Thanksgiving Football is such a huge tradition, maybe even more so than Turkey and Stuffing. Well, maybe not as big as that, but still a huge part of the overall Thanksgiving Day. We've got 3 good games here, and all 3 have HUGE playoff implications. Let's get right to the preview and breakdown of these games.
Green Bay @ Detroit
Thursday, 12.30 p.m.
- Ever since 1934 when Lions Owner G.A. Richardson set up the first Thanksgiving game between the one loss Lions and the undefeated defending Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears selling out the stadium. To this day, the tradition continues.
- The 6-5 Lions, host the 5-5-1 Packers. The Packers tied with the Vikings last Sunday and have already beaten Detroit once this season. In their defense, the Lions were without Calvin Johnson and Nate Burleson, both of whom are back for this game. The Lions have been quietly effective on both sides of the football. They pretty much have the best O-Line Football with Stafford being the least sacked QB in the league and one of the least hit QB's. Their 4th ranked rushing defense has allowed, on average, 33.3. yards per game in the last 3 games. Lacy & Starks are going to have to create opportunities for themselves and find some holes and lanes to run through. One of the Lions main weaknesses is susceptible to the big play ball. They've given up over 288.3 pass yards per game and 12.7 yards per pass completion. Turnovers are what did them in last week. Stafford had 4 picks, one including a Pick 6, and the Lions fumbled 3 times. They've got to protect the Football better against Green Bay. Use the ground game because Green Bay is vulnerable against the run. They've given up 171.3 yards on the ground in the last 3 games.
- But here comes Matt Flynn and the Green Bay Packers. The Packers season looked dead when Rodgers went down, but now since the Lions have dropped 2 in a row, they have a chance to get back in the hunt. People seem to forget Matt Flynn had his best game against these same Detroit Lions a few years ago with 480 pass yards, throwing 6 TD's in the Snow. Flynn probably won't have that same game again, but he'll have have to have a big game to pull this one out. The Lions, like I said, are prone to giving up the big play and even using different zone schemes against Jordy and Jones won't be enough. This is where Green Bay misses Jennings. Giving Green Bay so many deep threats is what made them so dangerous. Their running game is ranked 5th in the league, going up against the 4th ranked rushing defense in the league. Lions have played the run very well in the last 3 games. The Packers secondary is beatable and with Megatron and Burleson back, Stafford still has one of the best arms in the league and will find ways to make plays down the field.
- It begins and ends with Green Bay. Can Matt Flynn put up numbers and move the ball down the field consistently? Can Green Bay's defense stop Megatron & Burleson? How will Green Bay's 5th ranked rush defense stack up against Detroit's 4th ranked rush defense? Green Bay's defense isn't as stingy as the Bucs defense was, but the Lions have averaged 3.0 giveaways per game. If the Lions can hold onto the ball, use their ground game, and make smart plays, Green Bay won't win. The Lions secondary needs to step up and defend the big play and make Flynn use other ways. Rodgers is a long shot to play, and this is Detroit's chance. Detroit hasn't won the North since 1993. If they drop 3 straight and let Green Bay lose, they'll never be the same. They need to beat Green Bay sweep them, and hold on the division. It's about who wants it more. Both teams want it.
Detroit has lost the last NINE Thanksgiving Days Games. Their last win on Thanksgiving was in 2003…..against the Green Bay Packers. I got Detroit.
Prediction: Lions defeat Packers
Oakland @ Dallas
Thursday, 4:30 p.m.
- The Cowboys have been a huge part of Thanksgiving just like the Detroit Lions. Around 1966, Cowboys G.M. Tex Schraumm saw the Thanksgiving Day game as a way to get the team some attention. They broke an attendance on their first Thanksgiving Day Game defeating the Browns 26-14. Up to this day, the tradition still continues.
- Up until last year, Tony Romo was Undefeated on Thanksgiving. RG3 and his team came in and defeated the Cowboys 38-31. The Cowboys defeated the Giants last Sunday and are now back in 1st place of the NFC East. They can extend their lead with a win here. The last time Oakland played Dallas on Thanksgiving was in 2009, and the Cowboys won 24-10. It all starts with The Cowboys defense. They're DEAD LAST in total defense with over 400 yards allowed per game, ranked 25th in points allowed, and opponents have averaged 204.3 yards on the ground in their last 3 games and are going up against the 4th ranked rush defense averaging 140.6 yards on the ground per game. It is a top priority to Dallas to defend the run and get off the field on 3rd down. They've allowed 5.2 3rd down conversions per game. Dallas is going to be able to move the ball and put up consistent points, but they'll need to defend against the run and control the clock.
