Last Week: 11-4
Season: 11-4
I got off to a strong start last week with my NFL picks column. It would have been nice if I had actually bet the games… if gambling were legal of course.
It’s a quick turnaround with 3 games on Thanksgiving day starting at 12:30pm EST with the Detroit Lions hosting the New England Patriots. Without further ado my picks for Thanksgiving Day football! Home team in capitals.
Patriots (-7) over LIONS
Tom Brady is always on the Patriots injury report. However when he was deemed questionable with a foot injury this week, it made many take notice. Brady will end up playing and should have a strong afternoon against the Lions. Detroit is much improved compared to the last few seasons and head coach Jim Schwartz should be commended for starting to turn the Lions franchise around. Even though the Lions are 2-8, five of their eight losses have been by 7 points or less.
The Lions normally play a strong game at Ford Field on Thanksgiving Day. Additionally, this could be a trap game for the Patriots. Coming off of two huge wins in Pittsburgh and at home against Indianapolis last week, could New England have another disappointing performance similar to their Week 9 loss at Cleveland?
A lot of things in this matchup point to the Lions at least covering the spread. However my gut tells me the 8-2 Pats make another statement on the road and enjoy their 10-day layoff.
Saints (-4) over COWBOYS
It feels a bit uneasy to pick another road team but the Saints will win this matchup and win it handily. Dallas is 2-0 under interim head coach Jason Garrett but their win streak will not reach 3. New Orleans has scored 34 points each of the last two weeks and Drew Brees has thrown for 300+ yards in 3 of his last 4 games. RB Reggie Bush is likely to return to the Saints offense as well.
The Cowboys defense has played better the last two weeks after allowing an average of 40 points per game in their previous three contests. However, they haven’t faced an offense as explosive as the Saints. Although New Orleans got off to a slow start, they have scored 27 points or more in each of their last five games. The Saints high powered offense will have a big day as New Orleans will win and cover.
JETS (-9.5) over Bengals
The Bengals entered Week 17 last season with a 10-5 record and as one of the feel good stories of the 2009 season. Two weeks later they had lost two straight games to the Jets and their season was over. What the heck has happened to Cincinnati? While much of the focus has been on the Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings, Cincinnati has had an incredibly disappointing season. The 2-8 Bengals were embarrassed last week allowing 49 points to the Buffalo Bills.
WR Terrell Owens called out Darrell Revis this week stating that he was an average cornerback. Cincinnati can continue to talk the talk but they have yet to show that they can walk the walk. The Jets have played 3 straight nail biters but they won’t make it a 4th. Rex Ryan will enjoy his Thanksgiving dinner after a big Jets victory.
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