Week 11 handicapping column

By Keith Schleiden, Managing editor
Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2001

The Packers visiting the winless Lions? Not exactly must-see TV. The disappointing Broncos taking on the rebuilding Cowboys? Again, it’s not the most compelling matchup ever scheduled.

That said, let’s break down the Thanksgiving Day games, as well as a couple others.

Green Bay (-7) at Detroit

The Packers have played the Lions on Thanksgiving more often than any other NFL team. But the Lions hold the series advantages, posting a 10-4-1 record against the Packers. On the whole, the Lions aren’t nearly as dominant on Thanksgiving against other teams, going 32-27-2. While the Lions may be winless at the moment, they have been competitive over the past six weeks. In that span, their average margin of loss is just five points, and they haven’t lost by more than eight points. The Lions have won their last four Thanksgiving games, but I don’t see them upsetting the Packers this week. However, I do believe they will stick close and wind up winning against the spread.

Schleiden’s pick: Lions

Denver (-7) at Dallas

The Broncos have been struggling, thanks in part to a depleted WR corps. Many prognosticators expected the Broncos to be in the hunt for the Super Bowl, but at 5-5, they are now just hoping to get into the playoffs. The Cowboys are in rebuilding mode, but have been surprisingly competitive so far. While they are 2-7, they have been blown out of only two games — both against the Eagles. The Cowboys are 21-11-1 on Thanksgiving, although they have lost three of their last four. I bet they’ll make four of their last five, as I see the Broncos winning. But I like the Cowboys to cover.

Schleiden’s pick: Cowboys

Washington (+8) at Philadelphia

The Redskins have come charging back to life, winning four in a row after a disastrous 0-5 start. The Eagles appear to finally be hitting their stride, having won three in row (by a combined score of 105-27). While Washington has impressed me, I’m not convinced they are in the same league as the NFC East-leading Eagles. Now that the Eagles have discovered the running game — Duce Staley has rushed for 100 yards in consecutive weeks — I see them rolling over the Redskins.

Schleiden’s pick: Eagles

Tampa Bay (+10) at St. Louis

This is turning into quite the little rivalry. The Rams narrowly defeated the Buccaneers in the 1999 NFC championship game. The Buccaneers narrowly defeated the Rams on Monday Night Football last season. While Tampa Bay is certainly a big disappointment to date, I believe they are more talented than their 4-5 record suggests. The Rams, on the other hand, are clearly the best team in the conference, although they are limping into this game after suffering several key injuries last Sunday night. I like the Rams to win straight up, but not in a runaway. I’m taking the Bucs and the points.

Schleiden’s pick: Buccaneers

Last week’s record: 3-1
Season to date record: 22-14-4

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