Are You Ready for Some Football?

They go hand in hand, like peas and carrots, like peanut butter and jelly, like I-95 and congestion. Thanksgiving Day has always showcased two main actors and this year is no different with oversized turkeys playing the lead and nine hours of hard-nosed football to back it up today.

The games this year, however, do not have as much playoff implication or consequence as years past. While most of us remember only two games being on the television set and Detroit and Dallas always playing gracious host, the NFL a few years ago decided to throw one more turkey leg at us and grant us a primetime game as well.

Here is a preview of the NFL Turkey Day action:

New England Patriots (8-2) @ Detroit Lions (2-8) – 12:30 p.m. on CBS

While the Lions have shown signs of life this season despite a dismal 2-8 start, they will have their hands full against a Patriots team who will in all likelihood uses this game as a "tune up game" in preparation for their showdown with the Jets on Monday Night Football on December 6th. Look for Brady to hook up often with Welker and for the Pats to run the table on the Lions.

New Orleans Saints (7-3) @ Dallas Cowboys (3-7) – 4:15 p.m. on FOX

With a new head coach, and pride to play for in the big "D," look for Dallas to come out swinging against a New Orleans team that has quietly become one of the Super Bowl favorites in the NFC. The Saints are also trying to keep pace with the 8-2 Falcons who currently sit atop the NFC South, so even if Dallas does not have much to play for, the Saints certainly do and will act accordingly.

Cincinnati Bengals (2-8) @ New York Jets (8-2) – 8:20 p.m. on NFL Network / My9 WWOR

The J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS have orchestrated some late 4th quarter and overtime heroics over the past few weeks, and it begs the question, will Gang Green's luck with run out on Thanksgiving? Not likely. The Jets who are 8-2 will look to gain their 9th win of the season against a Bengals team that has been laughable this season, despite the acquisition of Terrell Owens, who with Chad Ochocinco seemed to be a fierce two-headed monster of receivers when the year began. Couple that with a 7-game losing streak and you have what will be an easy victory for New York.