It wouldn’t be right to let Thanksgiving go by without a preview of today’s NFL football games. As we all stuff our face of turkey today and have football on in the background, let’s take a look at today’s match-ups and what to expect. Even if you start to fall asleep from the food coma, at least you’ll have some idea of what’s going on!
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions (-6, 50)
The Packers have struggled greatly since losing star QB Aaron Rodgers to a broken collarbone injury earlier in the season. Green Bay needs a win to keep pace in the NFC North and are currently one win behind the Bears and the Lions. Matt Flynn will get the call for Green Bay today in Rodgers absence and the Lions definitely haven’t forgotten when he torched them for 6 TD passes in the 2011 regular season finale. While the Packers are win-less in the past 4 games, rookie RB Eddie Lacy has been a workhorse doing his best to carry the team without their star QB. The Detroit Lions have not been playing their best football lately as they have committed 8 turnovers in back-to-back losses. The offense looks great otherwise and the defense has been keeping opponents running game in check, but this team is prone to making stupid mistakes at any given time. Lean towards the Lions in this one as Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson give the fans a show.
Oakland Raiders at Dallas Cowboys (-10, 46.5)
The Cowboys are tied atop the weak NFC East and are off the momentum of a 24-21 road win against the NY Giants. They can keep the pressure on with a win today and Dallas has been a solid team at home with a 4-1 record. QB Tony Romo is a big reason why Dallas has been better at home and he has thrown 17 TD’s in six Thanksgiving Day games. While the offense is still inconsistent, having RB DeMarco Murray back to full strength will help in giving it some balance. The Raiders are 4-7 and undrafted rookie QB Matt McGloin will get another start as he has passed for 457 yards and thrown 4 TD’s in the past two games. With the injuries this team is facing, McGloin will have to be at his best today to go into Dallas and get a win. Lean toward the Cowboys getting another home victory, but the score may be closer than people expect depending on how McGloin handles the Thanksgiving Day national scene.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens (-2.5, 40)
Both of these teams started off very slow this season but they have regained their focus and have moved forward to be in playoff contention. The Steelers have won 3 games in a row as they travel to Baltimore in a game that could have major implications come playoff time. Pittsburgh defeated Baltimore earlier this year in a nail biter as the Steelers won with a field goal as time expired. The Steelers started 0-4 and no one had much faith in them after their awful 55-31 loss to the Patriots a couple weeks ago, but head coach Mike Tomlin has righted the ship and his team has come alive especially on the offensive side of the ball. QB Ben Roethlisberger has limited his interceptions and WR Antonio Brown is having a career year. Meanwhile, the Ravens are hoping to get to a .500 W/L record tonight in a game that will be played in below freezing conditions. QB Joe Flacco became the league’s highest paid player after the Ravens Super Bowl win, but he certainly hasn’t been playing like someone worthy of that contract, already throwing a career-high 14 interceptions. RB Ray Rice has also had a down-year and is no where near as dominant as we’ve seen in the past. Lean toward the Steelers in this match-up as I like the way they are playing recently…Baltimore will need to show some heart and play mistake-free football in order to get this win.
Hip To The Game 