I can sum up the madness that occurred on Thanksgiving with some of my favorite football rants of all time. Coach Herm Edwards can you tell me what the catalyst for Detroit winning three games in a row could be? Not only have they won three games in a row they slaughtered the Eagles in Detroit on Thanksgiving. Can you explain that from a coaching stand point Coach Edwards?
No matter how inexplicable it is that Detroit is winning, the next mind-boggling game was the Dallas game. For some reason the 3-7 Cowboys were favored over the 10-0 Panthers. No that’s not a typo, the experts in Vegas really did that. Quarterback Tony Romo came back and the Cowboys fans went ballistic proclaiming, “We are going to the playoffs”! But then Super Cam and company rolled into town. Coach Mora what do you think of the Cowboys playoffs hopes after the loss on Thanksgiving? Oh heck let’s make it a triple play do you think the Cowboys, Eagles, or Colts will make the playoffs?
So is that a no Coach Mora? That sounds like a no on the playoffs for the Cowboys, Eagles and Colts. Coach Green, I know the Bears used to be a sensitive subject for you, but what do you think of the Bears ruining Brett Favre’s jersey retirement ceremony?
I can see you’re still a little sensitive about the Bears. Hopefully, you at least appreciated seeing Bart Starr, Brett Favre, and Aaron Rodgers assembled in Lambeau Field to retire Favre’s jersey.
Whew, maybe we should just get to the rest of the games for week 12.
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Minnesota Vikings vs. Atlanta Falcons Even
Another game where Vegas can’t be bothered with determining a favorite, an underdog, or a spread, but considering Thanksgiving they thought it was good idea to favor the Cowboys over the Panthers maybe they shouldn’t be doing any spreads. The Vikings are coming off a loss and the Falcons have dropped three in a row. What started out as a promising season for the Falcons is quickly turning into a nightmare, the Falcons are 6-4. If they don’t win this game any dim playoff hopes they may have had are going to fly away. Mattie Ice is usually invincible at home, but the moon is still a tad bit full. Lets just say this is not the game to pick if you’re in a survivor pool. Pick: Falcons –Even
St. Louis Rams vs. Cincinnati Bengals -10.5
What in the world has happened to the Rams? They will be forced to start Nick Foles after QB Case Keenum suffered a concussion during last week’s game despite staying in the game. The Bengals now have dropped two in a row; however what I said last week still applies. If they want to be taken seriously they have to win when they are supposed to and right the ship immediately when things go astray. This should be the week the Bengals get back on track, but 10.5 points sounds like a little much. Somebody has to believe in the Bengals. I don’t think they can cover the -10.5, but maybe they’ll surprise me. Pick Bengals -10.5
New Orleans Saints vs. Houston Texans -3
The thought of this game makes my eyes glaze over. The Texans are still atop of the AFC South. The Saints are still having an identity crisis. Who knows what will happen. One thing for certain the memes from this game should be hilarious. Because I refuse to pick a .500 team as a playoff contender, Lets Geaux Saints. Pick Saints +3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Indianapolis Colts -2.5
The Colts season has been a disappointment to say the least. The team is still without quarterback Andrew Luck, but miraculously could still win their division. That’s the advantage of playing in the AFC South. The Bucs’ playoff hopes are pretty much gone, but they may have found their franchise quarterback Jameis Winston. The team is coming off a huge win against the Philadelphia Eagles, but they refuse to become “complacent” as defensive end Gerald McCoy called it. This one should be close, but the Colts will squeak by with a win. Pick Colts -2.5
San Diego Chargers vs. Jacksonville Jaguars -4.5
This is just sad. I can’t imagine anyone watching this game on purpose. I think Philip Rivers is throwing the ball to himself and playing defense, in between punt returns and kickoffs. It’s a one-man show in San Diego, and while that effort is commendable, football is a team sport. Pick Jaguars -4.5
Buffalo Bills vs. Kansas City Chiefs -7
The Bills are good for entertainment even if they aren’t good for entertaining football. They are coming off a brutal loss against the Patriots and could play deflated on a short week. The Chiefs are exactly what they have always been, a mediocre team. Someone has to win and with the Bills’ knack for racking up penalties, I imagine it will be the home team not the road warriors. Pick Chiefs -7
Miami Dolphins vs. New York Jets -4
One of the oldest rivalries sets up for a possible playoff spot. Neither of these teams are catching the Patriots and their undefeated record. However, they both have a spot at a Wild Card, but neither look ready for the playoffs. The Jets got off to a sizzling start, but have fizzled out losing two straight. The team will be without their best defensive player, cornerback Darrelle Revis. The Dolphins had a tough start to the season, firing their head coach, but have tried to make the best of things. Miami still has a lot of work to do so expect New York to keep hope alive a little longer. Pick Jets -4
Oakland Raiders vs. Tennessee Titans even
The second game this week where the experts in Vegas just could not be bothered. The Raiders are a lot better than their record indicates. The Titans, well they have a Heisman winner as the starting QB and they are playing at home. That should count for something right? You can flip a coin, but maybe you should take the Raiders. I know it’s crazy but they are better than the paper says Pick: Raiders – even
New York Giants vs. Washington Redskins+2.5
Eli is the only Manning in action this week. Washington is just; there are no words for what Washington is. Try as I might I can’t come up with a justifiable argument for picking Washington to win even though they are at home, but I promised a friend I would stop jinxing her G-Men by picking them to win games they should win easily. Go for it Washington. Pick Washington +2.5
Arizona Cardinals vs. San Francisco 49ers +11.5
The Cardinals win, but 11.5 points for grown men who play football for a living is a lot. Throw in the fact that this is a division rivalry game and all bets are off. Take the Cardinals for the win but the Niners to cover. Pick 49ers +11.5
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Seattle Seahawks -3.5
The Seahawks have not looked like the same team that went to the Super Bowl the past two seasons. However, they face a wounded Steelers team that needs to rely on Ben Roethlisberger’s arm. Big Ben has been hurt for most of the season, but was forced to come in during the team’s last game after Landry Jones was injured. The Steelers catch a break with Marshawn Lynch being out, but Seattle has to win this game if they want to return to the playoffs. Pick Seahawks -3.5
New England Patriots vs. Denver Broncos +2.5
Tom Brady and company ride into Mile High looking to extends their record to 11-0. I realize the Broncos beat the Bears in QB Brock Osweiller’s debut, but the Patriots are not the Bears. Brady and company have an appointment with destiny in February by the Bay. I don’t think Peyton Manning’s back up is going to derail them. Pick Patriots -2.5
Baltimore Ravens vs. Cleveland Browns -3
There should be a law against teams like the Ravens and Browns being on Monday Night Football. Not that we have much better to choose from this week but this one is beyond horrid. It seems like between Thursday night, Sunday night and Monday Night the Ravens are on in prime time every week. As far as the Browns go, well the Browns are shaping up to be exactly who we thought they’d be with Johnny Football at the helm. Manziel is benched because he told a little lie and now Josh McCown is in. The Ravens are a walking mash unit. Nothing good can come of this, but if you insist on watching Pick Browns -3
Enjoy the rest of Week 12. Cherish every moment because before you know it we’ll be back to a world without football. May the odds always be in your favor Gridiron friends!
