NFL: 20 Bold Predictions for Thanksgiving Day Football
On Thanksgiving, most of us visit with our families, eat some turkey, tell some jokes, and then go watch some football.
Football on Thanksgiving starts with the New England Patriots at the Detroit Lions, continues with the New Orleans Saints at the Dallas Cowboys and finishes with the Cincinnati Bengals at the New York Jets.
Here are 20 bold predictions for Thanksgiving day NFL Football.
I already predicted the Detroit Lions would be playing on Thanksgiving because they always do.
20. The Lions Will Score Three TDs vs. the Patriots
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The Patriots are considered by most to be one of the top three teams in the NFL right now.
The Lions are considered to be one of the worst.
But that won't stop the Lions from scoring three touchdowns against the Patriots.
The Pats' secondary is suspect, and the Lions can throw the ball.
19. Saints vs. Cowboys Will Be Decided in the Fourth Quarter
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Overall, most people would agree that the Saints are a far superior team than the Cowboys this year.
But I see this game actually being pretty close until the fourth quarter.
The Cowboys have looked like a completely different team since Jason Garrett took over, and I believe their offense can keep up with Saints.
But the Saints will pull away in the fourth.
18. Chad Ochocinco Will Score a TD in New York
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This would have been a tough thing to say even last year when the Bengals were clicking, given the Jets defense.
But Chad Ochocinco, who has four touchdowns all year, has had two in the last two games, and I expect him to eke one out on Thanksgiving.
When he gets rolling, he can be a handful. He will probably try hard in this one, then call it quits the rest of the season when the Bengals lose.
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17. Jahvid Best Will Have 100 Total Yards and a TD
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Jahvid Best, held to three carries last week and still tentative on his turf toe, will nonetheless be used a lot against New England because it could get ugly fast if the Lions don't utilize all their stars.
The coaching staff will have no choice but to send Best out there often for fear of being the laughing stock of families eating turkey legs.
As a dual threat, Best will gain close to 50 yards on the ground and over 50 through the air.
16. Reggie Bush Will Play
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For the first time since week two, Reggie Bush will play in a 2010 football game.
As of this writing, he is being listed as questionable, but I think the coaching staff will take Dallas seriously enough to finally get Reggie Bush out there.
He needs to start getting back into rhythm to help get this team to the playoffs and be warmed up when the Saints get there.
15. Chad Ochocinco Will Mock Santonio Holmes' Week 11 TD Celebration
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It's not very bold to declare Chad Ochocinco will celebrate after scoring a touchdown.
But you never know what he's going to do in that celebration, that's the catch.
I predict he will make like a jet and mock Santonio Holmes' game-winning touchdown grab in Week 11.
14. Brandon Tate Will Have the Best Game of His Young Career
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Ya, I know the Patriots are playing the Lions, and of course they're going to score a lot of points, but Brandon Tate hasn't exactly been targeted a lot this year. Excluding his week eight performance against Minnesota, Tate has not had more than four catches in a game and more than 50 yards receiving.
But that will change against Detroit, as the Patriots, after gaining a quick, sizable lead, will look to strengthen their squad's supporting cast in preparation for the playoffs.
This is the perfect opportunity for the Patriots to try out some things without fear of it backfiring on them. I expect them to get Brandon Tate much more involved in this game.
13. Jon Kitna Will Get in a Shouting Match With New Coach Jason Garrett
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Through three quarters, as mentioned before, things will be OK for the Dallas Cowboys.
Then the fourth quarter will come.
Disaster will strike, the Saints will pull away, and Jon Kitna will lose some confidence from Jason Garrett.
Some choice words from Jason Garrett in the heat of the moment will ignite Kitna, who will lash out on camera.
12. Terrell Owens Will Be Held to under 50 Yards Without a TD
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Terrell Owens has been virtually the only player on the field that has consistently produced for the Cincinnati Bengals this year.
But that will all change come Thanksgiving.
With Darrelle Revis blanketing T.O., Carson Palmer will turn his attention to his other receiver, Chad Ochocinco, and show him more love.
