Going out tonight, so all 12 of todays games will be summarised in one post. Thanksgiving day saw Green Bay extend to 11-0, Dallas pip Miami in an absolute cracker, and Baltimore enuring that John Harbaugh got the better of his younger brother. 24 teams play over 3 kickoff slots today, and I'll be back with an in-depth preview of the Monday Night Football clash between the Giants and the Saints tomorrow.
Early Games
Minnesota (2-8) at Atlanta (6-4)
The Donovan McNabb experiment didn't work out and Christian Ponder doesn't look quite ready for the NFL yet (although giving him this level of on the job experience could be a good thing - or destroy his confidence completely) and it looks like the Vikings have written this season off and are rebuilding for next year. But with Adrian Peterson in their team (who has 11 touchdowns, more than both of the team's quarterbacks combined this season) they always have a chance. The Falcons are on their third consecutive home game, and won handsomely against the Titans a week ago. Matt Ryan is playing well, and star rookie receiver Julio Jones should be back from injury. The Falcons should win this, and their excellent rush defence should be able to shut the Vikings main offensive threat Peterson down.
Prediction: Minnesota 10 Atlanta 27
Cleveland (4-6) at Cincinatti (6-4)
The most surprsing thing about the Browns this year is that they've managed to win 4 games. They beat Jacksonville last week (in what was by all accounts one of the worst games of the season) but will struggle on the road against their vastly superior divisional rivals. Colt McCoy completed only 17 passes against a weak Jaguars defence, and will struggle against the Bengals impressive defence. Andy Dalton - a second round pick no less - is in the running for the AFC offensive rookie of the year award, and his fellow rookie, receiver AJ Green - who should be back this week - is also having a brilliant debut season. The Bengals will have too much for the Browns, and put themselves back into playoff contention.
Prediction: Cleveland 6 Cincinatti 38
Carolina (2-8) at Indianapolis (0-10)
The Panthers are again having a disappointing year. However, the Colts are utterly awful. Cam Newton, despite having won only 2 games is surely leading the running for NFC offensive rookie of the year with 21 overall touchdowns and over 3000 all purpose yards. Veteran receiver Steve Smith is also enjoying a resurgance under Newton's stewardship, and despite the results not really showing it, the reigning Heisman holder has turned the Panthers into a pretty good unit. In stark contrast, losing Peyton Manning has destroyed the Colts. Kerry Collins came in, stunk the place up and got himself injured, and Curtis Painter looks as if he'll be a career backup to someone. The Colts can't beat anyone just now, and the Panthers wll get a morale boosting win, with Newton's stats taking a pretty good boost.
Prediction: Carolina 34 Indianapolis 10
Houston (7-3) at Jacksonville (3-7)
With the Colts being utterly shocking, the Texans had the chance to finally win the AFC South. They are comfortably ahead in the division, but they've been dealt a hammer blow with the news that quarterback Matt Schaub has been placed on injured reserve. Matt Leinart will get the start, but with only one start in the past four seasons, he may struggle to get up to pace. The Jaguars couldn't even beat Cleveland last week, and have been quite frankly atrocious all year. Blaine Gabbert has completed less than 50% of his passes since getting the starting job, and without Maurice Jones-Drew, they may have no offence at all. Despite the loss of Schaub, the Texans will win this game, but if Leinart doesn't work out, the AFC SOuth could become this year's NFC West.
Prediction: Houston 24 Jacksonville 17
Buffalo (5-5) at New York Jets (5-5)
The Bills' great start to the season has fizzled out completely, and as they prepare to face their divisional rivals (and possible rivals for a playoff place) Ryan Fitzpatrick knows he needs to start improving the team's fortunes. The Bills have been restricted to just 26 points in their last three games, and coming up against a Jets defence which has been excellent despite the losses, the Bills could really struggle. Speaking of struggling, the Jets have lost their last two games since beating the Bills in the reverse fixture 3 weeks ago. The Meadowlands is a bit of a fortress for them though, but Mark Sanchez needs to pick up his game if teh Jets are to make another playoff run. Jets win in overtime.
Prediction: Buffalo 24 New York Jets 30
Arizona (3-7) at St Louis (2-8)
Can I just take this opportunity to pass on my condolences to anyone who lives in this game's TV market. The NFC West is never a strong division, but the stranglehold the 49ers have this year (they need just 1 more win to secure the division) is embarrassing for the other teams. The Cardinals, led by Kevin Kolb (who should be doing better) and the Rams, led by Sam Bradford (who is at least showing signs of promise) are terrible teams. Both are offensively poor, but both defences are awful as well. This could either be high scoring (if the defences are true to form) or low (if the offences are true to form). Either way, the Rams' home advantage gives them the win, and the two teams identical records of crap.
