Cowboys Will Feast On Thanksgiving
Week 11 Results: 7-6
Record this season: 101-60
I hope everyone out there has a great Thanksgiving and enjoys some Turkey as well as time with their family and friends on this special Holiday.
If you’re having trouble doing either, keep in mind we could be in for quite a meal on Thursday with three intriguing matchups in their own right.
Week 12 of the NFL season has no shortage of divisional drama as there will be a total of eight division games this week.
The headliner of the week is a Thanksgiving day NFC East showdown between the Washington Redskins and Dallas Cowboys, with the winner leaving with first place in the division.
Elsewhere, The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers renew their rivalry at U.S. Bank Stadium as the Packers look to avoid having their postseason hopes damaged in a make or break game.
Gobble, Gobble everybody and enjoy the games!
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
Just two weeks ago the Chicago Bears defense harassed Matthew Stafford into two interceptions and sacked him six times in a 34-22 win. Mitchell Trubisky threw three touchdowns in that one, and while we don’t know what to expect on a game-by-game basis from him, Detroit’s opposing quarterbacks to throw for 10 touchdown passes over the past four weeks.
Prediction: Chicago Bears 27 Detroit Lions 16
Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys
The last time Colt McCoy played the Dallas Cowboys, he led a shocking upset in Dallas. But that was then and this is now, and as of right now it’s hard to foresee the Redskins winning a game without some absurdity in turnovers being forced, which in hindsight wouldn’t be surprising consider Washington is third in the NFL in takeaways.
Prediction: Dallas Cowboys 24 Washington Redskins 17
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints are peaking right now, and it’s due to one part of the team that often gets overlooked, the offensive line. The Saints offensive line is giving Drew Brees as much time as he needs while opening up holes consistently for the run game. These two aspects that the Saints are especially great at will be too much for the Saints, who m gave up 43 points to New Orleans in the first matchup.
Prediction: New Orleans Saints 45 Atlanta Falcons 23
San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The San Francisco 49ers are 0-5 on the road, but if you look at which team has been playing better football, it’s the 49ers. Turnovers will determine this one, and no other team is better at giving the ball away than the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Prediction: San Francisco 49ers 23 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20
Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals are struggling and seeing their season slowly but surely slipping away after a 4-1 start. Luckily for the Bengals, A.J. Green is set to return, a move that will bolster a Bengals pass offense in desperate need of a lift.
Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals 33 Cleveland Browns 27
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
We’ll learn a lot about the Philadelphia Eagles this Sunday. The question is this, are they going to give up? The team is hampered with injuries and Carson Wentz doesn’t look as razor sharp as they are coming off one of the worst losses in franchise history last Sunday. Giants are playing well, but the Eagles should be able to rattle Eli Manning enough to squeak out a win.
Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles 30 New York Giants 26
New England Patriots at New York Jets
The New England Patriots will be as healthy as they’ve been in a while on Sunday, but if they go out and let this be a competitive game, it’ll most likely be because Tom Brady looks all the more like a 41-year old quarterback should. Odds say that won’t be the case vs the Jets defense, and I agree.
Prediction: New England Patriots 31 New York Jets 17
Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills
Jalen Ramsey vs Josh Allen. The matchup we’ve all been waiting for since mid-August. The Buffalo Bills will surely try him in one way or another. At this point, it’s Buffalo looking to win and us questioning if Jacksonville has anything left to give after last week’s stinging 20-16 loss to Pittsburgh.
Prediction: Buffalo Bills 22 Jacksonville Jaguars 10
Oakland Raiders at Baltimore Ravens
The Oakland Raiders were victorious last week in Arizona, but face a stiffer challenge here. Joe Flacco may miss another game here and Lamar Jackson may get another start, but no matter, the Oakland Raiders defense should provide Baltimore’s offense with a lift.
Prediction: Baltimore Ravens 27 Oakland Raiders 15
Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers are hurting after a tough loss in Detroit, and now return home to face a well-rested Seattle Seahawks team that’s shown they can win on the road.
Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 24 Carolina Panthers 22
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers are coming off a loss, and a big reason why is because they lost the turnover battle 3-0. That isn’t likely to continue against a team that turns the ball over with as much frequency as Arizona. A rookie quarterback on the road vs an upset Philip Rivers?
Prediction: Los Angeles Chargers 30 Arizona Cardinals 9
Pittsburgh Steelers at Denver Broncos
The Pittsburgh Steelers have won six straight, but they’re playing it particularly close on the road this season. They did that in Week 11 against a Jaguars team that was riding a five-game losing streak, Denver is much better team and Mile-High is particularly tough to play in for a team like Pittsburgh that relies on its pass rush.
Prediction: Denver Broncos 30 Pittsburgh Steelers 27
Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts
The Colts are going strong right now, and Andrew Luck is at the center of it all. Speaking of centers, Indianapolis’ offensive line is pass protecting for Andrew Luck as well as we’ve seen in his career. Against a Dolphins team short of a pass rush, that should mean a huge day for the Indianapolis quarterback.
Prediction: Indianapolis Colts 30 Miami Dolphins 22
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings and Green Bay Packers played to a tie back in Week 2, and a big reason why was because of special teams…and also a poor roughing the passer penalty. Now, the Vikings get the Packers at a low point, losers of three out of four. The pass rush of the Vikings hasn’t traveled on the road as much, but at home it’ll be the difference in another high scoring affair as they force Green Bay into a late turnover to seal the game.
Prediction: Minnesota Vikings 33 Green Bay Packers 27
Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans
The Houston Texans are winning because of their defense, which is one of the most underrated units in the league led by J.J. Watt. The Titans had trouble in pass protection last week vs Indianapolis as Marcus Mariota left with an injury in the first half. No matter if it’s Mariota or Blaine Gabbert, the Texans defense will make this a long night for both.
Prediction: Houston Texans 23 Tennessee Titans 14
What are your thoughts on this week’s slate of games? Leave your comments below!