The Dallas Cowboys (5-5-1), who have played every Thanksgiving Day game since the 1978 season, will host the Kansas City Chiefs (6-5) in a battle that could be considered an "elimination game" as both teams have multiple opponents ahead of them in the conference playoff races. The Chiefs hung tough for a big win against the Indianapolis Colts last week and now face a resurgent Dallas defense that has been less generous in giving up yardage and points since a trade with the New York Jets for defensive tackle Quinnen Williams. Kansas City will look to pressure Cowboys QB Dak Prescott into forcing the ball out too soon to his receiving duo of CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, who is having a huge season.
Thursday night will have the surging Baltimore Ravens, who at 6-5 have won five in a row and share first place in the AFC North division with the Pittsburgh Steelers, taking on the Cincinnati Bengals (3-8) in Charm City. The Ravens are looking to become just the fifth team ever in NFL history to make the playoffs after starting the season with a 1-5 record. The Bengals will have starting quarterback Joe Burrow returning from a severe toe injury suffered back in Week Two that required surgery. Ravens QB Lamar Jackson has been less than stellar since his return from a hamstring injury and needs to get the offense humming against one of the worst defenses in the NFL. This one will be a treat to watch as the holiday winds down.
On Friday, the Chicago Bears (8-3) take on the Philadelphia Eagles (8-3) in a game between two first place teams. The Bears have definitely been a surprise this season, but the Eagles have been there and done that as they look to defend their Super Bowl title and are coming off a very disappointing loss in Dallas last Sunday. They blew a 21 point lead and gave the Cowboys new hope for their seemingly slim playoff chances. The Bears have won four consecutive games and their defense leads the league in takeaways through the first eleven games. Philadelphia has been up and down in 2025, but still has a sizeable lead in their division.
On Sunday, two games stand out as the Buffalo Bills (7-4) host the slumping Pittsburgh Steelers (6-5), who once upon a time this season, had a big lead in their division only to see the Baltimore Ravens come storming back with five straight victories while they have lost four of their last five games. Also, starting QB Aaron Rodgers has been nursing a fractured left wrist injury and missed last week's loss to the Chicago Bears. The Bills have been struggling as well after a hot start and are looking at a tall task to win their AFC East division again this season. Better balance on offense for Buffalo is needed and QB Josh Allen cannot turn the football over if they are going to win this game.
The Houston Texans are 6-5 and will take on the leaders in the AFC South this weekend on the road when they face the Indianapolis Colts (8-3) in what will be a tough game. The Texans, Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars (7-4) are in a log jam in the division race and this is the first of two times they play each other over the final six games, including the season finale in Houston. Indianapolis lost a heart breaker in Kansas City last week, blowing an eleven point lead in the final quarter before losing, 23-20 in overtime. Colts QB Daniel Jones has come under fire in recent weeks for the amount of turnovers, so this will be a big test facing a rugged Houston defense that leads the AFC in scoring defense.
The rest of the NFL action (all 32 teams are playing this week) is featured in the capsule style format and the Heftyinfo picks will follow up.
L.A. Rams (9-2) at Carolina (6-6) - The Rams are on fire and look to be the odds on favorite for the Super Bowl, but there are still six games left to play. The Panthers need this one to keep pace with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the NFC South race.
San Francisco (8-4) at Cleveland (3-8) - The 49ers should get the win, but that Browns defense gets after opposing quarterbacks, especially Myles Garrett, who leads the NFL with an astounding 18 sacks in eleven games.
New Orleans (2-9) at Miami (4-7) - Suddenly, the Dolphins are winning games and that should continue in this one against a bad Saints team.
Atlanta (4-7) at N.Y. Jets (2-9) - Who cares?
Arizona (3-8) at Tampa Bay (6-5) - The slumping Buccaneers need a "get right" game and this one vs. the Cardinals should do. However, Bucs starting QB Baker Mayfield is injured and could miss this one against a plucky Cards team that plays hard.
Jacksonville (7-4) at Tennessee (1-10) - The Jaguars are looking to keep the momentum going against a Titans team that has taken many lumps this season.
Minnesota (4-7) at Seattle (8-3) - You think Seahawks QB Sam Darnold doesn't want to stick it to his former team after they let him go following a career season?
Las Vegas (2-9) at L.A. Chargers (7-4) - Chargers roll in this one.
Denver (9-2) at Washington (3-8) - This Sunday night game could be another blowout (like last week) if Denver's offense shows up to play. The Commanders are still battling too many injuries.
N.Y. Giants (2-10) at New England (10-2) - The Monday Night Football game featuring the only team already eliminated from the playoffs race taking on the most improved team from a year ago. Take the Patriots.
The Heftyinfo picks for Week Thirteen . . . . . . . . . . . . . (Home teams are listed in bold; Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)
Thanksgiving Day Games
Detroit over Green Bay
Kansas City over Dallas
Baltimore over Cincinnati
Friday Game
Philadelphia over Chicago
Sunday Games
L.A. Rams over Carolina
San Francisco over Cleveland
Houston over Indianapolis
Miami over New Orleans
N.Y. Jets over Atlanta
Tampa Bay over Arizona
Jacksonville over Tennessee
Seattle over Minnesota
L.A. CHARGERS over Las Vegas
Buffalo over Pittsburgh
Denver over Washington
Monday Night Game
New England over N.Y. Giants
Last Week's Record - 9-5
SEASON RECORD - 115-62-1
Lock of the Week Record - 11-1
No comments:
Post a Comment