Happy Thanksgiving! NFL Picks and More

Houston Texans vs. Detroit Lions

The Lions have lost their last eight Thanksgiving games. Well, it's about to be nine. It's not going to be the blowout everyone is projecting though. Sure, the Texans are 9-1, but they just escaped the pitiful Jaguars by a six point margin. The Lions, though vastly underachieving expectations thus far, are eons better than the Jags. And they're fighting for their playoff hopes, something the Texans have essentially locked up already. This game is going to be a barn burner, and the only way the Lions come out victorious is if Matt Stafford protects the football and connects with Megatron multiple times. Prediction: Texans 27, Lions 24


Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys

At just 5-5, the Cowboys sit just one game behind the Giants in the disappointing NFC East. They've beaten all the teams they should have (Tampa Bay, Carolina, Philly, Cleveland) and lost to the NFL's more impressive teams (Seattle, Chicago, Baltimore, Atlanta). The Redskins fall into the first category. On Washington's side, Robert Griffin III is coming off a game in which he posted a perfect 158.3 QB rating, albeit against an Eagles D in shambles. Neither of these two teams have been impressive, but someone has to win. I'll go out on a limb and predict Washington on a game winning drive. Tony Romo will do his team in with one too many turnovers, nothing new. Prediction: Redskins 24, Cowboys 20

New England Patriots vs. New York Jets

I'm going to be watching A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving during this game. The Jets aren't even worth writing about. They're the only team you're going to hear about in all three games' pregame shows. And the Patriots are going to trash them. Prediction: Patriots 34, Jets 13

And in other NFL news: All this San Francisco QB controversy business may be true, but I'm of the opinion Jim Harbaugh is just claiming he's unsure of his starter so the Saints spend half of their walkthroughs preparing for Colin Kaepernick, when Alex Smith is going to be the one playing.

Changing gears to college basketball, here is the box score of the game in which Division III Grinnell College's Jack Taylor scored 138 points. Look up Grinnell's offensive philosophy if you want to know how this was possible. Basically, coach David Arseneault runs a system in which he expects his team to pop fifty threes a game, and he recruits almost entirely sharpshooting guards. But still, 138 points is 138 points.

For your enjoyment, if you haven't watched the entire version yet and have only seen the TV version, here is the full Uncle Drew Pepsi MAX commercial. There's a part two that features Kevin Love.

Have a happy Thanksgiving. Here's a suggestion: put chocolate chips in the pumpkin bread. Trust me.

2012 NFL Player Rankings - Wide Receivers

Being a prima donna might get a few guys demoted a little. But not too much.

Here's the list:

1) Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
2) Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals
3) Andre Johnson, Houston Texans
4) A.J. Green, Cincinnati Bengals
5) Victor Cruz, New York Giants
6) Greg Jennings, Green Bay Packers
7) Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons
8) Steve Smith, Carolina Panthers
9) Wes Welker, New England Patriots
10) Mike Wallace, Pittsburgh Steelers
11) Julio Jones, Atlanta Falcons
12) Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants
13) Brandon Marshall, Chicago Bears
14) Jordy Nelson, Green Bay Packers
15) Percy Harvin, Minnesota Vikings
16) Dwyane Bowe, Kansas City Chiefs
17) Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys
18) Antonio Brown, Pittsburgh Steelers
19) DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles
20) Dez Bryant, Dallas Cowboys
21) Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints
22) Jeremy Maclin, Philadelphia Eagles
23) Pierre Garcon, Washington Redskins
24) Demaryius Thomas, Denver Broncos
25) Vincent Jackson, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
26) Torrey Smith, Baltimore Ravens
27) Eric Decker, Denver Broncos
28) Stevie Johnson, Buffalo Bills
29) Nate Washington, Tennessee Titans
30) Michael Crabtree, San Francisco 49ers
31) Darrius Heyward-Bey, Oakland Raiders
32) Danny Amendola, St. Louis Rams

The Madden Curse: Fake or Legit?

I'm not the superstitious type. The side of the couch I am sitting on does not effect my team's chance of winning the game in my mind.

Dallas Mavs guard Jason Terry wears the next day's opponent's team shorts to bed every night, and he is coming off an NBA championship ring. So maybe these superstitious folks are onto something.

After all, the Curse of the Billy Goat is still going strong, isn't it?

But still, these two are just by chance, right? Probably. Here's another one that really grabs some attention: the Madden Curse. Not only do some of the players have a career-worst season while gracing the cover, but some seem to have their careers entirely derailed after appearing. It simply seems like too much to be a coincidence.

The fan vote for this year's game is down to Cam Newton and Calvin Johnson. Will the winner succumb to the curse? Let's take a look at previous cover boys to see their chances.

2012: Peyton Hillis, Cleveland Browns RB

To earn his place on the cover, Hillis came out of nowhere to rush for over 1,100 yards. Many claimed he would be a one-year wonder, and after his cover appearance, those people seem to be right. Last year he complained about a contract, had phony injuries and only rushed for 587 yards with just 3.6 yards per carry. Cleveland let him walk and he's now behind one of the most versatile backs in the league, Jamaal Charles, in Kansas City.

Curse: 1 Success: 0

2011: Drew Brees, New Orleans Saints QB

Brees played well individually, and even though the Saints got upset by Seattle in the first round after winning the Super Bowl, his stellar season warrants a pass.

