NFL Thanksgiving Day Picks

Nov 9, 2014; London, UNITED KINGDOM; NFL commissioner Roger Goodell (left) and Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones before the game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the NFL International Series game at Wembley Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

I am back from my NFL picking exile to make these three Thanksgiving Day picks. My selections have not been up to par this season so I am hoping my pick making on Twitter has limited my shame. With that said it is time to put my pride on the line three more times.

Chicago Bears [5-6 third place NFL North] @ Detroit Lions [7-4 second place NFC North] 12:30 p.m. CBS

Already Detroit has matched its total last season and has done so with the third fewest rush yards per game average in the NFL. It’s rush defense is the best in the NFL so Matt Forte could be in for a long day. Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford has had a disappointing past couple of weeks throwing 0 touchdowns and two interceptions in two losses. The Bears have been trending upward but those wins have come against the Minnesota Vikings and Tampa Bay Buccaneers, both teams that have not had good seasons. I feel that Stafford will settle down and have a good passing day against one of the most depleted secondaries in the NFL.

Pick: Lions 24 Bears 13

Philadelphia Eagles [8-3 T-1 NFC East] @ Dallas Cowboys [8-3 T-1 NFC East] 4:30 FOX

This game is the first meeting of the season and in two weeks these teams will face off once again. Since the injury of Nick Foles, the Eagles have been up and down but are coming off a 43-24 win against the Tennessee Titans. The Cowboys have been surprisingly steady and now in November are in the month where they find the most success. Dallas has the second most rushing yards per game which should not come as a surprise considering DeMarco Murray is the leading runner in the NFL. The Cowboys will take round one and right now they are the better team.

Pick: Cowboys 35 Eagles 18

Seattle Seahawks [7-4 T-2 NFC West] @ San Francisco 49ers [7-4 T-2 NFC West] 8:30 NBC

Wow decent Thanksgiving games instead of being forced to watch at least one terrible team, which usually was the Lions. This one could have major playoff implications since Arizona has surprised everyone and is currently in first place so this is round one of what could be a two round prize fight. Since the NFC South has been a dud, one of these teams may be on the outside or battling the Eagles in addition to each other for a Wild Card berth. The question is can the 49ers stop Russell Wilson and Marshawn Lynch and for me I am not so sure. This game will be determined by the run and Seattle is first in stopping the run.

Pick: Seahawks 20 49ers 17