The NFL first imposed their games on Thanks Giving in 1934 when the Lions and Bears went at it. For the first 5 years, it was just the Lions and Bears. And since the game was created by Lions’ owner G.A. Richards, Detroit has been a mainstay in the holiday game.
Now obviously, when the NFL planned for the Cowboys and Colts to be playing on Thanks Giving, they expected at least two good teams to play holiday games on Thursday. And regardless of Jon Kitna’s fortune telling efforts, and the dreams of Brett Favre’s last hoorah, I don’t think the NFL’s schedule makers expected a huge 1 vs. 2 NFC North match-up, with Brett’s Packers looking to hold serve with the Cowboys and continue their run at the NFC’s best record.
However, You’ve got to love the NFL’s recent move to 3 games on Thanks Giving, as it leaves enough for a pre-feast game, an in-feast game, and a dessert-riddled game before you fall into a sleep-based coma then wake up on Sunday for some turkey buns. This is my Thanks Giving Day NFL preview.
Green Bay Packers (9-1) @ Detroit Lions (6-4)
Line: Packers (-3) @ Lions (+3) O/U 48.5
Time: 11/22/2007 12:30pm EST
The Packers’ defense has been great, and Brett has been out of this world, but in one of the biggest surprises this season, Ryan Grant has become a workhorse in the backfield for the Packers. The former Notre Dame back-up has been everything the Packers wanted when they drafted Brandon Jackson and DeShawn Wynn, and set Vernand Morency as their starter during the pre-season. Well, Grant may have been picked up from the New York Giant’s scraps, but he’s attacked the hole with fury, ran hard, ran fast, and put up big numbers against good defenses. Grant could be the balance the Packers need to win in the playoffs.
The Packers have been great on offense, but their sure tackling and big play ability has everyone in the league talking about their defense. AJ Hawk has been a beast, but the two old pros at corner, Charles Woodson and Al Harris, have been better than ever. The Packers are 9-1, and while Brett gets most of the credit, this defense has consistently smacked opposing offenses in the chops, and stopped teams when the Packers need it most.
Detroit has lost 2 straight games after starting 6-2, and now a playoff guarantee doesn’t look so sure. They still need to win 4 of their next 6 games to guarantee themselves a spot in the playoffs – something that starts out with a tough task hosting the Green Bay Packers on Thursday.
Jon Kitna has played well this season, leading his team, and while he hasn’t piled up the huge numbers he had last season, the Lions have won football games, and that’s the most important thing. The Lions haven’t done anything on the ground during their current 2 game losing run, finishing with negative rushing yards two weeks ago against Arizona, and not much more in a low scoring affair against the Giants last Sunday.
History: The Lions currently own an 11-5-1 Thanks Giving record over the Green Bay Packers. This will be the 67th time the Lions have played on Turkey Day, and the 18th time they’ve faced up against the Packers. The Lions are 33-32-2 on Thanks Giving. The Packers are 5-3 in their last 8 Week 12 contests.
New York Jets (2-8) @ Dallas Cowboys (9-1)
Line: Jets (+14) @ Cowboys (-14) O/U 47
Time: 11/22/2007 4:15 pm EST
Offensively, there aren’t many teams that can compete with the Cowboys, as they rank 2nd in the NFL putting up just under 400 yards of offense per game. They rank 3rd in the league in passing yards per game, and 10th in the league in rushing. They are an offensive juggernaut.
The Jets have been pathetic this season, but are coming off a recent win over the Steelers just last weekend. Kellen Clemens has done exactly what I expected, and opened up the offense for everyone. He may not be as football savvy as Chad Pennington was, but his ability to throw the ball hard and far give his receivers more room to make a play, and Thomas Jones has less people in the box.
The Jets haven’t been good defensively, but line backer David Harris and safety Kerry Rhodes are two players to keep your eye on. Both are tackling machines, and while Rhodes has been recognized as a very good player, Harris is just now getting his chance with Jonathan Wilma sidelined with injury.
This should be a better game that the records suggest.
Indianapolis Colts (8-2) @ Atlanta Falcons (3-7)
Line: Colts (-11.5) @ Falcons (+11.5) O/U 41.5
Time: 11/22/2007 8:15pm EST
However, the Colts haven’t really been the beacon of consistency lately either. After giving up a 4th quarter lead in their loss to New England, Indianapolis struggled to a 2nd straight loss in San Diego when Peyton Manning tossed 6 interceptions and Adam Vinitieri missed a chip shot game winning field goal. Needless to say, the Colts have struggled. Last week wasn’t any different, except they ended the game win a victory. The Chiefs played the Colts tough, and Adam had to make that last second field goal this time around.
Injuries have taken their toll on the defending Super Bowl Champs, and while things look to get a little easier when the Colts travel to Atlanta on Thursday Night, Indy can’t take any games lightly. Hopefully Marvin Harrison’s return will help Peyton get back to normal, and allow Indy to get back to their offensive dominance that got them to 7-0 in the first place.
This game could surprise some people, as the Falcons have come out with heart on more than one occasion this season, but my guess has the Falcons tumbling early, and the Colts regaining some confidence on path to their stretch run.
