The Brooklyn Trolley Blogger: PIGSKIN 2020: Thanksgiving Day

Tradition says never bet against the Lions at home on Thanksgiving. Well, tell that to an unforgiving 2020. Last week the Texans defeated the Patriots, and the Panthers whitewashed the Lions. I got both games wrong. Otherwise, these teams are mirror images of themselves. They've scored exactly the same amount of points and have yielded very near the same number as well. You might say the Texans play in a tougher division, barely. Houston's pass game was already a tad more effective than Detroit's. Now consider Stafford is playing with strained ligaments in his (throwing hand) thumb. Both represent two of the worst running games in football. Meanwhile, neither team can stop the run. The Texans are high off last week's win, while the Lions are licking their wounds after getting shut out. Matt Patricia is on the hot seat, whereas Romeo Crenel coaches the post-implosion Texans with no such pressure being placed upon him. Although, he may be coaching for a continuance. Matt Patricia's time is running short. DeShawn Watson holds a minor advantage over Matt Stafford.

WIN 41-25 Texans

Washington +3 COWBOYS

The NFC Least is fit to be tied ... oh, wait. A big division clash between two losers! Philly is in first with a 3-6-1 record. The Giants, No Names, and Cowboys are all tied for second with a 3-7 record. The more Alex Smith gets comfortable back on the field and taking hits, the more Washington and their defense become a viable consideration to pull away from the pack. But the Cowboys will have something to say. They still have some playmakers at their disposal that can sway a game. I suspect Washington will devise an effective plan to thwart Andy Dalton. The question is, can Alex Smith befuddle an already suspect Cowboys defense. I say he can ... take the points.

WIN 41-16 No Names

STEELERS -4.5 Ravens