Thanksgiving Day has quite a nice set of matches and, better yet, they continue for most of the day.
However, if you’re a Ravens fan (or a Steelers fan, for that matter) then you’ll no doubt be watching for most of the day while not-so-secretly wishing the first two games would just hurry up and finish so the REAL fun can begin.
Honestly though, while the last result of the day is the only one that really matters to most of us, I do think it’s possible to have a bit of fun for the whole day. I know many of you have family commitments on Thanksgiving, but there’ll be those of us who can and will watch all three games.
For the sake of that group, here’s my attempt to get more from the day than about eight hours’ worth of anxiety (I’d prefer to think of that as a bonus while we wait):
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
The Lions are currently the kings of the NFC North at 6-5, and they want to stamp their authority on the division after losing to the now 3-8 Buccaneers.
At 5-5-1, the Packers are really not out of the race yet and have the chance to take control of the division again with a win. They’re so ravaged by injuries at this stage that they’re basically down to carrying out Hunger Games-style lotteries with Wisconsin residents to see who makes the roster, but we know Matt Flynn can beat the Lions.
Thanksgiving was pretty heated two years back with Ndamokung Suh cementing his reputation as the NFL’s dirtiest player, and a return to the scene could always make for some entertaining TV.
Then, of course, there’s the fact that we can just sit back and watch Calvin Johnson be Calvin Johnson. I don’t get to see him play a lot because I’d rather watch the Ravens play every week, and if you’re the same then this is a rare chance to enjoy his play. Better yet, he’s playing Green Bay’s terribad secondary.
Oakland Raiders at Dallas Cowboys
For some reason, I really like watching the Cowboys and they’re often my pick of the teams to watch when the Ravens aren’t on. I love how talented their roster is on both sides of the ball, and the Romo chokes on crucial drives are kinda funny too.
But aside from the Cowboys being kinda cool to watch, this match has a direct impact on the second AFC Wild Card spot. If the Raiders lose, they fall to 4-8 and effectively out of contention.
I don’t think the Raiders were ever really front-runners, but the Cowboys could still do us a big favour and ice a playoff contender.
Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
If you need me to tell you what to love about this one, then congratulations. You either have no soul or you’re not a Ravens fan. This one is the main course of the day.
If the Ravens lose, they won’t be out of playoff contention by any stretch, but their chances will have taken such a big hit that curling up into a ball and crying for a week and a half is a legitimate response.
The extra time between this and the Minnesota Petersons arriving in town means the wait will be a killer. So let’s enjoy Ravens football while we can.