- The Raiders are going with Matt McGloin again. He's 1-1 so far, should be 2-0, and has played well. I still believe Pryor gives this team the best chance to win with his dual threat ability, but McGloin is a better pocket passer. He's found a favorite target in Streater and Rashad Jennings has fueled the ground game in McFadden's absence. Their offense starts with running the ball. That's their bread and butter, in my opinion. And as poor as Dallas' defense is, giving up 204.3 yards on the ground, they'll have a chance to control the clock, run down their throat and have consistent ball movement. Their passing game is inconsistent and will need to get better and spread the ball around against Dallas' secondary. I don't think McGloin will have huge numbers, but if they don't overcomplicate the game plan for him and not let him do too much, he can have a good game against Dallas' secondary.
- Dallas' defense has been statistically the worst this season and Oakland has been running the ball very well this season. Pryor's running ability may have helped them out in this game, but McGloin is an effective passer and can be great for this team down the road. Pryor is a runner first, but he can't run forever. At Home, on Thanksgiving, I think Dallas will step up on defense, Romo, despite the record, has played really well this season. The Raiders are 4-7 and their playoff hopes went down after Kendall Wright scored the game winning TD, defeating Oakland. On paper, the Raiders should run all over Dallas, but give me the Home team to win. Wouldn't be surprised if Dallas blew them out either.
Prediction: Cowboys defeat Raiders
Pittsburgh @ Baltimore
Thursday, 8:30 p.m.
- The NFL felt two games weren't enough on Thanksgiving, so since last season, they've added a third game at Night. This year, we get the Steelers and the Ravens, a rivalry that's been well documented. Both teams come in now at 5-6 fighting for the #6 seed. The last time these teams played, Pittsburgh won 19-16.
- Steelers are on a roll. After starting 0-4, they've won 5 out of their last 7 games behind Big Ben's arm. Their running game hasn't been as explosive, but they've gradually gotten better. They're in the bottom 5 in rushing offense, but have averaged 87 yards in the last 3 games. On both sides of the ball, Pittsburgh has gradually gotten better. Big Ben has playing well, making plays with his feet, effective throwing the ball down the field, tossing 14 TD's to only 5 INT's in this 7 game stretch. Their defense has been better. They're still susceptible to the pass, but they're quicker and more aggressive off the ball, they get to the QB, averaging 3.3 sacks in their last 3 games, and they're getting back to what works for them. Big Ben making plays and playing good defense.
- The Ravens have been a wreck also. Pittsburgh's won 5 out of the last 7, Baltimore has won just 3 out of their last 7 games. They're running game, like Pittsburgh, has been non-existent. Flacco hasn't been playing up to that contract he got before the season and I constantly forget that this is the team that won the Super Bowl last season. But here the Ravens are at 5-6 fighting for a playoff spot against their division foes. The Ravens defense dominated Geno last week and Flacco had a solid game and the Jets defense is solid. Pittsburgh coming into town should rile up this team. Their defense is still solid and stingy against the run. They've given up 19.5 points per game. If there's any bright spot on this team, it's that their defense plays well and gets to the QB, generating serious pressure. That offense needs to protect the ball. Pittsburgh's averaging almost 3 takeaways per game. They need to be ready to defend Big Ben and his playmaking ability outside of the pocket, and that offense has to be more consistent at moving the ball. Torrey Smith only had 61 yards in their last meeting. Spreading the ball around and not making themselves one dimensional is a good way to go.
- You can count one thing with these two teams, it'll be a low scoring, gritty, hard hitting game. I personally like that kind of Football between these two teams. Baltimore is just an average team. Pittsburgh is getting better game after game. It'll come down to which defense can stop which QB. Both teams running games are stagnant, and haven't produced well, and Big Ben has been playing better than Flacco. Across the board, even in Baltimore, I'm taking the Steelers. If there's any team that'll nab that #6 seed, it'll be Pittsburgh.
Prediction: Steelers defeat Ravens
Enjoy The Games and have a Happy Thanksgiving!
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By: Gerald "Showstopper" Prophete
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