NFL Week 12: Thanksgiving Edition, Picks and Predictions

At the beginning of the season, the games played on Thanksgiving looked like they would be great games and have meaning to them. 

How drastically that has changed. This year, the games on Turkey Day feature the Patriots in Detroit, the Saints in Dallas and the Bengals in the Big Apple to face the Jets.

Here are my picks for Thanksgiving. Enjoy. 

New England Patriots at Detroit Lions

Jim Rogash/Getty Images

FOXBORO, MA - NOVEMBER 21: Tom Brady #12 of the New England Patriots reacts with teammate Dan Koppen #67 of the New England Patriots after a touchdown in the first half at Gillette Stadium on November 21, 2010 in Foxboro, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Roga

I understand that it's a Thanksgiving tradition for the Lions to play, but can't we end that tradition until the Lions are competitive? Each year the Lions play on Thanksgiving, and each season they are embarrassed.

Don't expect anything less this season. 

The Lions are without Matthew Stafford, and they have a defense that can't stop anybody. That doesn't bode well. Tom Brady is having an MVP season and shredded both the Steelers and Colts defense the past two weeks. 

This game won't be close—the Patriots will dominate this one as the Lions struggle yet again on Thanksgiving. 

Fearless Forecast: Patriots 34, Lions 17

New Orleans Saints at Dallas Cowboys

Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

NEW ORLEANS - NOVEMBER 21: A fan of the New Orleans Saints holds up a sign for 'Saintsgiving' during the sign against the Seattle Seahawks at Louisiana Superdome on November 21, 2010 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

At the beginning of the season, this was supposed to be a matchup featuring two of the NFC's best. You know the story, though. The Cowboys season has been a disaster; but now, under Jason Garrett, they look rejuvenated, winning their last two games. 

The Saints come into this game slowly but surely regaining their 2009 form, and will likely have Reggie Bush back this week. This won't be easy for the Saints, as the Cowboys offense is clicking right now. 

A trendy upset pick will be to pick the Cowboys because of how well they have been playing recently. I'm not buying into it. 

The Saints get revenge on the Cowboys from last season. 

Fearless Forecast: Saints 27, Cowboys 20

Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets

Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - OCTOBER 31: Darrelle Revis #24 of the New York Jets reacts against the Green Bay Packers on October 31, 2010 at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)

In two games last season against the Jets, the Bengals were outscored 64-14, and that was when they were good. A season later, these two teams are headed towards opposite paths, with the Bengals at 2-8 and the Jets at 8-2. 

The main story line in this game will be the matchup between Darrelle Revis covering Terrell Owens. The two exchanged words over the week, with Owens calling Revis an "average" cornerback. We saw what happened when Chad Ochocinco called out Revis last year in the playoffs—will the result be the same for Owens? 

The Bengals have been a complete embarrassment this season, highlighted by their collapse against the Bills last week where they gave up the final 35 points of the game to lose, 49-31. Meanwhile, the Jets have been lucky the past three weeks, but are escaping with wins. The Jets have been winning ugly, but a win is a win. 

The Jets go to 9-2 here while the Bengals drop their eighth straight game. 

Fearless Forecast: Jets 20, Bengals 14