Regardless of financial status, family life, career, or lack of Twitter followers, we can all find at least one thing to be thankful for this Thanksgiving… and so can all 32 NFL teams. And yes, that includes the Colts.
Last Week: 8 – 6 – 0
Season: 98 – 62 – 0
Thursday
Packers at Lions
I’m almost certain I’ve said this every Thanksgiving since I started this blog, but I’ll say it again. I hate Thanksgiving food. It’s old-fashioned. It’s boring. It’s not Chick-fil-A. You know what is just as bad as the food? Sitting around the table watching everyone else stuff their face with food you’re not interested in while there’s a perfectly good football game to watch. In years past, this hasn’t been such a big deal. But this year? Whoa. I mentioned to my wife the possibility of me just hanging out on the couch during dinner this year. As you can imagine, that went over about as well as the time I told her I thought we needed two more plasma TVs so I could watch four games at once instead of just two. Needless to say, I won’t get what I want this Thanksgiving. But that’s ok, because neither will the Lions. Aaron Rodgers is too good. Put him in a dome, in front of national audience, and he’s untouchable. The Packers should be thankful they dropped Favre when they did. The Lions should be thankful Matthew Stafford has remained relatively healthy. I’m thankful for this intriguing matchup. 38-31 smells good. PACKERS If I were Charles Barkley; Packers -6.5
Dolphins at Cowboys
I can’t wait for the Leon Lett footage. The anticipation is killing me. Don’t be fooled by the records here. The 3-7 Dolphins are a feisty bunch and winners of their last three. I still don’t think we have a clear idea of who the Cowboys are, but we should know in a couple of weeks. I’d love to pick the Dolphins to pull the upset, but offensively, I think they come up a little short. Besides, it’s still November. Tony Romo doesn’t self destruct until December. (Duh.) Miami should be thankful the Dolphins still give a crap after starting the season 0-7, because you know, a specific NBA superstar in Miami gave up after the NBA Finals was tied at two. As for the Cowboys, they should be thankful for the Giants’ remaining schedule. COWBOYS If I were Charles Barkley; Cowboys -7
49ers at Ravens
The Harbaugh Superbowl. Better yet, a battle between two of the NFL’s premiere defenses. Let’s just call this the game that Ray Lewis passes the “scariest dude at linebacker” trophy to Patrick Willis. I think it’s time. The funniest part about these two teams is that both are competing for the top two seeds in their conference. Ok, that’s not the funny part. The funny part is that a fan of either team turns ghostly white when you ask how they feel about Alex Smith or Joe Flacco in the 4th quarter of a playoff game. Anyway, next time someone points their finger at you and blabs about needing a stellar quarterback, just point to the 49ers and Ravens. Defenses still win football games. The 49ers should be thankful Jim Harbaugh passed up South Beach. The Ravens should be thankful most of us have forgotten about that hideous loss to the Jaguars. RAVENS If I were Charles Barkley; Ravens -3
Rest of Week 12 picks coming later… [UPDATE: So the holiday weekend got away from me. Here are my Week 12 Picks and nothing else.]
Early Games (1:00PM ET)
Texans at Jaguars
I can’t imagine Matt Leinart is any worse than Blaine Gabbert. TEXANS If I were Charles Barkley; Texans -4
Bills at Jets
No Fred Jackson. Ryan Fitzpatrick is lost. Amazingly, the winner here is alive and well in the AFC Playoff hunt. JETS If I were Charles Barkley; Jets -9
Browns at Bengals
Feels like a trap game for the Bengals after going toe-to-toe with the division’s best. Oh well. BENGALS If I were Charles Barkley; Browns +7.5
Vikings at Falcons
Adrian Peterson won’t play for Minnesota. Not that it matters. The Vikings have been a lost franchise since Favre’s interception in the NFC Championship game two years ago. FALCONS If I were Charles Barkley; Falcons -9.5
Cardinals at Rams
No one cares. Sorry. No one I know cares. RAMS If I were Charles Barkley; Rams -2.5
Panthers at Colts
The Colts best chance at winning this season. Cam Newton’s best chance of getting win number four despite Carolina’s awful defense. PANTHERS If I were Charles Barkley; Panthers -3.5
Buccaneers at Titans
Chris Johnson vs. Josh Freeman. The “most disappointing player of the year” bowl. The Bucs made their final stand last week and fell short. They’re done. TITANS If I were Charles Barkley; Titans -3
Game to Watch: Bills at Jets
Game on Call: Buccaneers at Titans
Afternoon Games (4:05PM ET)
Bears at Raiders
Jay Cutler’s injury was a huge loss to Chicago, but it’s not like the offense was carrying the team to begin with. I think the Bears will be fine. BEARS If I were Charles Barkley; Bears +3
Redskins at Seahawks
I think Mike Shanahan now knows his decision to yank Rex Grossman after one game was a mistake. Welcome to the party, Mike. Sorry you’re so late. SEAHAWKS If I were Charles Barkley; Seahawks -3
Broncos at Chargers
A loss finishes off Philip Rivers and the Chargers. San Diego could use some Tim Tebow magic right about now. CHARGERS If I were Charles Barkley; Chargers -5.5
Patriots at Eagles
Also desperate for a win, the Eagles trot out Vince “Jeff Garcia” Young for start number two. Tight ends give the Eagles fits. Facing two premiere tight ends with a banged up secondary is not ideal. I can’t see how the Patriots lose. EAGLES If I were Charles Barkley; Eagles +3.5
Game to Watch: Patriots at Eagles
Game on Call: Broncos at Chargers
Sunday Night (8:20PM ET)
Steelers at Chiefs
I’m beyond excited to see the Chiefs on national TV for the second consecutive week and the 3rd time this season. Thrilled. STEELERS If I were Charles Barkley; Steelers -10.5
Monday Night (8:30PM ET)
Giants at Saints
Big game in the NFC. Saints need to stay ahead of the Falcons. Giants need a win to keep pace with the Cowboys. Monday Night Football needs a close, competitive game for its ratings. SAINTS If I were Charles Barkley; Giants +7
*****
If I were Charles Barkley
Last Week: 5 – 8 – 1
Season: 77 – 76 – 7
I laughed at the first line.
Hy! Nice post.What a way to kick off Thanksgiving. Both teams have obvious faults on defense, and the Packers are easily the more efficient and consistent offensive club.
However, with Kevin Smith adding a new, punishing dimension to the Lions attack, they’ll finally have the balance they’ve been looking for all season.