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NFL Picks & Pans: Thanksgiving Edition

Happy Thanksgiving everyone and enjoy these three Turkey Day NFL games as well as the rest of the week 12 schedule.

David Richard-US PRESSWIRE

Not only do we get to stuff our gullets with a Thanksgiving Day feast, we get three, say it, "three!" NFL games spread out all day long. Then we get the rest of the week 12 schedule on Sunday and Monday, including the Baltimore Ravens at the San Diego Chargers late Sunday afternoon.

After an excellent week 11 making picks (11-3), thanks to three OT games that I had the correct winners, let's lay out my picks & pans for this weekend's slate of games. Looking for Baltimore Ravens tickets this weekend, or any game, much less any team in the NFL?

Thanksgiving Day Football:

Texans over Lions: I just found out Detroit has lost eight straight Turkey Day games and today should make it nine, although as a Ravens fan, I'm rooting for multiple 'Matt Stafford-to-Megatron' completions. However, Houston is just so tough on both sides of the ball although last week's close one might show a chink in their armour.

Cowboys over Redskins: This should be an interesting one, as Dallas seems to be getting their collective act together and could be back in the playoff race in the NFC East, but Washington's RG3 can win a game all by himself and was lights-out last week.

Patriots over Jets: I also read that New England has averaged over 42 points a game in their last four. Averaged! Bad news for New York, although an upset would be fine with me and the rest of Ravens fans. Gronk or not, Tom Brady couldn't care less who is on the receiving end of his passes.

Sunday's Games:

Bears over Vikings: Chicago might be in a boatload of trouble if Jay Cutler doesn't come back soon, as Jason Campbell looked atrocious last week. Hopefully, the Bears defense can win this by handling the Minnesota offense "all day."

Bengals over Raiders: Oakland has given up close to 100 points over the past two weeks and going to Cincinnati is only going to add a lot more to that total. Bengals trying to rebound and catch the reeling Steelers. Will they?

Steelers over Browns: Wouldn't a Cleveland upset be great, Ravens (and Bengals and Browns) fans? Unfortunately, something tells me Charlie Batch will roll his wheelchair out onto the field and still find a way to win, most likely with a little help from the Browns players and horrible coaching staff.

Colts over Bills: Indianapolis got destroyed and Buffalo won last week, so obviously in the wacky world of the NFL things reverse themselves, right? The Colts are a much better team at home and the Bills are not that good on the road, so there!

Jaguars over Titans: Here you go, my "Upset Special Pick of the Week!" I was totally impressed with Chad Henne and think he could jump-start the Jacksonville offense to at least win a game or two the rst of the way and besides, Tennessee is just not that good of a team to be considered a legitimate road favorite.

Broncos over Chiefs: Speaking of a team that may not win another game this season, Kansas City is just looking god-awful and you have to feel for some of the best fans in all of football, but then again, with Peyton Manning looking like the superstar of his prime, Denver will be tough to beat the rest of the way including yes, even here in Baltimore.

Dolphins over Seahawks: This game also qualifies as an "Upset Special Pick," although I'm just not sold on Seattle on the road (1-3). Miami has lost three in a row but perhaps a ten-day rest and a home game will change their luck.

Buccaneers over Falcons: Another "Upset Special" as this might be the best game of the weekend. A huge NFC South battle between division-leading Atlanta and a Tampa Bay team on a roll with four straight wins. I like the home team in such a key game.

Cardinals over Rams: Do I really need to waste time typing words on this game, which will only interest those in each city, fantasy football players and gamblers? Arizona at home over St. Louis on the road. Zzzzz...

Saints over 49ers: According to the wagering site, this is also an "Upset Special Pick" as San Francisco is listed as a one-point favorite on the road and as good as Colin Kaepernick looked on MNF, he is now on the road and New Orleans is beginning to look like the playoff team of last year, with three wins in a row.

Packers over Giants (Sunday Night Football): Even though this is a home game for New York, the way they are playing (2 straight losses) and the opposite way Green Bay is playing (5 wins in a row), makes me think that Aaron Rodgers will outplay Eli Manning regardless of where they game is being held. Believe it or not, this constitutes an "Upset Special Pick" (Packers +3)!

Monday Night Football:

Eagles over Panthers: I was going to pick Carolina to win this game, but despite Philadelphia losing six games in a row, I just cannot bring myself to take a 2-8 team on the road on MNF in Philly, be it against Nick Foles or Michael Vick.

Last Week: 11-3

Season Record: 105-55-1