MIKE KAYE

Season: 99-54 (65%) /  Last Week: 9-4 (69%) /  Scott Pick: 3-7 (0-1)

Welcome to a Thanksgiving edition of Take it to the Bank. I hope you enjoy the holiday, because I will be working Thursday (an unfortunate side of working in the media). The meat and potatoes of the season starts right now and three Thursday games means six teams are playing on four days rest, which makes these games a tad bit harder to call. After a decent week of picks, I hope to keep the pick train rolling. Let’s Take it to the Bank.

Packers @ Lions

Pick: Packers. The Lions have gone from scary to okay in the span of a month, so I really have no idea what they are capable of. With that said though, I do know what to expect from Green Bay. You bet on the horse you know and Aaron Rodgers is a stallion on the field. I am just trying to wrap my mind around their offensive weapons and how the Lions can cover each of them. This should be a shoot out and I love what I saw from Kevin Smith against Carolina after no one wanted him (literally my third favorite story of the year) but I do have my questions about the rest of the Detroit running game.

Dolphins @ Cowboys

Pick: Cowboys. As much as I see this as a trap game and as much as the Cowboys got way too lucky last week, I have to take them here. Matt Moore is playing out of his mind and Mike Nolan has the Fins’ defense playing great ball, but the talent of Dallas on Thanksgiving afternoon will prevail. The Fins only have a few wins but they can play spoiler the rest of the season, and it is scary to play teams that have nothing to lose (but games of course).

49ers @ Ravens

Pick: Ravens. The Harbaugh sibling rivalry takes center stage in what will be NFL Networks’ best game ever. I love both of these defenses and their coaches but all in all I prefer the Ravens offense over San Fran’s. Look for a 17-13 game with Alex Smith finally showing some weakness and throwing a game-losing pick. The Niners are the second best in the NFC but the Ravens at home could prove to be a tough task for the West Coasters.

Bills @ Jets

Pick: Jets. Boy, it was not more than a month ago the Bills were the darling of the league, now they are just another team with an overpaid quarterback. The Jets are almost as awful at 5-5; they just seem to have no hold on their chemistry. With that said, the Jets weapons on both offense and defense are significantly more talented than Buffalo’s. Expect a close contest going into half but the Jets will find a way to pull away with a large-margin victory that they desperately need.

Browns @ Bengals

Pick: Bengals. The Browns were impressive last week and currently are the top pass defending team in the league. That stat could mean trouble to rookie hotshots, Andy Dalton and A.J. Green. I am a fan of strong secondary against strong pass attack match-ups because they allow the run game, both offensively and defensively, to play major factors. Take Cedric Benson over a Peyton Hillis-less backfield any day.

Texans @ Jaguars

Pick: Texans. The Texans seems to be cursed. Every year, they burst on the scene, guns blazing but find a way to slump off the end of the season. With Matt Schaub out for likely the rest of the season, perennial disappointment Matt Leinart takes the role of QB. The Texans still have enough talent to win the division and Sunday will be a great test against the Jags. Losing Clint Sessions was a big loss for Jacksonville, especially with Houston’s running game.

Vikings @ Falcons

Pick: Falcons. These two are going in opposite directions. The Falcons are on the way up and the Vikings will likely have a top three pick in the draft. This is a game Christian Ponder could make a statement, but like I said last week, the Falcons are very tough to beat at home. The Dirty Birds will fuel their playoff hopes with a nice victory over the Vikes.

Cardinals @ Rams

Pick: Rams. I am sorry but much like any sappy male lead in a chick flick, do not quit on the Rams. Say what you want about their level of play, but they definitely have the talent to beat a team like the Cardinals (don’t tell that to the Eagles though). Sam Bradford has to reestablish himself before seasons end or he may face some Matt Leinart-like questions come this offseason. I am not sure if Kevin Kolb will play, but he is struggling because of the scheme he is in. If John Skelton gets the nod, look for a ton of turnovers. This division game will be close, but I see St. Louis victorious at home.

Panthers @ Colts

Pick: Panthers. Killer Cam finally gets another win. I just think the Panthers are too talented to lose to the putrid Colts. Venture to say this is definitely a Take it to the Bank.

Buccaneers @ Titans

Pick: Titans. The Bucs need to win this game if they want to make the playoffs. That said, they seem to just be beating themselves this year and that will not stop this Sunday. It really is disappointing, but Josh Freeman has regressed significantly in 2011.

Redskins @ Seahawks

Pick: Seahawks. At this point, it’d be hard to argue that the Skins aren’t the second-worst team in the league. You have to feel for Mike Shanahan but he basically put himself in this position when he decided to go with Rex Grossman and John Beck. The Seahawks are coming off two pretty impressive victories and their defense will take over this game. Take Seattle’s pass rush versus the badly bruised Washington offensive line.

Bears @ Raiders

Pick: Raiders. As Tyler Palko learned Monday, it is tough to play a winning team on the road in your debut as a starter. Caleb Hanie could be in for a long day. He was impressive in the NFC title game last season, but the Raiders momentum is at an all-time high and they look dangerous. Oakland seems to really be clicking and I like how they have used Carson Palmer and Michael Bush. Hopefully, they will get Darren McFadden healthy soon.

Patriots @ Eagles.

Pick: Scott’s Pick: Tie. I’m not in love with New England, but I can’t for the life of me figure out Philadelphia. The Eagles are clinging to their playoff lives and the Pats have started to pull away in the fading AFC East. New England’s better, Philly’s screwier. The game for all intensive purposes should end in a tie. Can I predict a tie? What the heck, I’m going with neither to win.

Broncos @ Chargers

Pick: Broncos. Time to give up on the Chargers this season. Tim Tebow has proven he is a winner and I am not so sure Norv Turner and company can defend him.  After this one John Elway will finally wake up about the kid.

Steelers @ Chiefs

Pick: Steelers. Watch Monday’s game in New England. Yeah, I went there.

NY Giants @ Saints

Pick: Saints. This has the makings of one of the highest scoring games of the season. The Giants are coming off a crushing loss to a division foe and the Saints are coming off a bye. When you give a great coach like Sean Payton time to plan, it normally works out pretty well for his team.  The game will be close but give me New Orleans at home.

Photo: Getty

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