11. Fred Taylor Returns to Playing the Game of Football
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In a shocker, both Reggie Bush and Fred Taylor make it out onto the field on Thanksgiving.
The Patriots have no reason to use Taylor much against the Lions, but they will decide it's a good game to ease him back into the season, against a cuddly Lions run defense.
And with Brandon Tate, the Patriots will be able to coast in Detroit.
10. Robert Meachem Will Have a Big Day
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Saints receiver Robert Meachem, despite being expected by many to have a breakout year, has instead found himself as a No.3 receiver behind Marques Colston and Lance Moore.
That's not to say he's not used, though. He had two of his four 2010 touchdowns last week against Seattle.
In a close game, Meachem has the chance of being a difference-maker against a shaky Cowboys secondary. I expect him to get behind the defense for a long bomb.
9. Shonn Greene Will Have a Better Game Than L.T. and Score a TD
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Don't know if anyone's noticed, but LaDainian Tomlinson hasn't been doing much on the ground lately for the Jets, averaging under four yards per carry in the last five games.
Shonn Greene however, has seen his rushing attempts increase lately. He's received 20 and 15 carries the last two weeks, the most since his 22 carries in week four.
He gained 72 yards on the ground against Cleveland. Against Cincinnati, I expect over 80 yards rushing and a TD.
8. Nate Burleson Will Have a Good Game Against New England
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After a bad first four games with his new team in 2010, former Seattle Seahawks dependable receiver Nate Burleson has scored four touchdowns in his last six games, including a 97-yard, one TD performance against Dallas last week.
Against a so-so secondary in New England, I expect Burleson to have a big game, especially with most teams still paying way more attention to Calvin Johnson (as they should).
7. Jerrico Cotchery Will Score a TD
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Jerrico Cotchery had 821 yards receiving for the Jets last season. This season, he's been largely ignored, in large part due to Santonio Holmes and Braylon Edwards play.
He's had more than 29 yards receiving just three times in nine games this year, and he has but two touchdowns on the season.
But he will score against Cincinnati, because he will be given more chances in what won't be a competitive game in New York.
6. Lions Safety Louis Delmas Flips Off Tom Brady
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Lions safety Louis Delmas was fined $5,000 by the team in early October for flipping off the fans of Minnesota during the game.
He will somehow intercept a Tom Brady pass (probably by it landing in his hands after a tip), and he will immediately flip Tom Brady off in his only opportunity to ever say he got the best of Tom Brady.
5. Felix Jones Will Fumble Again, But Score His Second TD of the Season
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Speedy RB Felix Jones, who has seen his opportunities and touches increase since Jason Garrett's promotion, will fumble for the second straight game, showing why Wade Phillips was cautious in utilizing him more during his tenure with Dallas.
But he will make up for it with another touchdown off a screen pass.
4. The Jets Will Be Fined for Celebrating a TD and the Bengals Won't
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Can't get much bolder than this, saying the Bengals won't receive a fine for excessive celebration, even after predicting Chad Ochocinco will score.
But I expect Chad Ochocinco to be on his best behavior when Carson Palmer decides to throw his way, knowing full well he's not the only big receiving threat this season. He wouldn't want to do anything that would cost the Bengals and upset Carson.
The Jets, on the other hand, should have many chances to celebrate, and their "flying jet" trademark celebration a la Santonio Holmes will go awry when the whole team partakes in it, delaying the game for a long while.
3. Prediction: New England 38, Detroit 21
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The Patriots will destroy Detroit, but that's not the bold prediction.
The bold prediction is the score, which will be right on (if I'm looking at my crystal ball right).
2. Prediction: New Orleans 30, Dallas 24
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The fact that the Dallas Cowboys even come close to the Saints is a bold prediction in itself.
1. Prediction: New York Jets 27, Bengals 14
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The fact that the Bengals score two touchdowns against the Jets in New York is bold enough, thank you.
Have a good Thanksgiving everybody, try to spend some time with your family intermittently while you watch a lot of football.
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