It’s Thanksgiving Day in America and we’ve got a lot to be thankful for this side of the pond. Last night the NFL thanked UK fans for our continued support, but we should show our gratitude to them for bringing us this sport.
We should also be thankful for the three amazing games they’ve scheduled for today! It’s wide open in the NFC and we’ve got three crackers to look forward to.
It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving Day without a Lions game on the box. They get our evening of football underway, playing host to division rivals Chicago. The Lions will want to halt their two-game losing streak against a talented Bears team that has failed to live up to expectations this season. The Bears have won their last two games, but they’re 1&2 in the division. Detroit need this to stay in the play-off positions. Defeat will eliminate the Bears.
The second game of the evening is another Thanksgiving tradition. The Cowboys have hosted a Thanksgiving Day game since the 60s and this year’s match-up has everything at stake. The NFC East is up for grabs in this one. Philly travel to Texas sitting at the top of the division. Both teams have winning records in the East, but with so many top teams battling for just two wild card places, each side will want the guarantee of a top spot. The winner of this one can cement their place in the post season in two weeks time when the Eagles play the Cowboys again.
The headline act this Thanksgiving Day will be a bruising encounter for us all. There’s no love lost between the Seattle Seahawks and San Francisco 49ers. History tells us that it’s normally the home side who wins when these two play each other. The 49ers are in their new home, but they’ve won the last five at home in this series. Both offences have struggled to impress, but both of their defences have been amongst the best in the league in recent weeks. This game might be low scoring, but we’re guaranteed an exciting encounter. There’s so much play for here. The 49ers and Seahawks are both 7&4; each side are two games behind the Cardinals. The loser will be left outside the play-off spots looking in and it’s unlikely that the Cardinals will lose four of their next five. Like in the East, this fixture is reversed in just two weeks time.
So, sit back, enjoy the football and be thankful for the drama that will unfold in front of your eyes.
5th Down UK 