2011 NFL Schedule Week 12 & Odds: Thanksgiving week is usually an exciting one for football fans, but this year should be more enjoyable than most. With the Lions, a traditional Thanksgiving Day host, typically down, their game seldom means much. However, this Thursday Detroit has an opportunity to hand its rival and the defending Super Bowl champions Packers their first loss of the season. A victory would also solidify the Lions bid to make the playoffs for the first time since the 1999 season. Also on the docket is a Thanksgiving clash between two of the top teams in the league, San Francisco and Baltimore, or as some are calling it, the Harbaugh Bowl.
The "are they for real" line of the week:
Buffalo Bills vs New York Jets (-9)
This category could apply to both teams but the Bills have probably done enough to prove that their strong start was an abberation. New York, on the other hand, has not. The Jets are an inconsistent bunch, which raises doubts about their postseason chances, but they were much the same team two seasons ago when they reached the AFC Championship. That said, if they lose to the Bills at home after an extended rest period, they might be done. A win over Buffalo proves little at this point, though. The "are they for real" aspect applies only from a loss perspective.
The "barking dog" line of the week: San Francisco 49ers vs Baltimore Ravens (-3)
This is certainly a worse situation for the Niners, having to travel across the country on short rest to face a team that has not lost a game at home all season, but San Francisco will find a way to get up for this game. And if you believe that, then you might as well believe they got a chance to pull off the upset. Baltimore's offense has been hit and miss this season and San Francisco's defense could give them trouble on Thursday.
Honorable Mention – Miami Dolphins (+7 at Dallas on Thursday)
The "rebound" line of the week: Cleveland Browns vs Cincinnati Bengals (-7.5)
The Bengals have beat the Browns 11 times in the last 14 meetings between the two in-state rivals, so, why fight history? Cincinnati is the superior team and its defense should have little difficulty shutting down Cleveland's anemic offense. Yes, the Browns possess a stout defense as well, but they've still given up an average of 23.3 points per game on the road where they are 1-3 and losing by an average of 9.7 points per game.
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2011 NFL Schedule Week 12 & Odds: Provided by BetOnline.com
Thanksgiving Games –
12:30 PM ET Packers vs Lions (+6/55)
4:15 PM ET Dolphins vs Cowboys (-7/44)
8:20 PM ET 49ers vs Ravens (-3/38.5)
Sunday Games -
1:00 PM ET Bills vs Jets (-9/42)
1:00 PM ET Browns vs Bengals (-7.5/37)
1:00 PM ET Texans vs Jaguars (+3.5/38.5)
1:00 PM ET Panthers vs Colts (+3.5/44)
1:00 PM ET Buccaneers vs Titans (-3.5/42)
1:00 PM ET Vikings vs Falcons (NA)
1:00 PM ET Cardinals vs Rams (NA)
4:05 PM ET Bears vs Raiders (NA)
4:05 PM ET Redskins vs Seahawks (-4/37)
4:15 PM ET Broncos vs Chargers (-6.5/43.5)
4:15 PM ET Patriots vs Eagles (NA)
8:20 PM ET Steelers vs Chiefs (NA)
Monday Night Football -
8:30 PM ET Giants vs Saints (NA)
