Dan Leach's 2015 NFL Locks: Thanksgiving Three Pack 'Gobble Gobble' Edition
By Dan Leach
@dtmleach
It's almost hard to believe we've steamrolled our way to Thanksgiving week of the NFL season. My NFL picks have been really heating up, helping you win your pick-em-pool, embarrass your friends, and just become a more whole football fan and human being. This is the special Thanksgiving edition where I'll take a look at three Thursday games and rate them on a sliding lock of the week 1-10 Bagels and Lock scale. And...away...we...go!
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers, Thursday 8:30 p.m. EST, TV: NBC (Packers -9)
Are the Packers really back on track? We will definitely find out against a Bears team that gave Windy City fans false hope over the past couple of weeks, until they were beaten by Denver and a first time starting QB at home in Brock Osweiler. The Pack are back home after their huge win on the road at Minny and this game could become comical early, as Green Bay will exert its dominance from start to finish.
7.1 on DTM Bagels and Lock of the Week Meter – Bears (+10)
Carolina Panthers at Dallas Cowboys, Thursday 4p.m. EST, TV: CBS (Panthers -1 )
The Boys got Romo back and it helped them in a big way as they flew by the Fins last Sunday. Now they get by far their biggest test of the year in front of a national TV audience against the undefeated Panthers. Dallas still has faint playoff hopes, but they know they are going to have to win this one at home to really set themselves up with a chance down the stretch. The problem is Cam Newton and the Panthers seem to just keep getting better and will show all of America that they might just be the best team in the entire NFL as they will send the Cowboys fans unhappy to their T-Day meal in a game that could get super ugly.
7.4 on DTM Bagels and Lock of the Week Meter – Panthers (-1)
Philadelphia Eagles at Detroit Lions, Thursday 12:30 p.m. EST, RADIO: 97.1 The Ticket, TV: FOX (Lions record on Thanksgiving 35-38-2)
Well here we go with Lions fans believing this team can make a run at an absolute miracle playoff berth. Now, while I see there being no way that can happen -- at least before they win 5 in a row -- they will win on T-Day for just the third time in their last 12 Thanksgiving Classic's cause the eagles are simply atrocious. Chip Kelly might not make it past this season and whether Sam Bradford, Mark Sanchize, or 1988 Randall Cunningham start for Philly , it is not going to go well.
The Lions O-Line has played night and day better the last couple of weeks and the D has shut down the Packers and Raiders in consecutive weeks and seems to be getting back towards a level of high confidence. Look for a nice day for the third week in a row by Stafford and for the Lions offense to bust open against a porous Eagles D sending the hometown fans home happy for the sweet meals with friends and family on one of the great days of the year.
LIONS 31 EAGLES 17
8 on DTM Bagels and Lock of the Week Meter – LIONS (PICK-EM)
ODDS TIDBIT
Latest Super Bowl 50 Odds — The New England Patriots still the favorite at 2.5-1. Arizona now the second favorite at 6-1, undefeated Carolina 7-1 , and the back on track Packers now the fourth favorite at 8-1. Lions after their second win in a row for the first time this season now at 600-1 up from 2000-1 before win over Packers. "So your saying there's a chance."
DTM'S 2015 Record ATS: 32-23
DTM'S 2014 Record ATS: 58-40-1
DTM's ATS Record in last 15 Super Bowls: 13-2
