Fire from the Hip: Thoughts on Sports & Real Life

I could write some contrived article about the tradition of Thanksgiving football. But I am not feeling so nostalgic. We have three games on tomorrow, yeah that's right, three games. Now you are probably thinking, "No Nate, that can't be right, only Detroit and Dallas host games on Thanksgiving." Well, if you don't have a premium cable package, your Thanksgiving routine will not be altered. I am one of the fortunate, depending on how excited you get about the Broncos/Chiefs matchup, that will be able to view the aforementioned game, which will be aired on the NFL Network. The station will broadcast another seven games through the end of the season but some seventy million people will not see these contests because of stalled negotiations between the network and cable providers, most notably TimeWarner. The Browns rematch with the Steelers happens to be one of these contests, which is why this Thanksgiving, I am most thankful for my father's cable package.

Miami Dolphins at Detroit Lions - Dolphins

I normally try to pick the Lions on Thanksgiving when they are only slight underdogs. However, Detroit remains as unpredictable as ever. And maybe you recall that the Dolphins are my team of the second half. They made me look good again last week, squeaking out a victory against Minnesota. Despite a new franchise low of negative three yards rushing, Miami once again found a way to win with big plays on defense. I foresee Miami's front seven led by Jason Taylor, who is playing as well as Julius Peppers was earlier this season, stifling the Detroit offense and Joey Harrington, making enough plays in his return to Ford Field to secure another Miami win.

Tampa Bay Bucs at Dallas Cowboys - Cowboys

I am disgusted that I was so unsurprised by the Dallas victory last week over the Colts. I should have been bold enough to pick them. I went with safe picks in an attempt to get my record back over .500. Enough with excuses, Tony Romo has provided a spark to the entire Cowboy team. Now tied with the Giants for first in the NFC East at 6-4, the Cowboys seem poised to pass the slumping New York squad. Dallas is just starting to hit their stride and could really make some noise in a wide open NFC behind Chicago. Besides Chicago who is 9-1, the Cowboys, Giants, Seahawks, Saints, and Panthers all find themselves with the second best record in the conference at 6-4. Talk about mediocre. Right now, I think Dallas is in a great position to separate themselves out of that group.

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs - Chiefs

So was anybody else as shocked as I was that Denver blew a 17-point second half lead against the Chargers last Sunday night? Another thing, Jake Plummer looked completely inept during the second half. There was a three play sequence that bordered on horrific in terms of execution. But more pointedly, the play calling seemed conservative, perhaps a sign that Mike Shanahan has lost confidence in Jake the Snake. Against Oakland, Kansas City found a way to win late but the game hardly inspires me to heap superlatives on the Chiefs. Trent Green, in his first game back since Week 1, managed the game but will need to play much better this week. However, he is not the reason I am taking K.C., no, Larry Johnson is the reason for me. Denver's defense has shown itself susceptible in recent weeks to a balanced attack and Larry Johnson is a double threat who can take a screen pass to the house as easily as he can a run.