Gobble, Gobble! Thanksgiving NFL Game Picks!
By John Hendrix
Dec 29, 2013; Arlington, TX, USA; Philadelphia Eagles running back LeSean McCoy (25) runs the ball in the fourth quarter against the Dallas Cowboys at AT&T Stadium. The Eagle beat the Cowboys 24-22. Mandatory Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I hope you are getting the opportunity to spend today with the special friends and family in your lives. We’re releasing a very special pick’em article today that only focuses on today’s matchups. Barry headed a very successful week of picks, and only missed one game! WOW! He takes the lead over Andrew, and sits high and mighty as we enter this week.
Here’s the staff standings after Week Twelve:
- Barry (@HarahanWhoDat), 120-55-1
- Andrew (@ShootsMcGavin), 118-57-1
- John (@JohnJHendrix), 118-57-1
- Simon (@Daugulis), 116-58-1
- Federico (@FedeFerrari10), 114-61-1
- MacGyver (@SaintsTailgate), 112-63-1
- Ryne (@RHancock19), 107-68-1
- Ian (@IDear_Sports), 104-71-1
We’re focusing on just today’s Thanksgiving matchups, and we have some beauties. Here’s how the pick distribution goes for today:
Sep 29, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford (9) recovers his own fumble and then crosses the goal line for a touchdown in the second quarter against the Chicago Bears at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Chicago (5-6) at Detroit (7-4)
If there’s ever a time for the Lions to win, it’d be Thanksgiving. They’ve suffered two defeats against tough foes (Cardinals, Patriots), and it feels like their confidence and swagger has been shaken. Enter the Bears, who were able to fend off the Bucs last week and negate Lovie Smith and Josh McCown for some revenge. Chicago lost to Detroit in last season’s shootout 40-32, but this game doesn’t have any feelings of another high-powered duel.
We all can remember the days when we didn’t think Detroit should be playing on Thanksgiving because of the poor quality of games, but it’s a tradition that dates back to 1934. The Lions broke a major curse last season when they pummeled the Packers 40-10. I like them to get things back on track this week to keep the NFC North interesting.
Philadelphia (8-3) at Dallas (8-3)
This will be a highly entertaining contest between these two in a battle for the NFC East. Did you know that the Eagles are 5-0 on Thanksgiving matchups? Their last contest was in 2008, when they beat down the Cardinals 48-20. Believe it or not, the Cowboys and Eagles have only met once during Thanksgiving, and that was back in 1989. The Eagles manhandled the Cowboys 27-0 amidst the controversy of the ‘Bounty Bowl’.
We all remember last year’s game, as the Kyle Orton lead Cowboys were poised to get into the postseason and win the NFC East on the final drive, but Brandon Boykin had other plans. His interception with 1:43 left in the game would seal the Eagles victory, and have them host the Wild Card game the very next week.
These two have had some good matchups in the past few years, but the advantage has been mostly in Dallas’ favor, who have won three of the last four games. This game has the makings of a high scoring affair, as both secondaries are likely to be torched today. I believe this game will be decided on the final possession, and I believe the Eagles are poised to play spoilers today.
Jan 19, 2014; Seattle, WA, USA; Seattle Seahawks cornerback Richard Sherman (25) tips a pass intended for San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Michael Crabtree (15) that is intercepted by Seahawks outside linebacker Malcolm Smith (not pictured) in the fourth quarter of the 2013 NFC Championship game at CenturyLink Field. Mandatory Credit: William Perlman/THE STAR-LEDGER via USA TODAY Sports
Seattle (7-4) at San Francisco (7-4)
In a battle of NFC West gridirons, these two look to threaten the Arizona Cardinals for the division. However, the loser of this matchup will be put in a real pickle with so many teams trying to claim two of the Wild Card spots. After looking good for a couple of games, the 49ers seemed more vulnerable against the Redskins.
The story of this matchup centers around the home teams, as the 49ers have not lost at home to the Seahawks since the 2008 season. We can’t forget the last time these two teams met, which was in the NFC Championship game. Let the image of Richard Sherman and his crazy post game antics be forever remembered.
One can appreciate the chess matchup between Jim Harbaugh and Pete Carroll, but at the end of the day, I like the Seahawks to break the losing streak at San Francisco and keep rolling.
Who do you have winning today? How are you celebrating? Let us know below!