Thanksgiving Review

'RG4': Redskins quarterback throws for four scores, breaks Cowboys Turkey day streak

Robert Griffin III continues to light up the NFL in his rookie season, yet again reminding viewers across the country on Thanksgiving why he is one of the most potent offensive weapons in the league. 

The Heisman trophy winner out of Baylor led the Redskins to a 38-31 victory over NFC rivals Dallas, opening up the race for the NFC East division title. With the New York Giants hosting a red hot Packers squad on Sunday night, there is the possibility of all three teams being separated by a single game heading into Week 13. 

The game on Thursday epitomised the struggles that the Cowboys have endured this year - going behind early and often, before launching a miraculous comeback effort and ultimately coming up just short in the fourth quarter. 

Having taken the lead with a Dan Bailey field goal, Dallas allowed the 'Skins to put up 28 unanswered points to lead comfortably at the half, and this deficit ultimately proved too challenging to overcome. A similar fate was suffered by the New York Jets in the evening matchup: the New England Patriots defense stepped up to help Bill Belichick's side score three touchdowns in under a minute, effectively ending any chances the Jets had of staying in the contest.

Playing catch-up, however, allowed the Cowboys to finally hit their stride and Tony Romo enjoyed a career day despite the loss, throwing for 441 yards and three touchdowns - his stat line only blemished by his first interception in four games.

Star Studded: Dez Bryant races 85 yards to score, leaving the Washington secondary in his wake

Dez Bryant was the primary beneficiary of Romo's production, catching eight balls for 145 yards and two scores, most of it coming from an 85 yard touchdown reception after Romo scrambled to make the play happen. With the loss of Miles Austin in the first quarter to a hip injury, Bryant and Jason Witten will be relied on to make receiving plays for the Cowboys going forward.

However, the day belonged to 'RG3', who set the tone with a 68 yard deep ball to Aldrick Robinson to put Washington ahead in the first quarter. Griffin and his receivers made the Cowboys secondary seem very ordinary all game, and Pierre Garcon's 59 yard catch and run, which he took to the house, highlighted the frailties of Dallas and their unsuccessful efforts to contain the second overall draft pick.

Dallas have historically played well on Thanksgiving, boasting a record of 28-15-1 over the years, but their most recent run of five Turkey day wins was ended abruptly by the Redskins on Thursday. With Philadelphia next week, the Cowboys will hope to secure a win before facing a host of in-form teams down the stretch as they make their playoff push. Road games at Cincinnati and Washington, as well as the visits of Pittsburgh and New Orleans, are not particularly enticing for a team that can be so inconsistent.

Washington are still to face the Baltimore Ravens and the New York Giants, but both games will be at Fed-Ex Field. Their away games against Cleveland and Philadelphia will be seen as must wins to keep their playoff hopes alive, with a possible division decider against Dallas at home to finish. 

Their upcoming schedule is not overly favourable, but not too tough either, and with Robert Griffin III at the helm, who knows what this team will achieve as the season concludes.

  

Weekly Predictions

Ravens and Rice look to end Raiders' playoff dream:

The Oakland Raiders have experienced a rocky first half of the season, and the sudden swings in fortune that have defined this squad throughout the year make it difficult to predict which Silver and Black team will turn up each week.

One thing that has been fairly consistent however, is the ability of opposing running backs to run all over the Oakland defense. Despite being an 11th ranked defensive squad against the rush heading into week nine, the Raiders' frailties were exposed by Tampa Bay rookie Doug Martin, who rushed for 251 yards and four touchdowns. 

This performance from the Buccaneers' new phenom was by no means an anomaly either. Denver's Willis McGahee and Miami's Reggie Bush have both comfortably managed 100 yard games against the Raiders, with the latter breaking through no less than six missed tackles on his way to scoring in their week two matchup.

With Oakland desperately needing a win to stay in the AFC playoff picture, they have no option but to improve. A turnaround on defense is all the more urgent when one considers that their opposing running back this week will be Ray Rice - considered by most to be ranked in the top three at his position.

If he can emulate the kind of performance Martin enjoyed last week, the Oakland season could be all but over.

