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Lots of Thursday action on this glorious Thanksgiving. Granted, the Lions, Cowboys, Redskins, Patriots and Jets are involved (ugh), knowing a brawl is always possible to break out whenever the Lions play (and sometimes against their opponents) as well as preparing to read another story about Rex Ryan breaking down and crying in front of his team after they gutlessly bash their back-up quarterback to the media always makes for high entertainment.
Houston 27, Detroit 17
It may not even be that close. Rest assured, the Texans aren't happy about having had Chad Henne hang 37 on them last week, and they're going to take it out on Matthew Stafford.
Redskins 24, Cowboys 20
This has all the makings of one of those Cowboys games that all but begs you to reaffirm previous beliefs that they can make the playoffs. They're like carnies working over a balloon darts game on the boardwalk in Atlantic City.
Patriots 45, Jets 20
Smooth Jimmy refuses to pick the Jets ever again.
Steelers 17, Cleveland 10
This defense is on fire right now. Smooth Jimmy apologizes if that gawd-awful Alicia Keys song is now stuck in your head. Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau will mind-screw Brandon Weeden, and the one-dimensional Browns simply won't be able to score except the interception return TD and fumble recovery deep in Steelers' territory (Pittsburgh Steelers Tickets).
Minnesota 24, Chicago 17
The Vikings keep reeling you in, don't they? As Adrian Peterson and Peyton Manning become the first players to ever compete for the MVP, Offensive Player of the Year and Comeback Player of the Year in the same season, the Vikings somehow find a way to stop the razor sharp Jason Campbell (ahem) for a season-saving win.
Cincinnati 28, Oakland 16
Indianapolis 21, Buffalo 13
Denver 31, Kansas City 13
Miami 20, Seattle 17
Tampa Bay 34, Atlanta 27
Smooth Jimmy has yet to believe the Falcons are even the best team in the NFC South, let alone the NFL. Watch the streaking Buccaneers announce their entrance into a suddenly open NFC playoff race.
Jacksonville 20, Tennessee 16
Likely the dumbest pick Smooth Jimmy will make this week. There's just something about the lack of Blaine Gabbert that seems to be taking on an opposite Jimmy Chitwood effect with the Jags. The Hickory Huskers were ok without Chitwood, but turned into a state power with him. The absence of Gabbert could be like that. Sort of like excising a tumor.
St. Louis 26, Cardinals 16
New Orleans 30, San Francisco 24
Green Bay 41, Giants 21
Philadelphia 37, Carolina 10