The NFL and Thanksgiving have become a tradition. Families gather to give thanks, enjoy a turkey dinner, and in many households, watch NFL football. The Detroit Lions always host the early game, and the Dallas Cowboys always host the afternoon game, and in 2006 the NFL added a primetime game. This game has no specified host team and rotates from year to year. The primetime game this year has the Chicago Bears visiting the Green Bay Packers.

The Philadelphia Eagles will visit Detroit, with a 12:30 PM ET kickoff. The Detroit Lions are 35-38-2 on Thanksgiving, and the Eagles have never lost on Thanksgiving, boosting a 6-0 record. Last year, the Eagles stuffed the Cowboys 33-10.  Both teams are struggling this year and enter the game with losing records. The Lions basically need a miracle to make the playoffs. The Eagles are only one game behind the New York Giants for first place, in the NFC East. 

The undefeated Carolina Panthers visit the Cowboys who have Tony Romo back. Even at 3-7, the Cowboys still have hopes of making the playoffs only being two games behind the New York Giants. Carolina continues to win games, and are etching closer to locking up home field advantage throughout the NFC playoffs. 

The Chicago Bears visit Lambeau Field to play the Green Bay Packers, in the prime time game. The Packers need to win to maintain first place, in the NFC North. The Bears have quietly improved to 4-6 and could be mentioned in the playoff race with a win.

The NFL has expanded the Thanksgiving Day game to include three games. The two traditional games include Detroit hosting the early game, and the Dallas Cowboys hosting the afternoon game. The third game is a primetime event that rotates among the league. This year, the NFL decided to add the Green Bay Packers vs. Chicago Bears. This is the leagues most played rivalry and will mark the 192nd meeting between the clubs. Chicago leads the overall series, including playoffs, 93-92-6.  

In addition, the Green Bay Packers will retire the #4 jersey of Brett Favre at halftime. Joining the festivities will be Green Bay Packer Hall of Fame quarterback Bart Starr. Amidst the holiday and jersey retirement, there will be a football game played. The Packers defeated the Bears 31-23, in week one. Matt Forte tried to be a one man wrecking crew rushing for 141 yards on 24 carries. With the Bears down by eight, and a first and ten at the Green Bay 29; Jay Cutler threw a game changing interception. Clay Matthews intercepted Cutler and returned the ball into Chicago territory with under four minutes to play. The Packers cashed in with an Eddie Lacy two-yard run to make the score 31-16. 

The Bears enter week 12 with a 4-6 record, and are in a must win situation if they want a chance to make the playoffs. They are currently two games behind the Atlanta Falcons for the last wildcard spot. The Packers regained first place with a win over the Vikings and must win to maintain first place, in the NFC North. Suprisingly, the Bears offense ranks higher (16th) than the Packers (21st), in total yards. However, yards don't win games and the Packers rank ninth in points scored (24.9) while the Bears rank 21st (21.4). The Bears racked up over 400 yards in the week one loss against a Packers defense that now ranks ninth in scoring defense (19.8). The Bears are allowing 25.1 points per game, which ranks 22nd. Listen in and call the show with your thoughts.

The Green Bay Packers regained first place, in the NFC North, by defeating the Minnesota Vikings 30-13. Both teams have 7-3 records, but with the win the Packers own the head to head tiebreaker. The victory snaps a three game losing streak for the Packers, and ended the Vikings five game winning streak. After scoring 17 combined first half points during the last three games, the Packers held a 16-6 halftime advantage. Mason Crosby kicked two more second half field goals, giving him five for the day. Aaron Rodgers hit James Jones for a 27-yard touchdown late in the third quarter to give the Packers a 14 point lead. On the ensuing drive, the Vikings drove into Packers territory but Adrian Peterson fumbled after a 10 yard run.

The Packers defense domintaed the Vikings offensive line by applying constant pressure to Teddy Bridgewater. Officially, they recorded six sacks, but Bridgewater had to throw a number of balls away because of the pressure. Peterson entered the game as the NFL's leadng rusher, and averaged 21.7 attempts per game. He was held to 45 yards on 13 carries. 

Eddie Lacy rushed 22 times for 100 yards, marking his first 100 yard performance of the year. Lacy ran with power, and finished his runs all day. With the lead, the Packers leaned on Lacy to grind out tough yards and take time off the clock. On the stat sheet, Rodgers was not spectacular; 16-34 for 212 yards with two touchdowns. His first touchdown was aided by a 50-yard pass interference play on a third and fifteen with 1:53 remaining, in the first half. Back to back penalties allowed the Packers to finish the drive with the touchdown. On a third and nine, Rodgers found Richard Rodgers for a touchdown that was nullified because of offsetting penalties. David Bakhtiari was called for holding, and Linval Jospeh was flagged for roughing the passer so the Packers were not backed up 10 yards. Anthony Barr was called for illegal contact on the next play.

