With three games already out of the way on Thanksgiving, we have an abbreviated schedule of NFL action. With thursday's awful outcomes, let's hope this weekend's key match-ups offer more excitement. This is the opening drive (sort of) of week thirteen in the NFL!
Carolina Panthers (8-3) at Green Bay Packers (5-6)
The Panthers are in a tight race in the NFC South, tied with Tampa and barely ahead of Atlanta. With tough match-ups for all three teams, winning could propel one of them towards the South title. Carolina was assaulted by the Falcons last weekend, and need to rebound against a struggling Packers team. Green Bay was blown out on Monday night by the Saints, giving up 51 points and failing to defend against the big play. Losing to Carolina would severely cripple their chances of winning the mediocre NFC North at 5-7. Aaron Rodgers has played fairly well, but the Packer defense hasn’t backed him up.
New Orleans Saints (6-5) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-3)
Losing to a division opponent this weekend would almost certainly eliminate New Orleans from playoff contention. The NFC South is a much-improved landscape, and the Saints have suffered too many injuries to keep pace. Reggie Bush is listed as questionable, but has declared his intention to be on the field. Tampa Bay has fought off the returning Panthers and the rising Falcons to hold a share of the South lead after twelve weeks. Jon Gruden has done a solid coaching job, but keeping Jeff Garcia out of the starting line-up for so long may have cost his team a win. Even if the Bucs can’t hold onto the division, they should be in a prime spot to take a wildcard slot. Expect to see them come January.
New York Giants (10-1) at Washington Redskins (7-4)
The Giants are without question the best team in the NFL. They’re on a six-game win streak coming into this weekend’s NFC East divisional match-up. Brandon Jacobs is listed as questionable and embattled receiver Plaxico Burress accidentally shot himself in the leg on Friday, putting himself out of action for at least two weeks. Still, they have a great opportunity to close the door on the NFC East with a win. At 7-4, Jim Zorn’s Redskins are a pleasant surprise, as is Zorn’s rapid success as a head coach. Clinton Portis’s status is up in the air for a second straight week, and if he can’t make a go of it the Redskins will be beaten before the game even starts.
Atlanta Falcons (7-4) at San Diego Chargers (4-7)
Among a glut of improved teams in the NFC, the Falcons are without a doubt the biggest surprise. Being a surprise doesn’t have to be the whole story in 2008 though, as Atlanta still has a chance at the division as well as a possible wildcard spot. Matt Ryan will get strong consideration for Rookie of the Year, and Michael Turner may have been the best free agent signing of the off-season. Turner departed the Chargers, who are fighting for their lives in a less-than-stellar AFC West. A loss would ensure San Diego goes no better than .500, but with a strong possibility to end up with a losing record. That won’t be enough for a team with all this supposed “talent.”
Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3) at New England Patriots (7-4)
In one of the best games on tap this weekend, the physical Steelers will try to flex their muscle against the finesse Patriots. Running back Willie Parker is listed as questionable, but fully practiced on Thursday and Friday, setting up his much-anticipated return to a sloughing Pittsburgh ground game. He’ll be called on to pound an aging Patriot front seven. New England has stayed in the playoff and division hunt without Tom Brady thanks to Matt Cassel’s shockingly solid play at quarterback. A win over the Steelers would return them to the best of the AFC and give more questions as to resigning Cassel, especially if Brady isn’t ready to start next year.
Denver Broncos (6-5) at New York Jets (8-3)
As the best of the west, the Broncos barely need to stay above sea level to make a postseason trip. Finishing 9-7 won’t leave any room for the Chargers. Jay Cutler has tapered off after a fast start, but he still makes enough of the big throws needed to win. He’ll be tested against a team that is now considered the best in the AFC. After thrashing the then-undefeated Titans last week, Brett Favre and the Jets have a legitimate shot to finish 13-3, with three of their next four opponents holding losing records. It might not get them the top seed in the conference, but a first-round bye for the Jets would be a welcome Christmas present.
