15 Bold Predictions for Thanksgiving Day Games

For the past decade or so, there has been one team that has been the true turkey on the Thanksgiving football menu.

However, with a revival in Detroit, the Lions play an appetizing showdown with the unbeaten Green Bay Packers. What's more, the day's two succeeding games also present intrigue and storylines. 

Here are 15 predictions for today that go slightly against the grain of conventional wisdom.

Pettigrew Has More Catches Than Megatron

Over the course of the past three weeks, the Green Bay Packers have allowed the second-most catches (23) and yards (302) to opposing tight ends.

Detroit's Brandon Pettigrew is the perfect candidate to continue this trend. The third-year player out of Oklahoma State will become a focal point of the passing attack when the Packers secondary puts more focus on standout Lions wideout Calvin Johnson.

Plus, his touchdown last week against Carolina should prove to his quarterback, Matthew Stafford, that he is capable of hauling in his share of throws.

Ryan Grant Has 100-Plus Rushing Yards

The Packers offense has their scales tipped favorably towards the air vice the ground game. And why shouldn't it? Aaron Rodgers and Greg Jennings are too good to not be utilized to their maximum ability.

That said, there will be more emphasis on the run once the game at Ford Field commences.

Ryan Grant hasn't really returned to form since his season-ending injury in Week 1 of 2010. He has just 267 yards to his name so far this year. However, he should be able to thrive against a Lions run defense that yields nearly 135 yards per game.

Aaron Rodgers Throws Two INTs

There hasn't been a quarterback who's played better this season than Aaron Rodgers. If anyone wants to debate it, they'll lose.

His numbers are superb: 3,168 yards passing, 31 passing TDs, 72.3 percent completion rate.

Another staggering stat is his minuscule amount of interceptions, at four. That's especially spectacular when you consider how often he throws the ball.

Rodgers' air of efficiency and invincibility is set to take a slight hit when he comes across Detroit's front. The Lions have recorded 15 picks so far this season (tied for second in the NFL) and is ranked fifth in terms of passing defense.

Matthew Stafford Has More Than 300 Passing Yards

Matthew Stafford is also likely to mistakenly find the other team at the end of a couple throws Thursday. He's thrown six interceptions over the course of the last two weeks, and the Packers top the league in INTs.

The former No. 1 pick is also a good bet to have plenty of passing yards. And facing Green Bay's 31st-ranked defense against the air, expect it to be a high amount.

Stafford has eclipsed the 300-yard plateau four times in 2011 and has done so in each of the past pair of games.

Lions Will Beat the Packers

We've heard plenty about the 1962 Thanksgiving Day meeting in which the Lions knocked off an unbeaten Packers squad.

Nevertheless, it will be a similar story in 2011.

This will be Green Bay's third game in 11 days, and that wear will prove to have an effect over the course of the contest, as Detroit's menacing pass-rush can knock Aaron Rodgers on the ground often enough to rattle him.

It's also the Lions' prime opportunity to show a national audience that it's restored the roar in Motown. The Pack's porous passing defense is open to be carved up by the likes of Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson and will prove significant as Detroit ends Green Bay's hopes of perfection.

DeMarcus Ware Has Three Sacks

The declaration that DeMarcus Ware will get to the opposing team's QB isn't exactly going out on a limb. Let's face it, one of the game's best pass-rushers has 14 sacks in 10 games. 

Plus, the Dolphins' offensive line has yielded 30 so far this season.

But saying Ware will record three is a slight stretch. He's gone over two just once in '11. That came with a four-sack effort versus Philly in late October.

Reggie Bush Finds the End Zone

In 2010, Reggie Bush failed to score a touchdown. This year, transitioning from New Orleans to Miami, the speedy running back has steadily improved and appears to have found a place in the Dolphins offense.

His four rushing TDs have all come in the last three weeks. Bush will continue his small string of success when he takes on Dallas.

Jason Witten Scores Twice

If one is good, two is (obviously) better. Cowboys fans will be giving thanks to their reliable tight end when he becomes the MVP of their matchup with the Fish.

Despite the emergence of wideouts such as Dez Bryant and Laurent Robinson, No. 82 can always be counted on to be on the receiving end of Tony Romo's tosses.

Matt Moore Has Four Turnovers

In place of the injured Chad Henne, Moore has been a serviceable back-up as the Dolphins' signal-caller.

He's been solid in Miami's three straight victories versus Kansas City, Washington and Buffalo. Most importantly, he's limited mistakes.

That'll change when a hungry Cowboys defense is on the other side. Dallas will add to its 14 INTs, and don't be surprised if one of DeMarcus Ware's sacks also separates the ball from Moore's grasp.

Cowboys Cover the Spread

As it stands, Dallas is a seven-point favorite over the visiting Dolphins.

Both teams are coming into the contest with three-game win streaks that can best be described as unimpressive.

With momentum aside, the deciding factor in this one is quarterback play. In the past few weeks, Tony Romo has appeared to have played a much smarter brand of football than he occasionally does in late-game situations.

The Cowboys defense can force Matt Moore to beat them. That should produce turnovers and will give the Cowboys a two-touchdown victory.

Ray Rice Gets Eight Receptions

As Joe Flacco pilots the Ravens offense, he is able to utilize his running back as both a ball carrier and a pass-catcher.

In fact, he's gained just 150 yards more on the ground than he has totaled receiving.

Going up against a solid San Francisco defense requires more short passes than risks. With that, Ray Rice can expect to have his number called on several screens.

Gore Will Have Less Than 61 Rush Yards

The league's fifth-best rushing defense, combined with a less-than-healthy Frank Gore, will equal a mediocre day on the ground for the 49ers' No. 21. Granted, it won't be the goose egg he produced against the New York Giants, but it won't make his fantasy owners happy.

So, why is 61 significant? Because that's how many rushing yards Gore needs in order to pass Joe Perry (7,344) as leading rusher in franchise history.

He'll reach this mark, of course. It just will have to wait until after Thanksgiving.

Alex Smith Is Picked off Three Times

With the running game limited, more pressure will be placed on the steady Alex Smith.

The problem for the Niners is that the Ravens' passing D is almost as good as their ability to stop the run.

Smith has been deservedly praised for his fine job in managing the San Francisco offense and keeping his errors to a minimum. It'll come to a halt when he's force to throw against the likes of safety Ed Reed, one of the game's best at anticipating the pass and jumping in front of the receiver.

Niners and Ravens Total Under 25 Points

When you look at the team stats for both clubs, it's quite obvious that scoring is going to be limited in this prime-time showdown. 

San Francisco leads the NFL with fewest points allowed per game, while Baltimore ranks third.

That said, it's a rarity in today's league for two clubs to barely create a dent on the scoreboard. This will be one of those times.

Defense and field position will set the tone. Leave the track-meet to the Lions and Packers.

Ravens Will Beat the 49ers

In the much-hyped battle of the Harbaughs, it'll be John who will claim bragging rights.

His Ravens squad mixes stellar efforts with the occasional duds. But those impressive showings always come against worthy competition. And against a one-loss opponent, Baltimore will continue to play up to its opponent.

The defense will force Alex Smith into mistakes and have San Francisco playing from behind.

The Niners have proven to be a good team traveling to the east coast, but playing in the eastern part of the U.S. on just three full days of rest is another matter.

Final score: Ravens 14, 49ers 10