GAME OF THE WEEK – New England Patriots (9-2) at Green Bay Packers (8-3), GB by 3 – The Packers get the traditional 3 point spread for being the home team, but make no mistake, this is one that could really go either way. I’m seeing lots of people barely giving the Packers a chance, and while I’m going to pick the Patriots here, I think people are really underrating what this Packers team is capable of, especially when playing at home this year, where they have an average margin of victory of 27 points. UPSET! – Patriots 27, Packers 24
THANKSGIVING DAY – Chicago Bears (5-6) at Detroit Lions (7-4), DET by 7 – Much as I’d love to see the Bears pull off the upset, I’d love to see the Lions embarrass them on national TV even more. I think that’s exactly what’s going to happen. Lions 27, Bears 13
THANKSGIVING DAY – Philadelphia Eagles (8-3) at Dallas Cowboys (8-3), DAL by 3 – This is the best Thanksgiving matchup we’ve had in years. Sole possession of first place is on the line in the AFC East. Dallas has actually played better on the road than at home this season, oddly enough. But on a short week, I give the advantage to the team playing at home and the team that’s better to control the clock. That’s Dallas on both counts. Cowboys 24, Eagles 20
THANKSGIVING DAY – Seattle Seahawks (7-4) at San Francisco 49ers (7-4), SF by 1 – The 49ers have looked bad against bad teams, but they’re playing at home against the Seahawks, who haven’t looked great this year but have at least appeared to be better than the Niners. If this was in Seattle I’d predict a blowout, but I’m going to say the Niners pull it off at home. 49ers 20, Seahawks 17
Washington Redskins (3-8) at Indianapolis Colts (7-4), IND by 9.5 – Who would have thought in 2012 that RGIII and Andrew Luck’s first ever head to head meeting would look like this? RGIII is looking like a potential bust, and Luck is on his way to becoming one of the league’s top QBs. The Colts will roll. Colts 31, Redskins 10
Tennessee Titans (2-9) at Houston Texans (5-6), HOU by 6.5 – Ah yes, the time of year where we start getting to the games that don’t matter at all. Houston takes it. Texans 23, Titans 10
Cleveland Browns (7-4) at Buffalo Bills (6-5), BUF by 2.5 – The Bills showed some remarkable resilience in losing a home game yet spanking the Jets anyway in Detroit. Now they have to go back home on a short week to take on the tough Browns. This is going to be a really close game, but I think the Browns are going to surprise some people and manage to keep pace at least for another week. UPSET! – Browns 23, Bills 20
San Diego Chargers (7-4) at Baltimore Ravens (7-4), BAL by 5.5 – This is an absolutely huge matchup for playoff positioning. Gotta think that the loser is going to be on the outside looking in come January. The Ravens are simply playing better football than San Diego lately, and for that reason alone I’m taking them at home. Ravens 31, Chargers 20
New York Giants (3-8) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-10), NYG by 2.5 – Toilet bowl of the week right here. Giants 24, Jaguars 6
Cincinnati Bengals (7-3-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-9), CIN by 4 – The Bengals stay on top of the NFC North for yet another week, but I don’t see that lasting. Bengals 34, Bucs 13
Oakland Raiders (1-10) at St. Louis Rams (4-7), STL by 7 – The Rams have played some solid football lately, but my gut is telling me for some reason that the Raiders pick up a second win on the road this week. UPSET! – Raiders 20, Rams 19
New Orleans Saints (4-7) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-4), PIT by 3.5 – Unbelievable how far the Saints have fallen. They weren’t able to win any of three games at home, so there’s no reason for me to believe that they’re going to take down the Steelers in Pittsburgh. Steelers 34, Saints 17
Carolina Panthers (3-7-1) at Minnesota Vikings (4-7), MIN by 3 – The Vikings took it to Green Bay last week and damn near came away with a victory. They’re playing with a lot more heart than the Panthers are, which means I’m taking them this week. Vikings 27, Panthers 17
Arizona Cardinals (9-2) at Atlanta Falcons (4-7), ARZ by 2.5 – I’m done waiting for teams like the Falcons and Saints to turn it on at home. Right now there’s no reason for me to not pick Arizona in this game. Cardinals 20, Falcons 12
Denver Broncos (8-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (7-4), DEN by 1 –Denver’s going to be walking into a buzzsaw this week. Divisional road games are always tough, especially when they’re played in Arrowhead Stadium. I think Kansas City pulls off the upset and pulls even in the division. UPSET! – Chiefs 30, Broncos 27
[b]Miami Dolphins (6-5) at New York Jets (2-9), MIA by 5.5 – Dolphins desperately need this game to still have a chance at the playoffs. I think they get it, but the Jets will give them a good run for their money. Dolphins 24, Jets 20