Curse: 1 Success: 1

2010: Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh Steelers S, and Larry Fitzgerald, Arizona Cardinals WR

Before the fan vote idea (how Hillis won), the Madden franchise considered putting on a player from each Super Bowl team. How did the two fare? Fitzgerald had his typical productive season, but Polamalu wasn't so lucky. He played just five games due to lingering knee problems, and the Steelers missed the playoffs a year after winning the Super Bowl.

Curse: 2 Success: 2

2009: Brett Favre, Packers/Jets QB

I won't get into this.

Curse: 3 Success: 2

2008: Vince Young, Tennessee Titans QB

He led the Titans to a playoff berth, but had a fallout with the fans shortly after. His career has been a mess since. He's now also hated in Philly for the "Dream Team" remark.

Curse: 4 Success: 2

2007: Shaun Alexander, Seattle Seahawks RB

Alexander was the reigning MVP and a downright beast the year before the cover, rushing for 1,880 yards and 27 TDs. But then he fractured his foot, missed six games the cover season, and was never the same. He retired two years later.

Curse: 5 Success: 2

2006: Donovan McNabb, Philadelphia Eagles QB

He missed seven games due to a sports hernia, had the infamous clash with T.O., and missed the Pro Bowl for the first time in five seasons. And never went back.

Curse: 6 Success: 2

2005: Ray Lewis, Baltimore Ravens LB

Lewis broke his wrist his cover year, but only missed one game. It marked his first year without an interception, but he still had 146 tackles and a solid year overall.

Curse: 6 Success: 3

2004: Michael Vick, Atlanta Falcons QB

The day after the game was released, Vick broke his leg in the preseason and had to miss eleven games that season. We all know what happened after that.

Curse: 7 Success: 3

2003: Marshall Faulk, St. Louis Rams RB

Faulk was hampered by an ankle injury all season, but still rushed for 953 yards. The cover did mark the start of his decline though, as he never did rush for 1,000 yards again after accomplishing the feat seven out of the eight years prior. He rushed for 10 TDs the next season, however, and age was becoming a factor, so a generous no decision here.

Curse: 7 Success: 3

2002: Daunte Culpepper, Minnesota Vikings QB

He had a poor season, and had it cut short after eleven games, needing knee surgery. His Vikings were sitting at 4-7 when he left.

Curse: 8 Success: 3

2001: Eddie George, Tennessee Titans RB

He had a tremendous season, but did fumble the ball crucially in the playoffs, leading to his top-seeded Titans being upset in the first round. That being said, his numbers overall warrant a pass.

Curse: 8 Success: 4

2000: Barry Sanders

Retired, by fax, a week before training camp. John Madden appeared on the cover instead. Eddie George would be the first player to appear on the cover of the video game.

So there you have it. If you are a fan of Newton or Johnson, you might want to consider voting against them in the cover vote. History has spoken.

Week 6 NFL Projections

Last week: 10-3
Season: 46-15

Detroit Lions 27, San Francisco 49ers 24

The 49ers may have surprised some people more than the Lions have to start this season. Everyone was aware of the talent Matthew Stafford possessed, but Alex Smith? He's looked like a legitimate NFL quarterback so far, albeit a very reliable one. He's only thrown one pick in his team's first five games. Nonetheless, the Lions are playing with a purpose right now; their entire team is on a roll. Look for them to stay undefeated, and Stafford to connect with Megatron for the receiver to reach double-digits in touchdowns this early in the season.

Buffalo Bills 30, New York Giants 27

This is a very good week to pick against the Bills. They haven't been able to cover teams' number three receiver at all this season, as demonstrated by Jason Avant's 160 yards last week. And the Giants have one looking to continue a breakout season in Victor Cruz, who is primed to have a huge day. However, the Giants defense wasn't what it once was, and should be susceptible to the Bills high-powered attack. The Bills have had success both running the ball with Fred Jackson and through the air, and the Giants D is barely average against both this year. Look for the surprise Bills to get to 5-1 after this high scoring affair.

Baltimore Ravens 24, Houston Texans 17

The Ravens had a bye last weekend, a huge advantage for their aging defense. And while Arian Foster is healthy, they are without another offensive cornerstone in Andre Johnson, obviously Matt Schaub's favorite target. The Texans brought in Derrick Mason for a little bit of help, but he and Schaub won't have any chemistry so soon. Behind Johnson, Houston doesn't have anyone worthy of filling in as a number one. This could keep them from a win, no matter how much they have cleaned up their defense.

New Orleans Saints 34, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 20

The Bucs got smacked around last week against San Francisco, and it certainly doesn't look any better for them facing the high-powered Saints. Certainly they will put up more than the field goal they managed last weekend, but the way their offense has played lately they don't have a shot at putting up points to stay even with the Saints. Josh Freeman hasn't played like the guy he was last year, and if he wants a win today at home he'll need a career game.

Atlanta Falcons 23, Carolina Panthers 20
Washington Redskins 31, Philadelphia Eagles 28
Cincinnati Bengals 26, Indianapolis Colts 20
Green Bay Packers 41, St. Louis Rams 13
Pittsburgh Steelers 27, Jacksonville Jaguars 19
Oakland Raiders 26, Cleveland Browns 13
New England Patriots 27, Dallas Cowboys 20
Chicago Bears 20, Minnesota Vikings 14
New York Jets 26, Miami Dolphins 6