Let The Festivities Begin

Happy Thanksgiving! Enjoy the family, the food, the fun and the football. Three NFL games will fill the atmosphere, keeping us sated visually as we feast.

Think of the first game as an appetizer. An unappetizing appetizer. It is poached oysters on toast points. It is creamed Brussels sprouts. It is the Philadelphia Eagles (4-6, losers of their last two) visiting the Detroit Lions (3-7, winners of their last two). At 12:30 p.m. ET.

The Eagles are a major disappointment after their vast array of bizarre personnel moves engineered by coach Chip Kelly; the Lions are pretty much the Lions. We give this game one turkey leg on a one-to-five scale, five being a very weird turkey that only John Madden could create and one being this game.

At 4:30 p.m, the fun truly begins. The unbeaten Carolina Panthers (10-0) pay a call on the Dallas Cowboys (3-7). Not the stinkeroo it might appear to be. Tony Romo is back at quarterback for the Cowboys, who are 3-0 when he starts. Cowboys defensive end Greg Hardy is a former Panther and a player often in the spotlight for the wrong reasons. The Cowboys have a huge fan base and huge group of haters, so there is something for everyone here. Four turkey legs!

Dessert is served at 8:30 p.m. The Chicago Bears (4-6) play the Green Bay Packers (7-3) at Lambeau Field. A storied rivalry that dates to 1921, this one can impact the NFC North race. It’s the only intradivisional game of the day. Five turkey legs!

Watch football. Eat, drink and be merry. For tomorrow you must shop.

Have a great Thanksgiving.
 
 
Post By: Larry Weisman, a longtime sportswriter for USA TODAY, blogs for Twistity.com. Follow him on Twitter @MrLarryWeisman .