 shutout at Lambeau. But now, all that matters is how Matthew Stafford's and Calvin Johnson's injuries will affect them and how they will fare against a Packer defense that allowed 0 points vs. Detroit and 7 points versus Dallas. Aaron Rodgers has been able to find receivers and he has picked most passing defenses apart. I don't look for a shootout like Detroit's 38-37 win over Cleveland last week or Green Bay's 37-26 Thanksgiving win here in 2007, but I like Green Bay to win 27-10.
Oakland vs. Dallas
The Cowboys only had 3 days to practice after their emotional 7-6 win over the Redskins last weekend, but even after seeing the Raiders scoring 10 points in 18 seconds in their game to honor Marquis Cooper, who was lost at sea. Anyways, Oakland has scored the fewest points in the NFL, while the Cowboys have allowed the fewest points in the NFC. However, it could be a different story if the Raiders front seven can pressure Tony Romo. The Oakland front 7 might need to stop Marion Barber, Felix Jones and the Cowboys 3 man rushing game to win. My pick is Romo throws 1 TD, Barber and Jones each rush for a TD and 24-17, Dallas wins.
New York Giants vs. Denver
Remember how the Broncos were rolling over the Redskins until Kyle Orton was injured and Denver lost 27-17? Well, Orton returns against the Giants, who won 5, lost 4 and then beat the slumping Falcons 34-31 in overtime. But the real question is what QB will play better, Orton or Eli Manning, or what running back will show up, Brandon Jacobs or Knowshon Moreno. On paper, these teams look about the same, Jacobs vs. Moreno, Orton vs. Manning, 6-4 vs. 6-4. But this game will come down to what defense will play better. I think that the Broncos pass defense will show up after allowing 32 and 23 points to San Diego, 27 points to Wahsington, 30 to Baltimore and 28 to Pittsburgh. The Giants will play well but Kyle Orton leads Denver to a 34-31 victory.
Texas vs. Texas A&M
We all know that Texas needs a win here and a win over Nebraska in the Big 12 Title game to make a BCS Title game, but right now all Colt McCoy cares about is winning their second straight vs. the Aggies on the road. Jerrod Johnson will be under center for TAM, while McCoy will call plays for UT. I think if Texas A&M can shut down the McCoy to Shipley connection, it could be a ball game. I like Jerrod Johnson to play a great game, what should be needed for the Aggies to win, but I think the UT running game will play another big part and Texas will win 30-20.
Channel listings
Green Bay vs. Detroit FOX 12:30 PM ET
Oakland vs. Dallas CBS 4:15 PM ET
Texas vs. Texas A&M ESPN 8:00 PM ET
NY Giants vs. Denver NFL Network 8:20 PM ET
Comments