Posted by Brandon

The unofficial start of the playoff race starts tomorrow, as the NFL enters Thanksgiving Week. Historically, the celebration to start this run is three crappy games that you can easily nap through after eating enough to make you feel like the food is resting halfway up your throat. This year? No so much.

The games are fantastic and we’ll all have to adjust accordingly. Yes, I’d love to take my typical post meal nap, but this year, the games are too good to sleep through.

With the NFL late season push, comes Jake and my battle for picking supremacy. With a close win a week ago, Jake now holds a 6-5 lead in weeks won, meaning that we look once again to be headed towards a late season show down.

Additionally, I need to feed my love for gambling while I still have the main course, football. Sure, I like betting on college basketball through the winter, but there is nothing like betting on NFL games. So, like I have done before, I will go through our picks and make a few that I like the most 55 Percenters.

Green Bay -6.5 over DETROIT

Jake - GB -6.5 / Brandon - Det +6.5

It hurts to picks against our undefeated Pack, but this game legitimately scares me. The crowd will be rocking, the Lions can actually score, and most importantly, this game means a ton more to them. I still think the Packers pull this out, but I think the value is with Detroit. I’ll actually throw two 55ers down here: the Lions and the over.

55 Percenters: Detroit +6.5 & Over 55.5

DALLAS -7 over Miami

Jake - Mia +7 / Brandon - Mia +7

This one looked like the Thanksgiving stinker, but both teams have gotten hot make this interesting. Jake and I both are hesitant with the ‘Boys, every time they pull you in, they remind you that the modern Cowboys are synonymous with failure. But, was that because of Wade “Marshmallow with a Headset” Phillips or is it the players? And, will Tony Sparano still insist on wearing his sunglasses indoors?

BALTIMORE -3 over San Francisco

Jake - SF +3 / Brandon - SF +3

As much as I like this as the Thanksgiving night game, I hate this line. I really have no grasp on what will happen. They may be 9-1, but with Alex Smith behind the wheel, I still feel like the Niners are a guy with a .2 BAC driving at 4 AM. I refuse to believe that they should actually worry me as a Packer fan.

On the other hand, the Ravens have already proven that they can’t be trusted. They win a big game and then lay an egg against the Seahawks. Joe Flacco tries to prove me wrong with a crunch time drive against the Steelers and then returns to skipping balls to the flat the next week. I’ll just take the points and move on.

ST LOUIS -3 over Arizona

Jake - StL -3 / Brandon - StL -3

And the punishment for three good Thanksgiving games begins with this turd on Sunday. Whatever.

NY JETS -9 over Buffalo

Jake - NYJ -9 / Brandon - NYJ -9

A real Thanksgiving recipe for you to make money. A line that seems artificially high because Buffalo has looked terrible, despite the Jets looking decidedly mediocre. Jake and I both laying those points for no specific reason. Buffalo losing Fred Jackson for the year, meaning that their own fans have now jumped ship. Bet Buffalo and bet them hard.

CINCINNATI -7 over Cleveland

Jake - Cin -7 / Brandon - Cin -7

I’m tempted to make this a 55 Percenter because the Browns are so terrible. But I’m slightly worried that the Bengals may lay an egg after losing back to back tough games to the Steelers and Ravens. I think they win and cover, but I’m not quite confident to put my money where my mouth is.

Houston -3 over JACKSONVILLE

Jake - Hou -3 / Brandon - Hou -3

Matt Leinart will make his debut as the Texans quarterback, but luckily for them, I don’t think he’ll need to do a whole lot in this one. The Texans will probably run the ball 40 times and work in some playaction to give Leinart a few easy throws. Or Gary Kubiak will let Leinart chuck it, ruin his confidence, and shoot down any remaining shot the Texans have at success without Schaub. I really want to make this a 55er…but I just don’t trust Gary Kubiak.

Carolina -3.5 over INDIANAPOLIS

Jake - Car -3.5 / Brandon - Ind +3.5

I continue to refuse to believe that Indy will go 0-16, but I fell for the “week everyone pick the winless team” two weeks ago against the Jags. Now this week, everybody is picking Carolina. I can see a couple of turnovers from Cam. I can see the Colts actually managing a few scores against the putrid Panther defense. This is it, I believe.

55 Percenter: Indy +3.5

TENNESSEE -3 over Tampa Bay

Jake - TB +3 / Brandon - TB +3

Two more teams who I don’t have a clue on. I feel like Tampa may be a little better than we think because they’ve had an insanely difficult schedule, but it’s also easy to see them taking a dive after give the Packers a nailbiter last week. The Titans are even worse. I think they are bad, and then they pull out a win right when I least expect it. This will probably be that week.

ATLANTA -9.5 over Minnesota

Jake - Atl -9.5 / Brandon - Atl -9.5

This Minnesota team is awful and they may be without their one offensive weapon, Adrian Peterson. Factor in that Matt Ryan, for all of his limits, doesn’t turn the ball over and it’s hard to see any way the Vikings keep this close.

55 Percenter: Atlanta -9.5

OAKLAND -4 over Chicago

Jake - Al -4 / Brandon - Chi +4

Jake and I disagree here, but really we don’t. When going over our picks on the phone tonight, Jake said, “I will guarantee this, Carson Palmer throws at least two interceptions.” Exactly. The Bears may be missing a quarterback, but they won’t need it here. Their defense and special teams will do enough to get them a win.

55 Percenter: Chicago +4

SEATTLE -3.5 over Washington

Jake - Sea -3.5 / Brandon - Wash +3.5

Let’s make sure we have this straight. I constantly talk about how much better Seattle is at home and Jake mocks me for it. They are mere three and a half point favorites over a crappy Washington team with Rex Grossman leading the way on the road. Yet when it comes time for the picks, Jake goes with the Seahawks and I take the Skins. It’s no wonder I’m behind this year.

New England -4.5 over PHILADELPHIA

Jake - Phi +4.5 / Brandon - NE -4.5

I can see Jake’s thought here, the Eagles season is still on the line and their defense has been playing better. But the thing is, with Brady and Belichick, I just don’t think it matters. I’ll lay the points.

55 Percenter: NE -4.5

SAN DIEGO -6 over Denver

Jake - Den +6 / Brandon - Den +6

WHAT IS GOING ON!?!? NORV TURNER, PHILIP RIVERS, AND THIS CHARGER TEAM ARE NOT GOOD! HOW ARE THEY LAYING ALMOST A TOUCHDOWN AGAINST ANYONE?!!?

Wait, why am I complaining? Free money on Thanksgiving weekend…what I’m truly thankful for.

55 Percenter: Denver +6

Pittsburgh -10.5 over KANSAS CITY

Jake - Pit -10.5 / Brandon - Pit -10.5

I saw Tyler Palko on Monday night. I’ve seen Kyle Orton this season. I don’t care who plays quarterback, the Steelers roll off of their bye week.

55 Percenter: Pittsburgh -10.5

NEW ORLEANS -7 over NY Giants

Jake - NO -7 / Brandon - NO -7

I’d love to make this a 55 Percenter. The Saints are phenomenal in the dome and I’ve been calling for the Giants collapse since the preseason. But this game is classic Giants. Right when everyone turns their back, they randomly stay in a game where they are big underdogs. I’m staying smarting and laying off here. Luckily, for my degenerate gambling sensibilities, I like the over so don’t have to watch a Monday night game without money on the line.

55 Percenter: Over 50.5

55 Percenters