Turkey Day football!

By Dan Rodgers

Happy Thanksgiving! I hope everyone enjoys their Thanksgiving, and it's full of food, family and football. The first game is actually already underway: Pats (-6.5) at Lions. The Lions currently lead 7.3 on a touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson (no surprise).

The Pats just punted back to Detroit. The Lions defense has looked very good since the first drive when they gave up the field goal. Surprisingly, there has been a ton of punts already in a game that I thought would be full of points. Don't get me wrong, it's still early, but I figured the over/under would get blown out of the water (51 points).

I picked New England in the book, mainly because they are the safe choice and everyone else did as well so I can't lose any ground. Obviously I'll be rooting hard for Detroit, and the Lions actually play very well at home. They are 2-2, with both losses by three points each to the Jets and Eagles.

The next game on is at 4:15, the Saints travel to Dallas to take on a recently tough Cowboys team. Dallas is 2-0 since Jason Garrett has taken over the head coaching job. The Saints have looked good as of late and should be able to beat Dallas handily. I like New Orleans to cover the 3.5 point spread.

The late game is between the Cincinnati Bengals and my New York Jets. The Jets host a Thanksgiving game for the first time that I can remember and come into the game tied for the best record in the NFL (8-2). The Jets are nine point favorites and look to make a statement by winning a game before the final 30 seconds. Cincy is terrible this year (2-8), and absolutely sucked in the second half last week against Buffalo getting outscored 42-3.

I have been thinking about the Bengals covering this one because the Jets have been playing close games recently, but after reading some articles I am beginning to believe this has massive blowout potential written all over it. The one thing I am worried about is that we play the Pats Monday night in New England next week. It's the biggest game of the year so this could be considered a 'look ahead' or 'breather' alert. However, hosting the Thanksgiving game tonight should negate that.

Jets will win by 20 plus.

Note: Lions ball, four minutes left in third, tied at 24.

Rodgers That

NFL Week 11: Games to watch

By Dan Rodgers

Game 1

Packers at Vikes - This game has to be on the list due to the ever-popular Brett Favre factor. However, it should be different from how it was last season when Brett came out and played like a champ. The Vikings have been struggling all season and Green Bay is starting to get into a rhythm. Look for A-Rod to put up big numbers as usual, but especially because the Packers aren't a running team and Minnesota's strength on defense is against the run. Brett will probably do what we expect and throw two INTs. Look for Jennings to catch a deep ball or two.

My Prediction: Packers (-3) 27 Vikings 16


Game 2

Indianapolis at New England - This is clearly the game of the week, as it has been every season for a while. Some how, even though these teams aren't in the same division, they manage to play every season. Brady vs. Manning is what everyone wants to see. Personally, Manning is a much better QB, but Brady has benefitted more from a better team and especially a better defense. Manning would have at least two more rings if his defense had been decent. Today is an interesting matchup because Brady doesn't have Moss and have of the Colts team is on the IR. Manning will have to win this on his own, but he has won five of the last six.

My Prediction: Pats 30 Colts (+3.5) 28


Game 3

Giants at Eagles - I'm going to keep this one short. New York played awful last week against a disgraceful Dallas team. Philly set records in a rout of the Redskins last week; Vick is playing out of his mind. The Eagles are at home, and they're going to win. Period, the end.

My Prediction: Eagles (-3) 34 Giants 23

Rodgers That