Genre: Opinion/Argumentation

NFL Week 12 -- The Turkey Edition November 25th, 2012 Posted by Laura By the end of Thursday, some head coaches were definitely more thankful than others. After challenging a play that couldn't be challenged (Justin Forsett's 81-yard touchdown in the third quarter), Jim Schwartz changed the landscape of the rest of the game between his Lions and the AFC-leading Texans. And after a sloppy overtime period (a pair of turnovers and two missed field goals), it was Houston who came away with its fifth straight victory. As for the other Thanksgiving games, Robert Griffin III's star was shining even brighter under the lights in Big D (311 passing yards, four touchdowns) while the Patriots embarrassed the Jets after putting up 35 second quarter points in the night cap. With three games already in the books, it's time to look ahead to some of the other key Week 12 match-ups. Remember when the Saints began the season 0-4? Feels like a lifetime ago but the team is right back in the playoff discussion after winning five of its last six games. But beginning with San Francisco, Sunday marks the start of a tough remaining schedule for New Orleans (followed by trips to Atlanta and New York to face the Giants). Will the offence be able to keep up its torrid pace against one of the best defences in the league? Drew Brees has been his typical Drew Brees self this season (28 touchdowns and over 306 passing yards a game) but the Saints have been able to benefit from a reborn running game recently. The club has rushed for at least 140 yards in each of its last three contests, this after surpassing the 100 yard plateau just once in the previous eight games. With an effective rushing attack (Darren Sproles is expected to return after missing the last three games with a broken hand), New Orleans is that much more difficult to defend. But if any team's up for the challenge, it's San Francisco. The Niners are coming off an outstanding defensive performance Monday night against the Bears after recording six sacks, two interceptions and a safety. The unit is allowing less than 14 points (fewest in the league) and just 277 total yards per game. But the Saints offence (averaging over 28 points and 391 yards) present a whole other challenge. In a match-up featuring the last two Super Bowl winners, only one team is playing like a champion these days. Instead of dwelling on what should have been, the Packers have used the blown call in Seattle as motivation reeling off an impressive five game winning streak despite missing some key contributors (Greg Jennings, Sam Shields and Charles Woodson to name a few). The Giants on the other hand, have lost two in a row as Eli Manning and the offence has struggled (hasn't thrown more than 215 yards or a touchdown in any of his last three games). But maybe the bye is just what the doctor ordered. Historically, New York has played well immediately following its off week (winning the last four times in that situation) and has corrected any earlier missteps by going on a late charge in the second half of the season. Why should this year be any different? And while there are many questions surrounding the Giants, this game could come down to the line of scrimmage battle. The Packers lead the NFC with 33 sacks and recorded five last week even without their best defensive player in the lineup (Clay Matthews will miss a second straight game with a hamstring injury). New York has done a good job protecting its quarterback this season with just 12 sacks allowed, but six of those have come in the last two contests (Manning has four turnovers in those games as well). The Giants defence will put the pressure on Aaron Rodgers, but it's the offence that has to step up (just 33 points scored in the last two weeks) if the team hopes to get back on track. They may have the superior record in the NFC South, but the Falcons haven't been playing like the best team in the division lately. After losing its first game of the season back in Week 10, Atlanta followed that up with a disappointing outing against lowly Arizona but got the victory despite a career high five interceptions from Matt Ryan. In fact, it's a mini-miracle the Falcons went so long with a perfect record considering that six of their last seven games have been decided by a touchdown or less. But don't expect Ryan to put up similar numbers this week against a Bucs team that may have the best rush defence in the league, but is ranked dead last against the pass (over 312 yards per game). Even if Julio Jones isn't at full strength (suffering from an ankle injury), Atlanta has the weapons to take advantage of a Tampa D that lives and dies with the blitz. But this won't be a walk in the park for the Falcons. The Bucs are one of the biggest surprises this season and with a victory on Sunday, the team would have its first five game winning streak in a decade. The strength of this Tampa club lies in its offence led by quarterback Josh Freeman who has thrown for multiple touchdowns in each of the last six games (the team is averaging more than 34 points over that span). And while the Falcons will be looking to exploit the mismatch in the passing game, standout rookie Doug Martin should see lots of work against an Atlanta team allowing five yards per carry, one of the worst marks in the league. Offence will be the name of the game between these division rivals.