Cohen's Week 13 NFL Selections

Ok everyone it's time to hit the tredmill after a hearty feast on Thanksgiving. That's right even us non-athletes have to find ways to stay in shape after a day of gorgeing ourselves for an entire day.

Meanwhile the NFL did not have a feast on Thanksgiving. In fact all three games were of the blowout kind and did little to depreciate the fact that the league must consider revising it's Thanksgiving Day schedule for 2009 and beyond. The fact that the Lions, who have not won a thing are still on Thanksgiving is a joke. Also, the fact that the Cowboys seemingly always play an inferior opponent in Dallas on turkey day has to stop as well. Yes, I know nobody knows what the record of each team will be on Thanksgiving when schedules are released in April, but it's time for change.

Still, there are some more interesting games left to gobble up this weekend. Here are some picks:

SAINTS (6-5) @ BUCCANEERS (8-3): The Saints actually showed up Monday night putting up 51 points on the Green Bay Packers. Drew Brees continues to set records; already with 3,574 yards passing, Brees could break Dan Marino's record for most yards passing in a single season if he keeps it up. However, he will have to do that against a defense that is second in the league against the pass. The Buccaneers surrender only 174 yards through the air a game, and have recored 14 interceptions of opposing quarterbacks.

This matchup will be critical. If Brees has any success against the Buccaneers pass defense, then the Saints could and should win this football game. Anything less will result in a sure defeat. PICK: BUCCANEERS 24, SAINTS 20.

GIANTS (10-1) @ REDSKINS (7-4): The Giants are exactly what their record says: the best team in football. No one has stopped the Giants yet this year. Even without Brandon Jacobs and Plaxico Burress, the Giants found a way to out slug the Arizona Cardinals. Interestingly enough, Jacobs should be ready to go on Sunday, but Burress will not play because of a sore right hamstring. This is big, considering Burress tourched the Redskins for 10 catches and 133 yards in their first meeting back in week 1. However, the Giants still have the weapons to beat the Redskins.

The Redskins are not the same team that played the Giants in early September. That Redskins team had little self-confidence. This one has it. Quarterback Jason Campbell has played well at times this year, but, he is not as clueless as he was back in week 1 in his first game with new Head Coach Jim Zorn. Interesting stat: when the Giants went into Washington last year, their season was on the line at 0-2. They opened that game trailing 17-0. Then things changed with a comeback victory late in the second half of that game. Since and including that moment, the Giants are 24-5 with a Super Bowl victory. PICK: GIANTS 23, REDSKINS 17.

FALCONS (7-4) @ CHARGERS (4-7): At the beginning of the season, if you told me that Atlanta would be 7-4 and San Diego would be 4-7, I would have called you crazy, but that is where these two teams are right now. The Chargers are in desperate straits. They are 4-7 and another loss away from making it even more difficult for them to catch the underacheiving Denver Broncos. LaDanlian Tomlinson has had a bad year, by his standards, rushing for only 770 yards all year. He will need to get going against the Falcons 24th ranked defense or else.

The Falcons have been a mircale story this year. Former Chargers' back-up running back Michael Tuner is the one turning heads. He has 1,088 yards this season, and has helped Atlanta become the second best rushing team in the league this year. With Turner, rookie quarterback Matt Ryan can take his time to learn the in's and out's of the NFL, without too much pressure on his shoulders. By the way, Atlanta has had two impressive road wins this year, at Green Bay, and a shutout at Oakland. PICK: FALCONS 27, CHARGERS 21.

BRONCOS (6-5) @ JETS (8-3): The Jets are rolling. Everyone in New Jersey this week is talking about Subway Super Bowl and two conference title games at Giants Stadium. But hold your horses folks, because the Jets still have five games to go. A letdown is always possible, especially when it involves the Jets.

Speaking of horses, the Broncos come in as the league's biggest conundrum. The Broncos have no identiy. They cannot run the ball as well as they did in year's past, and can't stop anybody. The only thing going for Denver is the rise of quarterback Jay Cutler and receiver Brandon Marshall. Still that may not be enough to save coach Mike Shanahan's job, who is long overdue to be fired. Since making the switch to Cutler, exactly two years ago in 2006, the Broncos are 14-18. Not good for a team with very high expectations every year. PICK: JETS 38, BRONCOS 21.

STEELERS (8-3) @ PATRIOTS (7-4): Speaking of gems this is it. This would have been the perfect Thanksgiving day game. When this game ends, we will learn alot about both of these teams, and where their future's lay. A win for Pittsburgh, and they begin to seperate themselves from the Baltimore Ravens in the North, and the Jets in the race for the two seed. A loss, and it could begin to spiral out of control for Pittsburgh. It has games against the Cowboys, Ravens, and Titans in the horizon, all of which could be losses. The key for the Steelers is the health of the offensive line and quarterback Ben Roethlisberger. Because of all the problems up front, Roethlisberger and running back Willie Parker have been banged up all year. This will be a tough order for them to get it together up in Foxboro.

The Patriots are hitting their stride. Matt Cassel is growing with confidence, and he can taste that $8 million check in March when he becomes a free agent. If Cassel takes the Pats to the playoffs, and looks good doing it, the Patriots will be in a tough position. They want to keep Cassel, but would invest too much money into one position, with Tom Brady all ready in the fold for 2009. The audition continues, and the Patriots return from the ash heaps does as well. PICK: PATRIOTS 34, STEELERS 24.