NFL SpreadSHREDDER, Week 12: Detroit Lions Won't Lay Down for the Patriots

SpreadSHREDDER Week 11 Record ATS: 0-1

Week 11 Record vs. Wagering Total: 2-0

Overall Record ATS: 16-14-1

Overall Record vs. Wagering Total: 2-1



The annual tradition of football on Thanksgiving has bumped the SpreadSHREDDER up to a Wednesday as we combine the two American traditions of eating Turkey and degenerate gambling.

Despite the lopsided matchup based solely on win/loss records, tomorrow's NFL games could all figure to be closer than the naked eye suggests.  Had it not have been for the SpreadSHREDDER, countless Americans would probably embarrass themselves in front of their own friends and families with seemingly logical sentiments of how "Tom Brady and the Patriots will rip the Lions!"

Oh, shoot, we just gave one away.

DETROIT (+7) OVER NEW ENGLAND {Sportsbook.com}

The Patriots will be coming off of back-to-back emotional victories over elite AFC teams that they may see again in the playoffs.  It's also worth mentioning that their most recent win, a landmark rivalry win over the Indianapolis Colts, was a slightly phony win that saw Tom Brady amass fewer yards per attempt than Peyton Manning. 

With a showdown against the New York Jets on the horizon, a game that will likely decide your AFC East Champion, it is highly probable that the Patriots will come out flat and execute a more vanilla game plan against a non-conference foe the week before they have to play the Jets.

The Patriots' hot string of back-to-back thirty point games is bound to hit a wall as they will be coming off of a short week.  Playing a road game against a more competitive Lions team than we've seen in year's past makes the Patriots an even more  inflated favorite.

New England's shoddy, fatigued pass defense will have to deal with Calvin Johnson, Nate Burleson, and a pass happy Lions offense that will look to exploit the many holes in New England's secondary.  Enough of these Thanksgiving blowouts in Detroit already. 

DETROIT, 27-17.

MINNESOTA (+1) OVER WASHINGTON {Sportsbook.com}

Believe it or not, the Vikings actually have something to play for:  Leslie Frazier's job.  The talented, superstar interim head coach, who the players like a lot more than that prick Brad Childress, has been patiently pacing sidelines while mired in Brad Childress' ineptitude.  Now, Frazier has his chance to shine.

A re-energized Vikings team, equipped with Sidney Rice in his second week back, should be a mismatch for Washington's deplorable pass defense.  The Redskins will be fatigued coming off of an overtime win over Tennessee on a short week.

This game will basically be Dallas @ New York Giants version 2.0 as the prideful Vikings reach their potential. 

MINNESOTA, 30-14.

PHILADELPHIA AT CHICAGO, UNDER 42.5 {Sportsbook.com}

The Philadelphia Eagles, who are still playing way too high over the wagering total, will travel to Chicago where the temperatures are expected to be in the mid-30s.

Against a dominant defense that continues to keep Chicago upright, don't look for Michael Vick to run or pass all over the Bears as this one will figure to be one of those slug-fests that the purists like so much.

Jay Cutler, while still mistake-prone, has turned into a game manager and the Bears just don't have a big play guy they can consistently rely on.

On a slow field with two respectable defenses, expect a reasonably low, point total in a competitive contest between two NFC teams in a playoff hunt.

Going against an inferior defense with a better pocket passer at quarterback, the Eagles and Bears amassed a total of 44 points.

This year should be similar, except lower.

PHILADELPHIA, 20-17.

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