tonytalkssports My Take on Sports, particularly the Yankees, Maple Leafs and Browns

Happy Thanksgiving: A Week 12 NFL Pick

Happy Thanksgiving!!! Along with turkey, stuffing and pumpkin pie, football is a Thanksgiving tradition. The traditional Thanksgiving game in Detroit has been a yawn since Barry Sanders retired but this year will be different as the 10-0 Green Bay Packers take on the 7-3 Detroit Lions. Of the three games today this is the one I am making a selection on and here we go:

* Detroit (+6) over Green Bay: This is a big game for the Lions as they are tied with Chicago at 7-3 and have Atlanta, the Giants and Dallas breathing down their necks at 6-4. It's a given that unless there is a monumental collapse, the Packers are going to win the NFC North so in order for the Lions to make the playoffs they will need to go as a wild card and that's why this game is big for them. While Green Bay's offense has been lighting it up (3rd best in the NFC), their defense is second to last in the NFC. Moreover, their pass defense is the worst in the NFC and the only pass defense worse than theirs in the whole league is New England's.

The Lions meanwhile have the second best defense in the NFC and their pass defense is ranked 1st in the conference. Offensively, the Lions are ranked 6th in the NFC and their passing attack is 5th in the conference. This is going to be a great test for both teams as the Packers have been relying on their offense to win games and this will be the best defense they have faced this year. On the flip side, Matthew Stafford should be able to exploit the vulnerable Packer pass defense. In what should be a high scoring affair: Green Bay 38 Detroit 35.

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The other Thanksgiving games should be good ones particularly the night game between San Francisco and Baltimore. We should learn a lot about the 49ers after that game. I will have the rest of my Week 12 Picks Saturday morning. I'm 17-6 over the last seven weeks and 21-14 overall.

Have a very Happy Thanksgiving!!!!!!