NFL Week 13 Preview: Thanksgiving Football, Steelers Come To New England

NYG @ WAS

The Giants, the number one team in this week’s Power 10, are in the middle of one of the toughest stretches I can remember. Yet, they continue to win.

The only thing the Giants have to worry about is blowing their proverbial wad now and not having anything left in the tank come playoff time. They certainly don’t have to worry about the Redskins.

CAR @ GB

I’m starting to worry a little about the Panthers. Jake Delhomme has a sore elbow and really hasn’t been great the last three weeks. Though it was nice that he finally remembered that Steve Smith was on his team last week.

Even though Green Bay is under .500 right now, they still have a more than decent shot at their division. Nobody in the NFC North scares you, and nobody is going to go on a three or four game winning streak in December. But if the Packers lose this week, they’re likely done.

Gut-check time for Aaron Rodgers. And if there’s one thing that kid has, it’s guts. The Packers will stay alive in the NFC North with an upset (?) victory over the Panthers.

IND @ CLE

Nothing is going right in Cleveland. Nothing.

They finally make the right decision and play Brady Quinn. He looks good (OK, it was Denver). Then the kid breaks his finger and has to miss the rest of the season because playing could cause permanent tendon damage.

The Colts are rolling. They control their own destiny for the top wild-card spot, and they have the easiest remaining schedule (by far) of the three AFC teams with 7-4 records (the Patriots and Ravens are the other two).

They won’t lose this week, and they might not lose again until the playoffs. If then.

SF @ BUF

The Bills proved last week that they’re not giving up yet. Dropping 54 points on anyone is impressive, even if it’s the 2008 Kansas City Chiefs.

The Bills are still alive in the AFC playoff race. While it’s not likely that they can pass the Patriots and Ravens for the final wild-card spot, or the Patriots and Jets for the AFC East, it’s not completely out of the question either.

If they lose to the 49ers (which I can’t imagine is going to happen), then it’s over.

BAL @ CIN

This game is a must-win for the Baltimore Ravens. Their schedule is tough down the stretch. After the Bengals, they play Washington, Pittsburgh, at Dallas, and Jacksonville. The good news is that three of their last four games are at home. The bad news is that after the Bengals, their next three opponents have a combined record of 22-11.

If they want to keep pace with the Patriots and Colts, they need to win this game.

ATL @ SD

I bashed Donovan McNabb for losing a ton of close games a few weeks ago. Since then, I’ve gotten a few emails asking why I don’t give Philip Rivers the same treatment. I mean, the Chargers have made losing close games an art form this season.

The answer is simple: Norv Turner. Norv Turner defenses collapse at the end of games. Norv Turner teams mismanage their timeouts and can’t control the clock late in close games. Norv Turner teams lose games they should win. It’s the Norv Turner way.

Figuring out who’s going to win this game is pretty simple. Matt Ryan, plus Roddy White, plus the worst pass defense in the NFL, plus Norv Turner equals an Atlanta victory.

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