Thanksgiving Football: Lions, Cowboys and Giants, Oh My!

Stop playing with your food. (Get it?)
Stop playing with your food, kid. (Get it?)

It’s as American as apple pie, voting for celebrity dancers and engaging in protracted overseas conflicts: watching football on Thanksgiving! As tradition dictates on every last Thursday in November, Americans could express their gratitude for family and friends, health and happiness,  but it’s much more fun to join the millions who will gather around the screen and watch the pigskin fly. The three contests tomorrow (not including that one between your uncles over who could eat the most turkey) could be as delicious as your mom’s stuffing or leave you with indigestion. Here’s the slate for 11 hours of NFL action (times are EST – sorry, West Coast folks):

Green Bay Packers (6-4) at Detroit Lions (2-8), 12:30 – FOX

Lions first-year QB Matthew Stafford is coming off a record performance, when he became the youngest player to throw five touchdown passes in a game while  setting the NFL rookie passing mark (422 yards) in a thrilling 38-37 victory over the Cleveland Browns. But after suffering a dislocated shoulder late in the game, he may be watching the game from the sideline. His absence, along with banged-up star WR Calvin Johnson (injured on the same play!), will leave the Lions toothless against the Packers, who have won two straight and shut out the Lions in their first match-up earlier this season. Look for another goose egg on Turkey Day.

Oakland Raiders (3-7) at Dallas Cowboys (7-3), 4:15  – CBS

Wait a moment – chew, swallow – before handing this game to the Cowboys. The NFC East leaders have only managed one touchdown apiece in their last two games, waiting until 2:41 to score against the Washington Redskins last week. And although the Raiders only have one road win, they are riding momentum fresh off an upset of the Cincinnati Bengals. The X factor will be the availability of ‘Boys QB Tony Romo, who is limited in practice with a bad back. If the secondary can shut down whoever’s throwing the ball, look for a resurgent Oakland offense to spring another shocker on the national stage.

New York Giants (6-4) at Denver Broncos (6-4), 8:20 – NFL Network

What’s better – pumpkin pie or pumpkin cheesecake? As you’re munching on dessert, a similarly difficult choice is the outcome of the primetime game between two teams struggling following hot starts. The Broncos won their first six but are mired in a four-game slump, while the Giants needed overtime to snap their own four-game slide last week following a 5-0 start. Both squads need a win in order to stay competitive in their divisions and make playoffs. The QB injury bug is having a Thanksgiving feast, as Denver QB Kyle Orton’s ankle kept him from starting last week, despite returning too late to win. With the start, look for the Broncos to carve up the Giants, who have surrendered 164 points in their last five games.

About Josh Mellits

Josh Mellits (COM '11) is a writer for the Quad.

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