Houston Texans’ Running back Arian Foster hurdles Dallas Cowboys’ defender Mike Jenkins. Reliant Stadium. Houston, Tx. Sept. 26 2010. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Happy Thanksgiving to all my favorite Gals and Pals. Today is a great one for football fans because we get Thanksgiving games!
Since the league began in 1920 there have been Thanksgiving games. Currently three NFL games are played- there are always games in Dallas and Detroit and an additional game with a rotating roster of opponents was added in 2006.
As if you needed another reason to love Thanksgiving!
The Thanksgiving football tradition started for the NFL as a promotion gimmick by the first owner of the Detroit Lions and the idea grew to include many teams during the 1920s and 1930s. When World War II broke out the NFL didn’t schedule any Thanksgiving games between 1941-1945. After the war was over the tradition was renewed with just the Green Bay Packers vs. the Lions until 1963.
The Dallas Cowboys joined the tradition in 1966 and since the Lions and Cowboys have been the traditional home teams for the Thanksgiving NFL games. It is also considered the official kick off of the red kettle campaign for the Salvation Army as it is featured during half time in Cowboys stadium.
In 2006 the NFL added a third game for Thanksgiving played at night and airing on the NFL network. This year the game will be played on NBC.
Now let’s looks at the three games.
Houston vs Detroit
Kickoff is at 12:30est on CBS
The Lions are in an eight Thanksgiving game losing streak. I have a feeling meeting up with the awesome Texans isn’t going to help the cause.
Looking at the numbers offensively the Lions look slightly better. Averaging 402 yards per game the Lions have almost 60 more yards passing per game than the Texans. This is largely due to WR Calvin Johnson who has over 1,000 yards this season.
But the running game which eats up time and makes defenses tired goes to the Texans. Arian Foster has had 249 carries and 962 yards and 10 touchdowns. Since he is averaging 96 yards per game I fully expect him to get to over 1,000 yards this season against the Lions.
Don’t expect the Lions to run the ball- which they barely do anyway- against a Texans D that only allows on average 86 rushing yards per game. Both teams are equally matched in the secondary so I expect the QBs to throw the ball- a lot. But the Texans have Foster and since the Lions allow 114 rushing yards per game I expect the Texans to put up some points.
Texans win this one.
Redskins vs Cowboys- RIVARLY ALERT
Kickoff is at 4:25pm on FOX
Talking about these two teams is painful because I’m an Eagles fan and well the Eagles are a hot mess.
But the NFL powers that be have decided to put the Redskins down in Dallas.
Offensively these two teams are polar opposites.
| Redskins | Cowboys | |
| Total Yards per Game | 380 | 367 |
| Passing Yards per Game | 215 | 284 |
| Rush Yards per Game | 165 | 83 |
| Points Per Game | 26 | 21 |
| Third Down Conversion % | 30 | 40 |
| Time of Possession | 1844 | 1926 |
The Redskins with the combination of RG3 and Alfred Morris have over 1,400 yards rushing between the two. The Cowboys have no running game and must rely on throwing the ball- a lot. Probably too much- but this could work to the Cowboys advantage this game because the Redskins average 289 yards of passing per game.
But the Cowboys average 107 rushing yards per game.
See what I mean about both teams really being equally matched?
Whichever squad capitalizes on its strengths- RGIII and Morris get into a good groove for running or Tony Romo and crew get the ball down field will determine the win.
And since I personally do not like either team I’m going to give the win to the home team- Cowboys by 3.
Patriots vs. Jets- RIVARLY GAME ALERT
Kickoff 8:20est on NBC
On paper this is an easy game to discuss. The Jets are terrible- terrible, terrible, terrible.
Since the Jets allow 142 rushing yards per game and the Patriots average 143 rushing yards per game Tom Brady and crew should have this game in the bag on the ground. When you add in the Patriots 289 passing yards compared to anemic Jets of less than 200 passing yards per game there really shouldn’t be a concern.
But why do I have a bad feeling about this?
Perhaps it is because Rob Gronkowski who has 748 yards this season is out with a broken forearm that he never should have gotten because there was no reason for him to be on the field for the 59th point. The Patriots were up 59 points against the Colts measly 24. No sense at all.
If the Patriots focus on the running game – especially Stevan Ridley who has 842 yards this season- and they will win the game.
Related articles
- Thanksgiving football schedule 2012: Texans get their own holiday spotlight (houston.sbnation.com)
- Football-predicting turkey picks Detroit over Houston (khou.com)
- The History Behind The Thanksgiving Day Game (slapioneer.wordpress.com)
The Sports Gal Pal 
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