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NFL Thanksgiving Day Games

Chicago at Detroit (+3)

After another bar of Alice’s Restaurant Massacre, the first Thanksgiving game is, as usual in Detroit, where the (4-6) Lions host the surprising NFC Norris division leading Chicago Bears (7-3). The line dropped from Bears -4 to Bears -3 on the speculation that Chicago QB Mitch Trubisky may not play (shoulder) forcing backup Chase Daniel into the starting role.

Daniel is a serviceable QB and as the Bears will rely on their running game and their defense, the difference might not be much of a factor for this game anyway. The short week may affect his ability to prepare adequately however, so we should see a little rust.

Detroit cut their losing streak to three when the Lions were gifted a one-point victory by dopey Panther Coach Riverboat Ron Rivera when he inexplicably went for two with the score 20-19 Detroit with a minute left in the game. Cam overshot his target and the Lions knelt for their win.

Unfortunately for the Lions, their rookie rushing sensation, Kerryon Johnson out of Auburn will not play due to a sprained knee. This will pit Stafford against a Bears pass rush led by Khalil Mack. Remember Detroit gave up 10 sacks a couple of weeks ago in Minnesota.

So looking at a Bears running game and a Lions passing game favors Chicago so we are going to go against our usual home dogs in a division game theory and take Chicago to hold the Lions down and win the first game by a FG or more.

Washington at Dallas (-7)

Another division rivalry game pits the Cowboys at home against Colt McCoy and the Skins. The ghosts of Pat Summerall and John Madden will call the game and vote on the turducken at the two minute warning. Redskins QB Alex Smith suffered a brutal leg fracture in last week’s loss to the Texans and is out for the year. Washington is only a game ahead of Dallas at 6-4 now and beat the Cowboys at home in week 6 by a FG. The Cowboys are riding high after consecutive wins over Philly and Atlanta to save Jason Garrett’s job. We give Dallas the edge here and they could cover late as Washington does have enough anything to mount a late charge in case they fall behind early.

Atlanta at New Orleans (-13)

In the third divisional game of the day, the red hot Saints (9-1) take on the struggling Falcons (4-6) in New Orleans. Atlanta lost for the 3^rd time this season on the last play of the game and besides that, injuries have destroyed their chance at the playoffs in 2018. In week 3 in Atlanta NO won 43-37. Since then the Saints have dominated the league and last week crushed the defending Super Bowl Champion Eagles, 48-7. NO is a legit favorite to win the big game in February. Laying 13 in a divisional game is usually ill-advised but Drew Brees is as on fire as he’s ever been and NO is virtually unstoppable with weapons in the air and on the ground behind a formidable offensive line. The defense is creating havoc with sacks and turnover as well, while the Falcons are hurting in the secondary. NO by 3 TDs.

Happy Thanksgiving from all the Bozos!

-HB