The NFL has claimed that they want parity, and this could be as close as you are going to get. There are two undefeated teams left, the New England Patriots and the Carolina Panthers. The Panthers will put their perfect record on the line against the 4-5 Washington Redskins, who are only a half game out of first place, in the NFC East. The Patriots host the Buffalo Bills on Monday night. In the Ryan vs. Belichick series you can throw the records out and expect a hard hitting football game.

The other notable game is on Sunday night. The Cincinatti Bengals travel to Arizona. The Bengals are coming off their first loss of the season and look to rebound against the Cardinals. The Cardinals have a three game winning streak and a three game lead over the Seattle Seahawks. Carson Palmer has thrown 23 touchdowns and Chris Johnson has revived his career running the ball. The Cardinals boost the leagues number one offensive in yards per game, with 421.1. The defense is holding up their end of the bargain by ranking third, allowing only 316.1 yards per game. The Bengals defense enters the game with the number one scoring defense, only allowing 16.9 points per game. 

Atlanta hosts the Colts in an intriguing game. The Colts are tied with the Texans at 4-5, for first place in the AFC South. The 6-3 Falcons are tied with the Green Bay Packers for the wildcard, in the NFC. Both teams hold a two game lead over a number of teams. The Chicago Bears have quietly won two games in a row. If they can beat the Brock Osweiler led Broncos, they would be at the .500 mark and have a legitimate shot to make a run at the playoffs. The Broncos have a three game lead over the Kansas City Chiefs. The Houston Texans have vaulted themselves back into the playoff picture, and will play the New York Jets. The Jets need to win to keep pace in the AFC wildcard race. Which games will you be watching this weekend?

This is only week 11, in the NFL, but the game between the Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings will go a long way to determine the NFC North Champion. The Vikings enter the game 7-2, while the Packers are 6-3. If the Vikings beat the Packers they will have a two game lead in the win column, and making the week 17 matchup more intriguing. 

Minnesota has not allowed more than 21 points during their five game winning streak. Mike Zimmer came to Minnesota with a strong defensive background. He has implemented a scheme that has them ranked second in the NFL, in points allowed (17.1). Teams have had a hard time running the ball against the eigth ranked rush defense.  Evan talks about the sack stat being overrated, which could be the case with the Vikings. They rank 16th in the league with 21 sacks but have gotten enough pressure to be effective and rank 15th against the pass. Offensively, the Vikings will lean on Adrian Peterson who leads the league in rushing, with 961 yards. Peterson averages 21.7 carries per game. Teddy Bridgewater has been average at best, boosting and 84.6 quarterback rating, which actually ranks 34th among all NFL quarterbacks. 

The Green Bay Packers are trying to figure out where the disconnect is on offense. During the three game losing streak; the Packers have only scored 17 first half points. The last two weeks have seen the offense come alive in the fourth quarter and tried to mount comebacks. Against the Carolina Panthers they fell yards short, and against the Detroit Lions they missed a two point conversion and a field goal. The Packers have abandoned the run game, and it will be no easy task getting it going against the Vikings. The offense line that was keeping Aaron Rodgers clean in the beginning of the season, have been dominated for three straight weeks. Finally, they need to get their playmakers into space and make plays.

The Chicago Cubs did not make the World Series, but they have been reeling in the MLB awards. Joe Maddon was named NL manager of the year. Mike Matheny finished second in the voting 37 points behind Maddon. Terry Collins, who led the New York Mets to the World Series, finished third. First year manager Jeff Bannister was named AL manager of the year. A.J. Hinch, who rejuvinated the Houston Astros franchise finised second. Minnesota Twins manager Paul Molitor rounded out the top three.

Unanimously, Kris Bryant won the NL rookie of the year award. Bryant became the 11th player in MLB history to win the award by unanimous decision. Matt Duffy of the San Francisco Giants finished second, while Pittsburgh Pirates Jung Ho Kang finished third. In a much closer race, Carlos Correa edged out Francisco Lindor for the AL rookie of the year. 

The most interesting race was for the NL Cy Young award. Jake Arrieta edged out Zack Greinke by receiving 17 of the 30 first place votes. Greinke received 10 and Clayton Kershaw had three votes. Dallas Keuchel had a hold on the AL Cy Young most of the year and received 22 of the 30 first place votes. David Price finished second in the voting, 43 points behind Keuchel. No other AL pitcher received a first place vote.

