Therefore, the two teams that always play on Thanksgiving Day, the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys, will host their games. The Lions (4-6) face the Houston Texans (3-7) while the Cowboys (3-7) will play Washington, which is also 3-7 in the putrid NFC East division race.
The Cowboys finally got a win last weekend and along with Washington and the New York Giants are tied for second place in their division with the Philadelphia Eagles in first place with a 3-6-1 record. Meanwhile, the Lions laid an egg last weekend and were shutout by the Carolina Panthers, 20-0 to remain in the basement of the NFC North division. The Texans have won two of their last three games and could pose a big challenge to the Lions on turkey day.
As for the Steelers and Ravens, it's round two this season as Pittsburgh won, 28-24 in Baltimore a month ago. The Ravens (6-4) have lost three of their last four games and trail the Steelers (10-0) and Cleveland Browns (7-3) in the AFC North chase. Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson has struggled in recent weeks and looks nothing like the MVP from the 2019 season. Meanwhile, the Steelers have allowed the fewest points in pro football this year while Baltimore ranks third in the NFL in that area.
Look for the teams to battle it out again and perhaps the Ravens can get back some of the players they were going to be missing had the game taken place on Thanksgiving Day due to positive tests for the virus. The Steelers rate the edge in this one as they have been more consistent on both sides of the ball and QB Ben Roethlisberger has been outstanding so far this season, passing for 24 touchdowns with just five interceptions.
Two other games of note this weekend include the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-4) hosting the Kansas City Chiefs (9-1) and the battle for first place in the AFC South division between the Tennessee Titans and Indianapolis Colts taking place in Indy. Both teams are coming off overtime victories last week, The Colts outlasted the visiting Green Bay Packers, 34-31 while the Titans came back to defeat the Baltimore Ravens, 30-24 with running back Derrick Henry leading the way and scoring the winning touchdown on a 29-yard run.
The Buccaneers fell at home last Monday night to the Los Angeles Rams, 27-24 with QB Tom Brady struggling all game long, including a costly interception in the final two minutes of the game. The Chiefs won a thriller in Las Vegas last Sunday night, 35-31 against the Raiders to run their winning streak to five games. This one could go in one of two directions. The Chiefs could blow out the Bucs or it could come down to the final possession with quarterbacks Patrick Mahomes and Brady going at it with the passing attacks.
The rest of the action for Week Twelve is included with the capsule style format and the Heftyinfo predictions following up.
Las Vegas (6-4) at Atlanta (3-7) - Falcons could spring the upset in this one, but the Raiders cannot afford to lose this game in what is a wild AFC playoff race.
Arizona (6-4) at New England (4-6) - Exciting young Cardinals QB Kyler Murray goes against aging, but one time exciting QB Cam Newton for the Patriots in this one. Toss up.
Miami (6-4) at N.Y. Jets (0-10) - Can this be the game where the Jets put it together and get a win? It's possible, but not likely.
Cleveland (7-3) at Jacksonville (1-9) - The Jaguars have lost nine consecutive games. The Browns are in serious playoff contention. Recipe for an upset? Not likely, but you never know.
L.A. Chargers (3-7) at Buffalo (7-3) - The Chargers have been in every game they play this season, so the Bills better be ready.
N.Y. Giants (3-7) at Cincinnati (2-7-1) - The Giants could emerge from this game tied for first place in their division. The Bengals begin the rest of the season without rookie QB Joe Burrow. Toss up in this one.
Carolina (4-7) at Minnesota (4-6) - The Vikings let one get away last week while the Panthers rolled past the Detroit Lions. Toss up here as well.
New Orleans (8-2) at Denver (4-6) - The Saints are going for their eighth consecutive victory while the Broncos will look to rattle reserve QB Taysom Hill with their defensive attack. Saints win in a squeaker.
San Francisco (4-6) at L.A. Rams (7-3) - The Rams should win this game, but the 49ers will not just roll over.
Chicago (5-5) at Green Bay (7-3) - The Bears play their arch rivals in "prime time" on Sunday night with perhaps Mitch Trubisky back as the starting quarterback. Packers would like to put more distance between themselves and the rest of the divisional foes.
Seattle (7-3) at Philadelphia (3-6-1) - The Monday night game in the battle of the birds. Seahawks better be ready because the Eagles are a desperate football team.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Twelve . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Thanksgiving Day Games
Houston over Detroit
Dallas over Washington
Sunday Games
Atlanta over Las Vegas
Buffalo over L.A. Chargers
N.Y. Giants over Cincinnati
Minnesota over Carolina
Indianapolis over Tennessee
New England over Arizona
Miami over N.Y. Jets
Cleveland over Jacksonville
New Orleans over Denver
L.A. RAMS over San Francisco
Kansas City over Tampa Bay
Green Bay over Chicago
Monday Night Game
Seattle over Philadelphia
Tuesday, December 1 (subject to change)
Pittsburgh over Baltimore
Last Week's Record - 11-3
SEASON RECORD - 113-47-1
Lock of the Week Record - 9-2
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