Turkey Bowl ’08: A look at Thanksgiving Football

There’s not a better time for football than Thanksgiving. Undoubtedly, we will stuff our faces as we visit with our families, but without the ability to resume our post as captain of the armchair, Thanksgiving would lose a lot of its appeal.

This Thanksgiving appears that it will stack up with the best of them. There are tons of headlines taking the field that are sure to entertain. Let’s take a look at the match ups.

NFL

Tennessee (10-1) at Detroit (0-11) (12:30 p.m. ET) – It’s a good thing this one’s getting played early in the day. There’s no doubt that this one could get ugly early. The Lions got rid of one of their key playmakers in Roy Williams for draft picks, but its going to take a lot of luck in those next two drafts to bring this team back from the basement. It also doesn’t help that they have one the best teams in the league (if not the best) coming into their house on this day of thanks. To be completely honest, it wouldn’t be surprising if the Titans build a cushion and let their starters rest most of the second half. What also makes this game a bit lackluster is that a loss wouldn’t kill Tennessee, and a win will have no affect on Detroit’s season.

Seattle (2-9) at Dallas (7-4) (4:15 p.m. ET) – Everybody remembers Romo’s botched hold on a field goal attempt in the last match-up between these two teams back in 2007, but this is a different year, and these are different teams. The Seahawks have been suffering through an abysmal year after being plagued by injuries at most major positions, especially to their receiving core. America’s team is on a two game streak since Romo has been back from a finger injury and, if you ask T.O., the ‘Boys have finally unleashed him. With the addition of Roy Williams running routes opposite Owens, it would appear the Cowboys have too much firepower for Seattle to keep up with. The bottom line is that Dallas can’t afford to be upset at home if they want to have a shot at locking up a wild card spot in the NFC.

Arizona (7-4) at Philly (5-5-1) (8:15 p.m. ET) – Eagles fans have given Donovan McNabb the business since the team drafted him in back in ’99. It’s a daunting task to be a QB in Philly, so it’s definitely going to be interesting to see how McNabb bounces back this week as he returns to the starting lineup after being benched this past Sunday. The Cards come to town looking to seal their first division title since 1975. The Eagles number six ranked D is going to have to step up to stop what looks like it could be an MVP campaign for Kurt Warner.

NCAA

Texas A&M (4-7) at Texas (10-1) (7:00 p.m.) – Everyone might be tired of the words ‘style points’, but that’s exactly what the ‘Horns need to gain in this game if they want to keep their chance of a BCS championship game bid alive. This one should go in their favor as the Aggies bring in the Big 12’s worst rushing attack against the Big 12’s best rushing D. A&M also brings in some controversy at the quarterback position along with a young receiving core who are getting their first look at UT, in Austin no less. All this without mentioning that the guy under center in burnt orange is putting together a Heisman campaign, and the ‘Horns running backs are finally starting to develop. None of this may matter too much in the end. If OU gives OK State the Texas Tech treatment in Stillwater on Saturday, they shouldn’t have a problem overtaking Texas in the BCS, and then it’ll be up to the boys in the SEC to see whether we’ll see the Red River Rivalry again…in Miami.