at Tampa Bay- 27
Minnesota - 21
at Chicago- 24
Oakland - 23
at Cincinnati- 30
Pittsburgh- 20
at Cleveland- 17
Buffalo- 21
at Indianapolis- 28
Denver- 38
at Kansas City- 23
Seattle- 24
at Miami- 27
Tennessee- 20
at Jacksonville- 24
Baltimore- 28
at San Diego- 34
St. Louis- 16
at Arizona- 23
San Francisco- 34
at New Orleans- 27
Green Bay- 30
at NY Giants- 28
Carolina- 24
at Philadelphia- 16
Houston at
Detroit
The Chad Henne to Justin Blackmon connection was in full
force last week against the Texans. Whoa. That was tough to say. The seventh ranked defense in passing yards per game surrendered close to 250 yards
to Justin Blackmon alone, who doubled his career totals in one game. What happened to the Texans all-star cast on defense? Imagine
the possibilities for Calvin Johnson and Matthew Stafford if the Jaguars just
did that. Fortunately for Houston, the NFL does not work like that. Schemes
change. Strategies change. Wade Phillips will have this defense prepared. So
who wins in a matchup that features a very disciplined, methodical Houston team
and an undisciplined, but talented Detroit team? Despite playing on the road,
expect the Texans defense to bounce back from a poor performance and the Lions
defense to struggle to slow down the zone-run scheme that the Texans have
mastered.
Houston- 34
Detroit- 24
Washington at
Dallas
You have to love the energy that Rob Ryan has on the
sidelines. But watching the game his defense played against the Browns had to
be painful for him. Ryan seemed to have more enthusiasm and energy than some of
his players, specifically the defensive line. There were multiple plays where
members of the pass rush were caught standing still and playing paddy-cake with
Browns offensive linemen. On Thanksgiving, that defensive line will have the
opportunity to burn off some extra calories chasing RGIII before eating their turkey
dinners. This should be a fun game to watch from an offensive perspective. Both
quarterbacks can take plays that should lose yardage and make them into big
plays. The difference here will be the big plays, but also the quarterback that
limits his mistakes…Well, isn’t that obvious. But with two inconsistent teams
it is imperative that turnovers are minimal especially considering the
circumstances and consequences associated with this game. RGIII will be at his
best in his first Thanksgiving day game sending the Cowboys to a 5-6 record,
weakening their chances at a playoff berth.
Washington- 31
Dallas- 27
New England at
NY Jets
A couple of weeks ago Rex Ryan was voted as the most
overrated coach in the NFL and stated that he finally beat Bill Belichick in something. A
voting poll is still about the only thing he’ll beat Belichick in. There is a
lot of buzz in New York this week after the Jets demolished the Rams in week
eleven. Fireman Ed and the New York faithful should save their energy and enjoy
their Thanksgiving’s at home rather than at Met Life stadium to watch the Jets
lose. Rob Gronkowski is injured and that is definitely a blow to the Patriots
offense, but Tom Brady has always been resourceful enough to use an extra
running back or find a fourth receiver. Another weakness for the Pats has been
there secondary. However, New England should find it easy to defend against a
quarterback who rarely takes shots downfield. All hope is not lost when the Jets lose this
game though. A light schedule coupled with the mediocrity of the AFC could
still leave a spot in the playoffs vacated for the Jets taking.
New England- 42
NY Jets- 24
