By Danny Cox

Thanksgiving is upon us and that means a “turkey day” filled with NFL football action. The three games on Thursday feature some big-time playoff implications and some old rivalries being rekindled. It’s just quite the shame that the competitive nature may not be as high in these games as in recent years.

(Credit, Leon Halip/Getty Images)

Although, you never can really tell with the NFL this season.

Bye Weeks: All bye weeks are done

Thanksgiving Day: Houston Texans at Detroit Lions

The Texans are the clear favorite to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl this year, and actually could be the favorite as champion. They’ve been extremely consistent while Detroit has regressed to the mediocrity of the past.

Pick: Texans

Thanksgiving Day: Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys

The Cowboys really will need to have a spy watching at all times as they get their first look at RG3. Dallas’ defense is nothing to take lightly, but one wandering eye will allow for a long pass downfield or for RG3 to run right past them.

Pick: Cowboys

Thanksgiving Day: New England Patriots at New York Jets

Actual talent versus the most overrated team in the league according to the league itself. This one could be a laugher for Tom Brady and the Pats who will be looking to get home early for seconds.

Pick: Pats

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears

Last week’s loss to the 49ers was a sheer embarrassment, but everyone is allowed that one big mess-up right? Chicago will rebound this week, but they had better not take the Vikings likely or Adrian Peterson will run “all day.”

Pick: Bears

Oakland Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals

Nothing much to see here. Carry on.

Pick: Bengals

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

Pittsburgh is just hurting in so many ways and they’re stepping onto the field this week with Charlie Batch and Plaxico Burress. Not to say that those guys don’t have what it takes, but no one saw that coming at the beginning of the season. Still, they’re facing the Browns so it shouldn’t be a huge problem.

Pick: Steelers

Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts

Alright, so obviously Andrew Luck was not ready to run the Colts’ ship against the Patriots like Peyton Manning used to, but nobody’s perfect. He’s still looking at being “Rookie of the Year,” and should be able to pass all over the Bills.

Pick: Colts

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

Speaking of Peyton Manning…don’t expect this one to be close. Kansas City is just downright awful.

Pick: Broncos

Seattle Seahawks at Miami Dolphins

Miami has slowly faded as the season has gone on. Not only are they showing their true colors, but they’re actually getting worse. Russell Wilson is truly showing his poise and leadership, – even as a rookie – and he’s going to be around this league for a long time to come.

Pick: Seahawks

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

NFC South rivals collide as the Falcons hope to continue their almost unblemished streak through the season. TampaBay will truly be tested here as they attempt to show that their rebounding ways aren’t just a fluke. Almost losing to Carolina though, helps none.

Pick: Falcons

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars

Loser moves to Los Angeles!

Pick: Titans

Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers

You can say whatever you want about the Ravens dealing with injuries, they’re still better than the Chargers. San Diego has completely self-destructed and Norv Turner will likely be joining Andy Reid and Ron Rivera at the unemployment office in a few months.

Pick: Ravens

St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals

After the first few weeks of the season, this game was actually looking rather promising and seemed like it could mean something. My, how things change.

Pick: Rams

San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints

49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said he wanted to go with the quarterback that has the “hot hand” this week, and that appears to be Colin Kaepernick. The New Orleans Saints are quite possibly the hottest team in the NFL as they’ve won five of six to get right back into the playoff race. Kaepernick is about to be introduced to the Superdome.

Pick: Saints

Green Bay Packers at New York Giants

This is another game that seemed a lot more exciting just a couple weeks ago. None the less, seeing Aaron Rodgers and Eli Manning square off is always cause for three hours of enjoyable football. The Giants are the second New York team that is starting to collapse though.

Pick: Pack

Monday Night Football: Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles

Could we be looking at the least watched game of “Monday Night Football” in history? At least this will give some prospective head coaches a chance to see what their teams could look like next year.

Pick: Panthers

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Danny Cox knows a little something about the NFL, whether it means letting you know what penalty will come from the flag just thrown on the field or quickly spouting off who the Chicago Bears drafted in the first round of the 1987 draft (Jim Harbaugh). He plans on bringing you the best news, previews, recaps, and anything else that may come along with the exciting world of the National Football League. His work can be found on Examiner.com.