Prediction: Arizona 13 St Louis 16
Tampa Bay (4-6) at Tennessee (5-5)
The Bucs have failed to capitalise on last year's good late form, with quarterback Josh Freeman not looking like the player he did in the second half of last season. Playing in a tricky division hasn't helped them, and the trip to London seemed to hurt them more than they would have hoped. The Titans have been no better than average, with problems in defence overshadowing their good offensive play. Matt Hasselbeck has played well, and although he may not be fully fit, first round pick Jake Locker hasn't looked bad when he's had to step in, throwing two touchdowns himself. The Titans should have enough to win this one, but it will be a close one.
Prediction: Tampa Bay 24 Tennessee 27
Late Games
Chicago (7-3) at Oakland (6-4)
The Bears know that realistically their only shot at the playoffs is through the wildcards, with Green Bay comfortably atop their division. They'll have it tough in Oakland though, as the Raiders are on a good run. Remarkably this is the only game of the day between 2 sides with winning records, and looks set to be the game of the day. The Bears are without Jay Cutler, who has an injured thumb, so Caleb Hanie will make his first ever start. Hanie has the makings of a good quarterback but has only completed 8 passes in his career. He'll need a lot of help from his offensive line, and especially running back Matt Forte. The Raiders have improved markedly since the arrival of Carson Palmer, who has 6 touchdowns in less than four games since becoming a Raider. Palmer also seems to have revitalised the entire Oakland offence, and with Cutler out and Hanie in, I see the Raiders winning and taking a further lea in their division.
Prediction: Chicago 13 Oakland 24
Washington (3-7) at Seattle (4-6)
Oh dear. Don't expect this to be any good. The Redskins have been awful for weeks now, and Rex Grossman is back in their starting lineup. Grossman is probably a slightly better quarterback than John Beck - although that doesn't say too much in favour of Grossman - but their offence is tepid, and their defence is sloppy at best. The Seahawks were 2-6 a fortnight ago, but good wins over Baltimore and St Louis have put them back on track. They're never going to be a playoff team again this year, but Tavaris Jackson has finally found his game, and the Seahawks will roll the Redskins over.
Prediction: Washington 9 Seattle 27
New England (7-3) at Philadelphia (4-6)
Tom Brady is having another MVP candidate season and the Patriots are looking good. Michael Vick is questionable for the Eagles, but Vince Young had a great game against the Giants last week when he was in as backup. The Patriots offence has been sparkling all season, but their defence has struggled against passing teams, and no matter who's in at quarterback, they will have to deal with passing. The Eagles defence as well though, have been pretty shocking. This has the makings of a high scoring game, and could be a cracker.
Prediction: New England 38 Philadelphia 37
Denver (5-5) at San Diego (4-6)
Tim Tebow had led Denver to wins in their last three games despite completing a total of 21 passes. He seems to be winning games, but to me, still doesn't look like a long term starting NFL quarterback. The Broncos have improved since he came in though, and this week waived former starting quarterback Kyle Orton, meaning Tebow is now their man no matter what. There could be a fall from grace coming for him though, as defences begin to figure out his unorthodox game. The Chargers have been having a hellish season, compunded by a nightmarish performance in Chicago last week which saw Philip Rivers intercepted twice and their leading rusher Ryan Matthews gain just 37 yards and fumble the ball twice. As much as it pains me to predict a Tim Tebow win against a team that should be good, the Broncos good form coincides with the Chargers capitulation, and unless Tebow's fall begins tonight, the Broncos will scrape another win.
Prediction: Denver 21 San Diego 20
Sunday Night Football
Pittsburgh (7-3) at Kansas City (4-6)
The Steelers have recovered well from their shaky start, and seeming inability to beat Baltimore aside, are looking good for another run at the playoffs. Ben Roethlisberger has refound his touch, and as always, their defence is almost inpenetrable. Kansas City have scored just 13 points in their last 2 games, and I just cannot see any way that they'll be able to beat the Steelers. Pittsburgh to win another Sunday Night Football blowout.
Prediction: Pittsburgh 48 Kansas City 6
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