Bill Belichick knows what’s up.
The New England Patriots head coach proclaimed Wednesday “football is a great holiday.” And while, sure, he actually meant to say “Thanksgiving,” the coach’s Freudian slip is perfect.
For some, Thanksgiving is about giving thanks, spending time with family and all that mumbo jumbo. Those of us who know better, including Belichick, know it’s a day and a weekend of football.
That being said, Team NESN is hoping to celebrate with a big week in the Las Vegas Westgate SuperContest as part of Team OddsShark. After a few solid weeks, the team of Mike Cole and Ricky Doyle had a losing week in Week 11, and they’re hoping to bounce back and climb up the still wide-open OddsShark standings.
Here are their Week 12 picks.
Minnesota Vikings (+2.5) vs. Detroit Lions, Thursday, 12:30 p.m. ET
Ford Field, Detroit
Despite all of the Vikings? issues this season, we still think they?re the better team. And had Blair Walsh connected on either an extra PAT or field goal in their first meeting with Detroit, the Vikings would have won. At some point, the Lions? inability to win a game convincingly will catch up to them.
Pittsburgh Steelers (-8) vs. Indianapolis Colts, Thursday, 8:30 p.m.
Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
This has been mentioned a couple of times this week, but Ben Roethlisberger has thrown 10 ? 10!! ? touchdown passes in his last two games against the Colts. Expect the Steelers to big lead a early and have no problem with salting away the clock by handing it off to Le?Veon Bell.
Tennessee Titans (-4.5) vs. Chicago Bears, Sunday, 1 p.m.
Soldier Field, Chicago
The Colts exploded for early scores last week against Tennessee, taking away the Titans? best weapon: their run game. When you look at that Bears offense, which probably will have Matt Barkley under center, it?s, uh, a little difficult to see Chicago doing the same thing this week.
Miami Dolphins (-7.5) vs. San Francisco 49ers, Sunday, 1 p.m.
Hard Rock Stadium, Miami
Vegas is just trying to tell us to stay away from the Dolphins by tacking on the extra half-point, but we?re going to bite regardless. Why? Because the 49ers can?t stop the run, and Miami?s five-game winning streak coincides with a newfound run game.
Green Bay Packers (+4) vs. Philadelphia Eagles, Monday, 8:30 p.m.
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia
Everything in the world tells you not to take the Packers, but we?re going to do it any way because of the matchup. Green Bay?s defense, thanks to injuries and incompetency, is miserable. But so is the Eagles? offense, especially on the outside; they don?t have receivers. So we?ll swallow hard and put our faith in the Packers.
Thumbnail photo via Christopher Hanewinckel/USA TODAY Sports Images