Oakland Raiders @ Baltimore Ravens

Score: OAK 24 - 31 BAL

Analysis: The Ravens should be too strong for the unpredictable Raiders at home this week. Carson Palmer should be able to air the ball out successfully however, as the loss of RB's Darren McFadden and Mike Goodson should force him to throw the football more often. While the Ravens' defense is not what it once was, their offense should prevail - Joe Flacco is notoriously better playing at home, and Ray Rice should get up and over 100 yards with ease against a porous run defense. Torrey Smith, who has been kept quiet in recent weeks, will be able to emulate the deep threat Vincent Jackson posed for the Bucs in the Black Hole last week and should enjoy a nice day.

Bold Prediction: Denarius Moore and Torrey Smith will both have 100 yard games through the air.

Gold Rush: Daryl Richardson should be limited in production by the Niners defense this week

St Louis Rams @ San Francisco 49ers

Score: STL 0 - 24 SF

Analysis: After seeing the Rams defense get picked apart by Tom Brady at Wembley two weeks ago, it is hard to see them putting up any points against arguably the best defense in the league. San Francisco should be solid at home, and Alex Smith has experienced a recent good run of form. Frank Gore should be productive once again, just as Steven Ridley was for the Patriots against this Rams squad before the bye week. Finally, I like Vernon Davis to re-emerge this week as a top targeted tight end. He should be the beneficiary as wide receivers Michael Crabtree and Randy Moss face up against against the stout corner-back duo of Courtland Finnegan and Janoris Jenkins. 

Bold Prediction: Sam Bradford turns the ball over 3+ times.

Atlanta Falcons @ New Orleans Saints

Score: ATL 27 - 31 NO

Analysis: This is the week that the Falcons' undefeated streak comes to an end. Despite the Saints having the the worst pass defense in the league, and Atlanta possessing the most talented wide receivers, Drew Brees will be the quarterback that succeeds in what will inevitably be a shootout in the Superdome. Look for big days from Marques Colston and Jimmy Graham in the Saints passing game, and also a huge game for Falcons deep threat Julio Jones.

Bold Prediction: Julio Jones and Marques Colston will have 300 yards receiving combined.

Packers Playoff Push

Sent Packing: Arizona become Green Bay's fourth victim on the bounce as Packers seek playoff berth

Any team that finishes 15-1 in the regular season one year, is bound to be smothered with expectation the next. Often such assumptions can become over-encumbering for a team, especially one that struggles with early season form, is plagued with injuries and is still lamenting what could have been eight months ago.

Indeed, the Green Bay Packers were brought back to earth rather suddenly as the 2012/2013 season kicked off in September, and after five weeks (involving several sub-par performances) found themselves in a slight predicament at 2-3.

With their division rivals, Chicago and Minnesota, beginning the season in surprisingly dominant fashion, the Packers were lying third in the division they had clinched so convincingly a year ago.

Linebacker Clay Matthews, when asked about his team's struggles after the loss to Indianapolis on October 7th, stated that 'we need to be doing the fundamentals right'.

When a reporter inquired as to how much trouble the all-pro linebacker thought the Packers were in, Matthews admitted that 'we're not where we want to be'.

He went on to say 'It's a long season, and we need to fix it so that we can hopefully make some plays in the post-season'.

Matthews touched on a strong point - at that stage in the season, there was plenty of football still to be played, and four successive wins have put Green Bay on the heels of the Bears in the race for the division title.

Lambeau Leap: Jones pulls in one of Aaron Rodgers four touchdown passes on Sunday

The victory against Arizona this past week emphasized the ability of Aaron Rodgers to make up for significant injuries in perhaps the most dangerous passing attack in the NFL. Since week four the Packers quarterback has thrown 22 touchdowns at the expense of only three interceptions. 

Notably, his improving numbers have come through the breakout sophomore performance of Randall Cobb and the red zone threat of James Jones, proving Rodgers' qualities in making plays, despite the loss of studs Greg Jennings and (in part) Jordy Nelson. 

Cobb found the end-zone twice against the Cardinals, while Jones pulled off a spectacular leaping catch to hit pay dirt himself.

The Packers have this week off on a bye, and will be hoping for the 7-1 Texans to snatch a win against the Bears, who boast the same record, as the NFC North teams start to make their respective playoff pushes.