CLEVELAND, OH — With Thanksgiving finally here today, and many of us set to travel to spend time with our families and eat lots of turkey, another great tradition will be happening today.
NFL football on Thanksgiving.
As we are set to stuff and ward down loads to turkey, ham, stuffing and mashed potatoes, there will be some heated discussions regarding various games happening ing this weekend.
Below are my predictions and picks for Turkey Day.
Kansas City Chiefs (6-5) at Dallas Cowboys (5-5-1): America’s Team vs. The World’s Team. Jerry Jones vs. Taylor Swift.
In a much anticipated game that is expected to draw a record audience of 50 million plus viewers, you have two of the NFL’s marquee teams meeting on the country’s biggest holiday and best players in a late afternoon game.
This game could potentially tally end the Chiefs dynasty, as they are limping into the Metroplex at a very vulnerable 6-5, and narrowly beating the faltering Colts.
If the Chiefs hope to keep their slim postseason hopes alive, then Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce and company need to channel that inner championship DNA, and fast.
In the case of Dallas, you have a suddenly different and resurgent Cowboys team that at 5-5-1 looks a lot better rushing the quarterback, thanks to the additions of DL Quinnen Williams and LB Logan Wilson.
QB Dak Prescott is looking like an MVP in lighting up opposing defenses this season in averaging 267.4 yards a game and throwing for 2,941 yards, 23 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Who is really beginning to emerge into a true weapon is WR2 George Pickens, who leads the Cowboys in receiving yards with 1,054 and eight touchdowns.
Somehow, it’s not wise to bet against Mahomes, who was born and raised in the greater north Texas area in Whitehouse, and wants to put on a show in his Texas homecoming.
Prediction: Chiefs 37 Cowboys 36
Cincinnati Bengals (3-8) vs. Baltimore Ravens (6-5): Don’t let the records fool you in this intense AFC North rivalry clash, as Bengals QB1 Joe Burrow is expected to make his return vs the Baltimore Ravens in a 8:20pm primetime clash.
Despite being 3-8, Cincinnati is arguably the most dangerous under .500 team in recent memory thanks to the rerun of Burrow and his prolific WR duo of JaMarr Chase and Tee Higgins.
Yes, while Unc Joe Flacco filled in admirably for the Bengals, most notably torching the hated Steelers on a Thursday Night game in a 33-31 win, it would be Flacco’s lone win in the Bengal stripes and lose the next four straight.
Enter Mr. Burrrow.
In two games vs. the Ravens last year, the 2019 Heisman Trophy winner out of LSU torched the Ravens for 820 yards in two losses.
For his career, Burrow is 1-5 vs. Baltimore, and with Lamar Jackson on the mend and not as dangerous as he usually is, now is Burrow’s best chance to earn his second victory vs. Lamar.
For the Ravens, this is a critical time for them, as Jackson is seemingly limited in being the usual dual threat headache that he is.
Whatever is ailing Jackson, the Ravens will need all of the two-time NFL MVP, as they face a brutal gauntlet of games in the archrival Steelers twice, the up-and-coming Patriots and the Bengals again and the Packers.
This matchup vs Cincinnati is critical as it comes, and look for Charm City to come thru.
Prediction: Ravens 31 Bengals 21
Green Bay Packers (7-3-1) vs. Detroit Lions (7-4): A Thanksgiving clash that’s as classic as a plate of mashed potatoes, turkey, ham and stuffing itself, the Lions and Packers clash on Turkey Day once again for the 23rd time. The most frequent in NFL history.
With the Lions holding a 12-9-1 advantage in this series, the Packers come into the Motor City winning three of their last five games, most notably beating the New York Giants, 27-20 and the hated Minnesota Vikings, 23-9.
For all of his inconsistencies at times, Packers QB1 Jordan Love has all the makings of a future NFL MVP. He has the arm, the weapons and the perfect team surrounding him to make big plays. It’s just that at times, Love overthinks things and makes unforced mental gaffes at the wrong time.
If he can clean these things up, the Packers could be a much better team. Thank god for the blockbuster Micah Parsons deal that has galvanized a once suspect defense.
In the case of the Lions, the Motor City Kitties are slowly beginning to rev up their proverbial engines for a long postseason run thanks to QB1 Jared Goff and his supporting cast of RB1 Jahmyr Gibbs, WR1 Amon-Ra St. Brown, etc.
If the Lions hope to continue their postseason push, they need this game and with that crazy Detroit crowd at their back, look for the Lions to out-duel the Packers in an instant classic.
Prediction: Lions 38 Packers 35