New England looked human beating the New York Giants on a 54 yard field goal by Stephen Gostowski. The Giants almost pulled off the victory, kicking the go ahead field with 1:47 remaining. Tom Brady converted a fourth and ten during the last drive, finding Danny Amendola for a 12 yard gain. The win keeps the Patriots perfect season in place while holding a four game lead over the Buffalo Bills and New York Jets. 

The Houston Texans did enough to hand the Cincinnati Bengals their first loss. They held Andy Dalton to 197 passing yards, and kept the Bengals out of the end zone. T.J. Yates tossed a 22 yard touchdown to DeAndre Hopkins, on the fourth play of the fourth quarter that gave the Texans the go ahead score. The Texans win puts them in a tie with the Indianapolis Colts for first place, in the AFC South.

The Broncos have lost two in a row, and Peyton Manning. Manning sustained and injury in the loss to the Chiefs. Manning had five completions and four interceptions. Brock Osweiler will get the start against the Chicago Bears. Even with the loss the Broncos still hold a three game lead over the Chiefs.

The Minnesota Vikings have put together a five game winning streak. This winning streak coupled with a three game Packers losing streak, puts the Vikings in first place. At 7-2, the Vikings have quietly made enough plays to win football games. Adrian Peterson added another 200 yard rushing game to his Hall of Fame resume. His sixth 200-yard game ties him with O.J. Simposon for the most in NFL history. The Vikings intercepted Derek Carr twice, and shutout the Raiders in the second half en route to a 30-14 victory.

After starting the season 6-0, the Green Bay Packers have dropped three in a row. At 6-3 they now find themselves in second place looking up at the Minnesota Vikings. Sunday was suppose to be the game that Aaron Rodgers and the Packers offense got back on track. The Detroit Lions entered the game 1-7 and struggling on both sides of the ball. 

When the Packers dropped games to the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers, the argument was made that they played against two of the best defensive units, in the NFL. During both games, the offense was exposed because they could not run the ball, protect Rodgers, or get seperation at the receiver position. On defense, the front seven was unable to warrant any pressure on Peyton Manning or Cam Newton. Again, the excuse was made they played against very good offense lines. The Packers received a pass because both teams were undefeated. 

No more excuses for the Packers after losing to the Detroit Lions 18-16. Once again, the Packers offense sputtered in the first half, scoring three points. They have only scored 17 points in the first half, of the last three games. The Packers failed to complete comebacks in the last two games. Rodgers was intercepted against Carolina, and a two-point conversion was broken up in the end zone against the Lions. After recovering an onside kick, Mason Crosy miss hit a 52 yard field goal.

From top to bottom, offense to defense to special teams this team lacks "IT". A confident 6-0 team has turned into a deer in headlight team at 6-3. They lack continuity on offense. The offense line can't hold run blocks or protect Rodgers. Rodgers dances around when he has time. Running backs are being bottled up at or near the line of scrimmage. The defense can't get off the field when it matters, and the special teams gave up a big play that swayed momentum.

You can analyze every play, but it is evident the Packers just don't have it.

Jack Del Rio took over an Oakland Raider team that had not made the playoffs in 12 years. The best record over that span was 8-8. The Raiders enter week nine with a 4-4 record and a legitimate chance to make a run at the playoffs. Mike Zimmer took over the Vikings before the 2014 season. After a 7-9 record, in his first season, the Vikings already have a 6-2 mark and are tied with the Green Bay Packers for first place, in the NFC North. This game is more of a must win for the Raiders as they are battling the rest of the AFC for a wildcard. The Vikings still have two games against the Packers that could determine first place.

The Green Bay Packers face the Detriot Lions at Lambeau Field, on Sunday. Both teams are in of a win for different reasons. The Packers started the season 6-0 and have dropped back to back games. Both losses came at the hands of undefeated teams. However, they did not look like a playoff team in either game being dominated on both sides of the ball. It took a sideline scuffle to fire up the Packers after being down by 20 points to mount a comeback that fell a few yards short. By dropping two games in a row, they have fallen back to the pack and are now tied with the Minnesota Vikings for first place. 

The Detroit Lions have started the season 1-7 and have dropped two games in a row. With Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson,  Golden Tate, and the addition of Ameer Abdullah the offense was suppose to put up points. After 8 games they have only scored 149 points. San Francisco is the only team that has scored fewer points (126).  Ndamukong Suh left for Miami, so the Lions tried to fill the void with Haloti Ngata. A defense that was once feared in the NFC North has become average at best.  To make matters worse, the Detroit Lions have not won in Green Bay since December 15, 1991.