Some big games on tap as the top dogs in the NFC battle and the Manning brothers each face tests.
The Thanksgiving tripleheader had a bit of everything.
In the first game, Tom Brady shredded the Lions defence in the second half as the Patriots improved to 9-2.
In Dallas, the Cowboys almost pulled off an epic comeback over the Saints. However it was not to be as Saints cornerback Malcolm Jenkins stripped the ball from Roy Williams and then David Beuhler missed the potential game-tying, 59-yard field goal. Even with the loss, there's no question that the Cowboys compete a hell of a lot harder under Jason Garrett then they did for Wade Phillips.
Finally, Brad Smith and the Jets handed the Bengals their eighth straight loss. Smith ran for a 53-yard touchdown and then made every highlight reel in North America after his 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown. Smith lost his left shoe in the middle of his return and basically ran the last 40 yards with only one shoe.
Now the 9-2 Jets and the 9-2 Patriots will have a few extra days to prepare to face each other December 6 at Gillette Stadium in the showdown for the AFC East.
Time now to take a look at some of the other key games for Week 12:
The possible NFC playoffs preview game
Packers vs. Falcons
At 8-2, Matt Ryan and the Falcons went into Week 12 with the best record in the NFC. At 7-3, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers are one of five teams in the NFC breathing down Atlanta's neck. Not only are the Packers and the Falcons two of the best teams in the NFC, they also boast two of the league's best young quarterbacks. Speaking to Falcons GM Thomas Dimitroff recently, he said the first two things he did when he took over in Atlanta was to sign running back Michael Turner and then draft Matt Ryan. With 33 touchdowns in his 37 games as a Falcon, fantasy football players are in love with the hard-running Turner. More than just pure numbers, Ryan has really emerged as a true field general for the Falcons. Rodgers is quite simply one of the finest quarterbacks in the entire league. In his last two games, Rodgers has thrown seven touchdowns, zero interceptions and has a quarterback rating of 136.4. The Packers big advantage in this game is their defence. With Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson, the Packers have more impact play makers on defence. Green Bay will need a few big plays on defence, because the Falcons are undefeated at the Georgia Dome.
The battle of the dysfunctional family's game
Redskins vs. Vikings
Much has been written about the fact that the cold personality of Brad Childress played a role in his dismissal in Minnesota. Here is a bigger reason, Brett Favre has committed a whopping 22 turnovers through the first 10 games, 17 interceptions and five fumbles. While I applaud the decision to appoint the very-capable Leslie Frazier as the Vikings interim head coach, the only way things will change in Minnesota is if Favre stops turning the ball over. The Redskins have their own issues, mainly the tenuous relationship between Coach Mike Shanahan and his starting quarterback Donovan McNabb. The Redskins have a couple things working in their favour for this game. The Vikings are winless on the road this year and the Redskins defence has produced 21 takeaways.
The young guns vs. the old dogs game
Ravens vs. Buccaneers
The surprising Bucs are the youngest team in the NFL. With grizzled veterans like Ray Lewis, Ed Reed and Derrick Mason, the Ravens are much older. Bucs quarterback Josh Freeman is 22-years-old but he looks like he's about 14. Hell, the Bucs are so young that their head coach, Raheem Morris, is a year younger than Ray Lewis. Where the Bengals are viewed as a major disappointment in 2010, the Bucs are the surprise team of the year. In Baltimore, Joe Flacco is quietly putting together a solid season. The Ravens have three wins in their last four games. Over that time Flacco has thrown nine touchdowns and only has one interception. If there is one weak link on the Bucs it is their run defence. Because of that, look for John Harbaugh to feed the ball as much as possible to Ray Rice.
The Philip Rivers is hotter than Peyton Manning game
Colts vs. Chargers
Believe it: Philip Rivers is having an amazing year. Rivers is putting up such big numbers that he is on pace to break Dan Marino's single-season, passing-yardage record. Even better for Rivers is the fact that Vincent Jackson will finally return to the Chargers lineup Sunday. Manning is coming off another epic duel with Tom Brady. Even with all the injuries on the Colts offence, Manning almost pulled off an amazing comeback. Alas Manning's third interception of the game sealed the Colts fate. Whereas Rivers knows that Jackson will be in the line-up Sunday, Manning has no idea how many healthy bodies he will have to work with on any given week. All those injuries to key players on offence are really beginning to take their toll on Manning and the Colts. Defences from both teams better get their rest for this game. The Chargers have the No. 1 ranked passing attack in the NFL, the Colts are No. 2.
The what in the heck is wrong with Eli Manning game?
Giants vs. Jaguars
The Giants are in dire need of a mistake-free game from Eli Manning. Manning has thrown five interceptions during the Giants current two-game losing streak. Much like his older brother, little Eli is dealing with trying to lead an offence that is missing some key players due to injury. Giants coach Tom Coughlin said he's confident Eli can cut down on all the turnovers. "It can be done and really it's important that it gets done." The Jags have become the Rodney Dangerfield of the NFL in 2010. They get zero respect for the fact they are 6-4 and tied with the Colts for first place in the AFC South. While the team as a whole might not get a lot of respect, you can be sure everyone on the Giants defence respects Jags running back Maurice Jones-Drew. The biggest little man in the NFL, MoJo goes into the game with 878 yards rushing, 263 yards receiving and six touchdowns.
My Las Vegas Lock of the Week
The oddsmakers have pegged the Ravens as seven and a half point favourites to beat the Bucs. There's something about this Bucs team I like and because of that, I really like them to cover that spread.
