I am the Program Director at 1410 WING ESPN Radio in Dayton, Ohio...also host of Dayton Sports Scene weekdays at 5p! Find me on Twitter @ESPNMark!
Thanksgiving Day NFL is a must!
by Mark Neal,posted Nov 20 2012 3:09PM
Food, Family, and of course Football...3 of the great "F" words in the English language. They all come together on Thanksgiving Day. We here at 1410 ESPN Radio will bring you a Turkey Day Double-header with the Texans/Lions at 12p, and the Packers/Giants at 8p. While we all think about travel, grocery shopping, and house cleaning, here is my football forecast for your Thursday!
GM 1 Texans @ Lions 12p coverage on 1410 ESPN Radio
The Lions are as much a Turkey Day staple as my Dad saying "Tryptophan" after dinner. It seems like yesterday, everyone was clammering for the Motor City Kitties to be banished from our day of thanks...but they survivied, and so did their annual home game. The Lions face a team in the Texans that could be playing Super Bowl Sunday. Matt Schaub is coming into his own in 2012, just needs to stay healthy...just like teammate and top target, Andre Johnson. The X factor for Detriot is whether they can run the football, and whether they can stop anyone. They usually can't do either, but at home, on Thanksgiving, the Lions show us all what we thought we would see in 2012. Matt Stafford found Calvin Johnson for a rare 2012 TD last week in a loss, and that combo is beginning to get warm. I see the Lions in a close one, 24-20
GM 2 Redskins @ Cowboys 4p
Talk about 2 teams that hate one another, and 2 teams that needs 2012 wins ASAP. They are very different units, one lead by a veteran gunslinger who seems to make the wrong decisions at the wrong times, while the other is lead by a young Heisman Trophy winning phenom known for his brain. Both are athletic, both still have a lot to learn. As strange as it sounds, a Cowboys win and a Giants loss puts America's Team in 1st place in teh NFC East. That would make Jerry Jones happier than his son-in-law was to wipe off his glasses. Washington looks to build on what is year #1 of a rebuilding project. Injuries have crushed the 'Skins Defense, but they still have a few play makers left. Turnovers are the key...the one with the most, especially late...that's you Tony Romo...will lose this one. But, of course, I like the Cowboys 24-13...sorry RG3...maybe another time.
GM 3: Patriots @ Jets 8p coverage on 1410 ESPN Radio
The Jets want revenge from their OT loss to the Patriots so bad, they probably "Can't Wait" for Thursday, right Bart Scott? The Jets played very well that day, just gave Tom Brady too much time. Mark Sanchez was otherworldly that day, throwing for over 300 yards, they will need that for Thursday. No Gronk for New England means slightly new offensive approach, especially in the Red Zone. Who do you go to now, inside the 5? Big decisions on a short week. The most interesting post game stat will be, of course, the number of Tim Tebow references by the announcers. The number will be close to the number of Tom Brady passing yards, I'm afraid to say. The Jets just don't have the guns...31-17 Pats
Enjoy the Holidays and the Football...Happy Thanksgiving from us here at 1410 ESPN Radio!
