NFL: SJ's Thanksgiving Day Games Previews and Predictions

Every year we all get together with our families on Thanksgiving. It's a time to give thanks for our family, friends, all the gifts that we have and of course, football. Another thing to be thankful for is some halfway decent games this year instead of being stuck with Raiders vs. Lions.

New England Patriots vs. Detroit Lions

Even though it may not look good on paper, this should be a good game to kick off the Thanksgiving Day trio. The Detroit Lions have played almost every one of their games close and for awhile was without their young quarterback Matt Stafford.

Who has the edge?

Offense

Obviously, the biggest part of the Patriots success so the edge needs to go to them here. Even though Randy Moss is gone, this offense is still very good. Tom Brady and Wes Welker, who's immediate bounce back from an MCL and ACL tear has been amazing. They also have two young TE's in Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski who have looked good so far this season.

The Lions offense has functioned pretty well without Stafford though and have a lot of young weapons too. Calvin Johnson, who's one of the best young recievers in the league and rookie phenom Jahvid Best.

Edge: Pats

Defense: Yards wise, these are two of the worst defenses in the NFL, giving up 379 and 362 yards per game respectivley. Once again though, the Pats have the edge on defense.

The Patriots offense has been a main reason for their great start, but the defense has some good young players. Second year linebacker Jerod Mayo already has 70 tackles and is on pace for around 200. Still, there's not a lot about this New England defense to be happy about.

Edge: Pats

Special Teams

In terms of returning yards, the Patriots rank third and the Lions fourth. The Patriots have young WR Brandon Tate and the Lions have a young running back named Stefan Logan. The teams are pretty even when it comes to returners.

Kickers are also close, with Stephen Gostkowski of the Patriots making 10/13 with a long of 43 and Jason Hanson is 11/13 with a long of 52.

Edge: Lions

Coaching

Nothing against Jim Swartz, who has done a pretty good job so far in turning the Lions into a competitive team, but Bill Belichick is still one of the best coaches in the NFL. The Patriots genius coach will have them ready and like always will give them the best chance to win.

Edge: Pats

Prediction: In a high scoring game, I have to take the Patriots. The Pats are red hot and just have more weapons on their team then the Patriots do. Expect a big game from Tom Brady to kick off our day of Thanksgiving.

Patriots-38
Lions-28

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New Orleans vs. Dallas

At the beginning of the year, this game could have looked like a potential NFC Championship preview. Both teams have started slow, the Cowboys at a snails pace, and the Cowboys find themselves without starting quarterback Tony Romo, who broke his clavicle.

Offense

With Tony Romo, I'd give the edge to the Cowboys. They have talent across the board with Miles Austin, Roy Williams, who's surprised many(even Cowboys fans) with how he's played, and rookie sensation Dez Bryant.

Without Romo though, it's gotta be the Saints. With Drew Brees, Marques Colston and Reggie Bush back this is a very explosive offense who should be scoring a lot of points.

Edge: Saints

Defense

When they are playing at full force and not making dumb penalties, the Cowboys are a very good defense. DeMarcus Ware and Jay Ratliff are monsters on the defense and will cause pressure for Drew Brees all day.

Edge: Cowboys

Special Teams

One man makes the difference in this category, and that's Dez Bryant. Even though Dez is only a rookie, he's already returned a couple punts for touchdowns, including an 88 yard return on Monday Night Football against the Giants. Dez is a game changer and may already be the most talented person on the Cowboys.

Edge: Cowboys

Coaching

On one sideline, you have a coach who has a Super Bowl ring and made one of the gutsiest calls in Super Bowl history. On the other one, you have a “marshmellow with a headset” as ESPN's Collin Cowherd has put it on his radio show. A coach who probably won't have a job at seasons end. I'll take Sean Payton any day over Wade Phillips.

Edge: Saints

Prediction: From what I've seen, there's no reason to think John Kitna is going to put up enough points to be able to beat this Saints team. I'll take the Saints

Saints: 31
Cowboys: 17

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Jets vs. Bengals

This should be truly a Thanksgiving feast. On one side, there's Rex Ryan & his merry band of trash talkers (who can back it up). On the other side, there's the defending AFC North champions that are looking to recapture the magic and that features two of the great trash talkers of all time...Ochocinco & T.O.

Offense

The Jets are loaded. With Holmes, Edwards, Sanchez, Greene, Tomlinson et al at the skill positions and an OL that will hurt your feelings, the Jets are...well...loaded. Sanchez is growing from "bus driver" to playmaker. This offense can now make the big plays, the key plays and/or grind it out.

The Bengals are no slouches offensively. Palmer is struggling, but can be one of the better QBs in the league. Ochocinco is steady. T.O. is old but can still burn you deep if you blink, and few DBs can catch him from behind. Benson is a very solid RB.

Edge: Jets


Defense

The Jets have Revis...I could stop right there...Cromartie, Scott, Pace et al. They can afford to have a great sacker in Jason Taylor coming off the bench and playing only in obvious passing situations. Rex Ryan directs his Defense the way his daddy directed his...complex looks, blitzes out the butt, and smashmouth tackling.

The Bengals don't have many stars on Defense. They feature Cowboys' castoffs (uh oh), Tank Johnson, Roy Williams and Pacman...with Pacman already out for the season and Williams on the gimp. Dhani Jones is solid at MLB, but this Defense can be manhandled.

Edge: Jets


Special Teams

Neither of these two special teams are really special. Nick Folk...another Cowboys' castoff (What are the Bengals?..."Cowboys North"?) has been surprisingly consistent, but not quite as strong as the Jets kicker. Bryant is "okay" kicking for the Jets. Both teams' coverage and kick-off/punt teams are middle of the pack.

Edge: Bengals (by coin flip)


Coaching

The way Rex Ryan flaps his gums, you'd think he'd won several rings as a head coach. Reality is that he and Bengals' "on the hot seat" head coach Marvin Lewis have the same number of rings...ZERO. Ryan, though, does seem to have better command of his troops.

Edge: Jets


Prediction: On paper, this is not a blowout, but certainly a big-margin win for the Jets. However, any time you get those "85" and "Original 81" dudes for the Bengals in front of a national TV audience, anything can happen....even if it's just fines for excessive, but fun end-zone celebrations & sideline antics (Those two will surely Tweet during the game and hopefully wear some funny hats. LOL).

Jets: 27
Bengals: 21

Stephen "G-men" Chott is a Jabberhead and SJ Magazine NFL Contributor. Reg is an SJ Magazine Advisor & Contributor. Read & discuss this article and more in the Inaugural Edition of SJ Magazine.

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