Happy Thanksgiving to all, and nothing goes better with turkey than football. We have three games, starting with the Chicago Bears at the Detroit Lions and ending with the Miami Dolphins at the Green Bay Packers. I think each team has a chance to win, so have previewed each team and outlined their keys to success.
Chicago Bears:
The 4-7 Chicago Bears keep inventing new ways to lose football games. If a few bounces go their way, they are 7-4 and looking at a playoff spot. Not all is gloomy, as first-overall pick Caleb Williams has shown major improvement over his last two games. He will need to stay sharp if the Bears have any chance to upset the Lions because you must beat the Lions through the air, as the Lions have a tough run defense. Williams needs to keep on doing what he does best: move around in the pocket and take what rushing yards he can on the ground. Keep finding receivers DJ Moore and Keenan Allen on short to intermediate routes, and then fine Rome Odunze for bigger plays down the field. Look for a big play by D’Andre Swift on a screen pass. The key for the Bears is going to be scoring at least 27 points, most likely 30, if they want to win. Why so many points? Their defense must slow down the two-headed monster running attack in David Montgomery and Jahmyr Gibbs. Both are excellent runners, and nobody has contained them yet.
Detroit Lions:
The Lions can easily control the Bear’s defensive front with their top-notch offensive line. The Lions start out by pounding RB David Montgomery and then add shifty RB Jahmry Gibbs into the mix. Look for these two to control the game and for QB Jared Goff to find receivers open downfield off-play action. WR Amon-Ra St. Brown should have a solid game as Goff’s favorite target, but I think WR Jameson Williams is going to make some huge downfield plays off play action. On defense, they need to continue to be a strong run defense and then keep QB Caleb Williams somewhat contained so he can’t make big plays down the field.
New York Giants:
The 2-9 Giants have lost six straight games, and there doesn’t seem to be many signs of life. They do have one player who could really shine, and that is RB Tyrone Tracy. He makes explosive plays, and the Dallas bad run defense should be attacked. Plus, the Giant passing game has been ugly, and the switch to QB Tommy DeVito had lackluster results last week. They just can’t rely on Tracy, so DeVito needs to get the ball into the hands of his playmaking receivers Malik Nabers and Wan’Dale Robinson. It’s a tough task because Dallas isn’t going to respect a deep passing game with their current situation. Defensively, the Giants must minimize the Dallas running game and get pressure from their front four to force QB Cooper Rush into bad throws. A turnover or two could go a long way.
Dallas Cowboys:
The 4-7 Cowboys are coming off a big upset win over the Commanders in a wild and wacky game decided largely by special teams. Plus, their offense was efficient and able to move the football at times, which should carry through to this week. I think Dallas will try to run the football with RB Rico Dowdle, and he should have success, as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers just ran the ball down the Giant’s throat on Sunday. I also expect QB Cooper Rush to get WR Cee Dee Lamb heavily involved, as he should score a touchdown and close in on 100 yards. On defense, the Cowboys should sell out for the run and dare QB Tommy DeVito to beat them deep.
Miami Dolphins:
The Miami offense has averaged 29 points in the five games since Tua Tagovailoa returned from injury. It is going to be in the 20s in Green Bay, and much will be said about the Dolphins offense playing in cold weather. Despite the weather, I think they move the ball and score 24-plus points. They have too many weapons, and I think the Packers will have a difficult time trying to stop RB De’Von Achane and the slew of weapons the Dolphins have. The Packer defense has not faced many difficult tests, and when they have, teams like Minnesota and Detroit were able to move the football with little resistance. On defense, they will be tested by RB Josh Jacobs, who should get 20-plus carries. If they can limit him, their pass defense could force QB Jordan Love into a turnover or two.
Green Bay Packers:
The 8-3 Packers don’t seem to have a huge team weakness. RB Josh Jacobs is coming off a 3 TD performance and I would expect that he gets a ton of touches. The Dolphins have a solid pass defense, and the Packers would like nothing more than to control the clock and keep Achane and Tyreek Hill off the field. Also, a good running game can open the passing game on play-action. I think WR Christian Watson could be back in the mix after a quiet game vs. the 49ers. Also, expect the Packers to use TE Tucker Kraft over the middle as the Packers scheme very well. On defense, the key will be to limit Achane and get to Tua. Two tasks that are going to be difficult to do without blitzing.