Thanksgiving Day NFL Schedule 2009

Just like turkey and cranberry sauce, the NFL has become part of Thanksgiving Day tradition. Here is a look at the games being played on Thanksgiving Day and who will earn a win.

Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions (12:30pm on Fox)

The last time these teams met during week 6 of the NFL season, the Packers dominated the Lions and coasted to a 26-0 victory. Is there any chance the Lions will put up a better fight at Ford field or will this be another Thanksgiving Day massacre?

The Lions Pro Bowl wide receiver, Calvin Johnson, who was sorely missed during the earlier meeting, should be back in the lineup on Thanksgiving Day. His absence contributed to the Packers defense not respecting the deep pass and placing eight men in the box.

In two games last year versus Green Bay, Johnson hauled in 15 receptions for 231 yards and 4 touchdowns. If Johnson is able to go, the Packers will need to place their top cover cornerback on him. This will open up the game for the team's second wide receiver, Bryant Johnson.

The key for the Packers defense on Thanksgiving Day will be to protect quarterback Aaron Rodgers. During the first meeting of the season between the Lions and Packers, Rodgers was sacked 5 times.

Despite the pressure, Rodgers was able to complete 29 of 37 passes for 358 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. Though he put up solid numbers, Rodgers will have a hard time throwing if he is lying on his back.

So far through 8 games, he has been sacked 31 times, which are only 3 off the pace from the 34 sacks he experienced during the entire 2008 season.

Look for the Lions to put up some points and put on a good show for the home crowd, even though they will come up short in the end.

Prediction - Green Bay 31 Detroit 21

Oakland Raiders vs. Dallas Cowboys (4:15pm on CBS)

When you are discussing the NFL teams with the most devoted fan bases, the Dallas Cowboys and Oakland Raiders are right neat the top. With this devotion comes a desire to win a Super Bowl championship, something these two teams have not done in some time.

If the Raiders are going to come away with a major win in front of a national audience, quarterback JaMarcus Russell will need to step up big time. Through eight games this season, Russell has completed 48% of his passes for 1,000 yards with a disappointing 2 touchdowns and 9 interceptions. If he is unable to push the ball downfield, it will be a long day for Raider nation.

The Dallas Cowboys have seemed to turn a corner this season and enter Week 9 of the NFL tied for first place in the NFC East division. The reason for their success has been the play of quarterback Tony Romo and a relatively unknown wide receiver, Miles Austin. Through the first half of the season, Austin has hauled in 26 receptions for 563 yards with 6 touchdowns.

In the end, the Dallas defense will have a lot to do with the Cowboys earning a victory in their new stadium. The Raiders offense will be shut down and the Cowboys will keep pace with the Eagles for the NFC East title.

Prediction - Dallas 27 Oakland 14

New York Giants at Denver Broncos (8:20pm on NFL Network)

The last NFL game of Thanksgiving Day is the best looking one of the bunch, at least on paper. Fans will get to see the New York Giants travel to the Mile High stadium and take on the surprising Denver Broncos.

The New York Giants need to get back to the basics of their success; running the ball and using a dominant defense to control the tempo of the game. In recent weeks, they have been trying to be something they are not, a passing team. The Giants will need to rely upon the bruising running back, Brandon Jacobs, along with Ahmad Bradshaw to hit the holes every time they touch the ball.

The Denver Broncos success in 2009 has been due n part to the on the field performance of their new leader, Kyle Orton. Through the first seven games of the season, Orton has completed 63.6% of his passes for 1,617 yards with 9 touchdowns and 1 interception. If the Broncos are going to be able to pull out a victory, Orton will need to manage the clock and keep the Giants back on their heals.

The winner of this game will be determined by which quarterback commits the fewest turnovers. Eli Manning's inexperience will still come into play but not enough as the Giants squeak out a narrow win over the Broncos on Thanksgiving Day.

Prediction - New York Giants 28 Denver 24

Resources

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