NFL Week 12 Thanksgiving Day Matchups

New England at Detroit 12:30 PM Ford Field

The Lions welcome the Patriots to Ford Field in their annual Thanksgiving Holiday Game this year.  The hosts look to be overmatched by the Patriots, who are 8-2 and just came of beating the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.  The Lions have played much better this year than their 2-8 record shows, however spending many years in the NFL’s cellar, they have not learned how to close out games and secure the victory.  Of their 8 losses, five of them have been by fewer than five points.  History is not on the Lions side though, the Patriots rarely suffer letdowns after big wins, and the Lions haven’t won a Thanksgiving day game in the last six years.  The game can be seen on CBS

New Orleans at Dallas 4:15 PM Cowboys Stadium

Last season the Cowboys travelled to New Orleans and handed the Saints their first loss of the season.  This year the Saints look to go to Dallas and ruin interim coach Jason Garrett’s hot start as ex-coach Wade Phillip’s replacement.  Dallas had been a preseason favorite to return to the playoffs, but started the season a dismal 1-6.  Under Garrett, they seem to have found a pulse and have revitalized the team.  The Saints are also progressing as weeks pass.  Reggie bush is likely to return to the lineup after breaking a bone in his leg early in the year.  The Saints may also get two injured safeties, Malcolm Jenkins and Darren Sharper, back for the game along with tight end Jeremy Shockey.  The game can be seen on Fox

Cincinnati at NY Jets 8:20 PM New Meadowlands Stadium

The Jets and Bengals have been penciled in as the third Thanksgiving day game to be aired on the NFL network.  The Jets, who have strung together several down-to-the-wire victories in the past few weeks, play host to the struggling Bengals, losers of seven in a row.  The Bengals are going to have to come out and play inspired to have a chance at a victory.  Sunday they allowed a halftime lead to vanish as the Bills came to Cincinnati and beat them 49-31.  The Jets on the other hand have found ways to win games late, and for their efforts are tied for the league’s best record.  The matchup looks to be cold and rainy in East Rutherford, NJ.  The game can be seen on the NFL Network