The bye weeks are over, and we have a full NFL schedule for the rest of the way. I go into Week 13 at 111-64-1 (.663). Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
As the British would say, this is “the festive period.” No, I don’t mean Christmas and New Year’s, but Thanksgiving and my Dec. 1 birthday–the 56th time I get to say that. And with recent health issues, I don’t take it for granted, and I’m full of hope for the future.
We begin with my annual Thanksgiving high school pick.
(BONUS PICK) Calvert Hall 27, Loyola 18 (Thanksgiving morning, at Towson U.): As usual, this game doesn’t count towards our NFL total, but it’s the 100th renewal of the oldest Catholic high school archrivalry in the country. As a Calvert Hall ’81 grad, my pick shouldn’t surprise anyone, but Loyola has rebuilt its program very nicely this year. The Cardinals have won the last five straight and nine of the last ten against the Dons, but Loyola still has a seven-win lead in the series.
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Detroit 19, Chicago 10 (Thanksgiving afternoon): Both teams are struggling, but Thanksgiving is a time to reflect on family and nostalgia. These two used to meet on the fourth Thursday in November quite often, but it only happens once and a while now. Since this is Detroit’s annual habit, I’ll take the Motor City gang.
Dallas 23, Buffalo 20 (Thanksgiving afternoon): The visiting Bills have had an excellent season, riding the back of a strong defense. But the Cowboys traditionally do very well on Turkey Day, and I see no reason to pick against them this time.
New Orleans 33, Atlanta 13 (Thanksgiving night): The Falcons came to life earlier this month and took the Saints and Panthers by surprise–on the road, too. But this time of year cream rises to the top, and that means Saints, not birds.
Baltimore 31, San Francisco 17: The 49ers have had a great season. They’ll be a formidable challenge for the host Ravens. I’m picking the Ravens because, well, it’s my birthday and I’m going to be selfish about it. In 1996, the Ravens’ first season (in which they went 4-12), they played their first-ever home game against Pittsburgh on my big day and beat the Steelers, 31-17 at Memorial Stadium. Here’s hoping history repeats itself. By the way, the ‘Niners are 0-2 lifetime in Baltimore against the Ravens.
Pittsburgh 27, Cleveland 24: The names Richard Steele and Mills Lane might not sound familiar, but they are a pair of legendary boxing referees. Somebody like that will likely be needed Sunday in this rematch of the “Thursday Night Fight” in Cleveland just two weeks ago. It was flexed to an earlier start time, but a lot of eyes will be on this one. Whomever the ref is–good luck–as he and his crew will have their hands full.
New York Jets 22, Cincinnati 13: It’s the “Boomer Esiason Bowl” because the Maryland quarterback played for both teams. He also grew up on Long Island as a Jets fan. New York has shown signs of being competitive with some of the league’s upper crust. The Bengals have shown next to nothing. The Jets will win their fourth consecutive game. (Oh, my!)
Carolina 38, Washington 10: Before the expansion Panthers were born in 1995, many fans in that region were diehard Redskins supporters. Carolina has played in two Super Bowls since the Redskins’ last appearance, so things have certainly changed. But one thing won’t change in this game: the Redskins will fall back to earth after last week’s win.
Philadelphia 27, Miami 3: When Miami head-coaching legend Don Shula broke the all-time coaching wins record, he did it against Philadelphia, playing with a fourth-string quarterback. Ironically, that quarterback was Doug Pederson, who’s now the Eagles’ head coach who (in a double irony) also played for the Dolphins in a journeyman’s career. This one should be a blowout–despite the Eagles’ injury-riddled state.
Indianapolis 23, Tennessee 16: The AFC South Division rollercoaster has been filled with stomach-churning twists and turns. For a while there, Houston was in control, but Jacoby Brissett came back from an injury, and the Colts surged. Houston is on top again, but the Colts should win this one. They’re home, and the Titans are, well, enigmatic.
Green Bay 33, New York Giants 20: Just like the AFC South, the NFC North has had a few momentum swings as well. The Packers rule the roost, at least for now. They go on the road to face a Giants team that could be onto something with quarterback Daniel Jones–IF he’d stop turning over the ball.
Tampa Bay 29, Jacksonville 26: If this game were being played a month ago, I would have picked the Jaguars in a second. Not now, though. The Bucs know how to hang with teams offensively. If they can take better care of the ball and play a little more defense, they’re not as far away as some observers think.
Kansas City 34, Oakland 29: These two ancient archrivals are embroiled in the AFC West race. The Chiefs are coming off their bye week, anxious to recover their usually-formidable winning style at home. I think this one will be one of the week’s best games.
Arizona 23, Los Angeles Rams 20: This is my hunch pick of the week. The Rams are going on the road after a short week, even though it’s not a very long trip. The Cardinals are coming off the bye and have scared a few teams this year. With the Rams struggling, this could end up with an eye-opening result.
Denver 24, Los Angeles Chargers 17: The Chargers are coming back from a week off with their window having slammed shut. It’s time for them to re-evaluate the roster and look to next year. The host Broncos will probably be hungrier–not only to win a division game but to show fans they can win a home game.
New England 37, Houston 27 (Sunday night): If this matchup were not already in place as the Sunday Night game, it’s reasonable to assume that the Baltimore-San Francisco game would have been flexed here. But it’s the Patriots, the league’s reigning dynasty, against former Pats’ assistant, Bill O’Brien, on the other sideline. Houston is at home, but it doesn’t know how to win big games. New England does. The big question in this one is whether New England’s offense will get better … and soon?
Minnesota 24, Seattle 20 (Monday night): There are so many ways to look at this one. Minnesota is coming off its bye but has to go to the loudest stadium in the league. Then, again, the Seahawks have lost to good teams at home this year (Baltimore, New Orleans). That makes this game a juicy Monday Night match-up.
