Kap & Mina's Sunday Afternoon Tailgate: Week 13 (Thanksgiving Edition!)

Happy Turkey Day, everyone! It's Kap's favorite holiday, made sweeter this year by the fact that the Eagles will be playing their arch-rivals, the Dallas Cowboys. That may be exciting enough to fight off the tryptophan slumber. We aren't giving away any recipes today (sorry, folks!), but we will share photos of our Thanksgiving tables, and in typical Thanksgiving fashion, we'll each share one thing we are thankful for this year.

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Kap

One thing, eh? I'm thankful that the more things change, the more they stay the same. Most times, that's cited as a bad thing, a sign of apathetic homeostasis, but this year, it has been a good omen.

Mina

Honestly, I'm thankful for this really amazing pie-crust-sleeve that my mother got for me, so that now the pies have lovely gold brown crusts, not black ones! But in all serious, I am thankful for the love and generosity of my family and friends.  This year is gonna be a good one for me, and for Kap, and I know for the blog, so stay tuned!

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EAGLES PREDICTION

Win! -- Regular season games don't get any bigger than this one. Both teams are a little banged up. Both are after the top spot in the NFC East and a first-round playoff bye. And, as always, the blood is bad between them. I expect a close game, but Dallas will wind up being the turkeys this year.


MY RECORD -- 8-3

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PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

Well, it's Thanksgiving Day, which means it's also time for the first playoff prediction of the season here at The Tailgate. We'll see how things continue to progress as we begin our countdown to the Super Bowl.

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What do we know?

Well, so far, one thing seems clear: Kap and Mina's preseason predictions weren't worth much. Kap had the Broncos meeting the 49ers in the Super Bowl. It's still possible, but San Fran does not look like the contender it was last year. Mina, on the other hand, saw the defending champs, the Seahawks, meeting Tom Brady and co. in the big game. Again, it could still happen (and it's slightly more probable than Kap's pick), but Seattle is mired down in the NFC. More than likely we'll see a correct AFC prediction one way or the other: Broncos or Pats. But in the NFC, expect to see someone from off the radar: the Packers, the Cardinals, perhaps even the Eagles. Hey, that's why they play all 17 weeks, right?

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AFC

Broncos -- Whether they get first seed or lose it to the Pats, it's a pretty safe bet that Peyton Manning's team will be in the playoffs again this year.


Patriots -- See "Broncos" (only sub out Peyton for Tom Brady).


Colts -- With Andrew Luck at the Helm, the Colts have made themselves into a perennial playoff contender. They're a lock, as well.


Steelers -- There are three teams in the AFC North all fighting for (most likely) two positions. Right now, Cincinnati is in the lead, but they seem most likely to be the odd man out as the season comes down to its bitter end. I'm giving the divisional edge to the Steelers.


Chiefs -- The Chiefs are a lot like the Colts. They are good, year in and year out. If they didn't play in the same division as Denver, they'd probably earn a bye. As it stands, they have to watch out for San Diego creeping up on them, and hope to do some damage as a Wild Card.


Ravens -- Again, one of the AFC North teams will probably take a Wild Card. I'm giving the edge to the Ravens here, but Cincinnati has proven resilient.



In the Hunt: Bengals, Chargers, Dolphins, Browns

NFC

Packers -- The Cardinals have the best record, but right now, the Pack look like the team to beat in the NFC. They are in for sure.


Cardinals -- The biggest surprise of the year has been how good the Cards are playing under Bruce Arians. I keep waiting for someone to exploit them, and it hasn't happened yet. They have a tough schedule ahead with some hungry teams left in their division, but it would be a big surprise if they didn't make the playoffs.


Eagles -- It's going to come down to the Eagles and the Cowboys, just like it always does. I'm giving the Birds, the edge (how could I not), and I wouldn't be surprised to see the other team take a Wild Card slot.


Saints -- It's a shame that a team from this division has to go to the playoffs. No one is really deserving. It'll most likely come down to the Saints and the Falcons. Right now, it looks like the Saints is the more talented, more complete team. So give them the nod.


Lions -- Detroit may wind up being the best team to settle for a Wild Card slot. They will finish with a great record, but I don't think they can match up with Aaron Rodgers and the Pack. We'll see.


Cowboys -- If they lose the NFC East to the Eagles, Dallas will get a Wild Card--assuming they hold off last year's Super Bowl champs, the Seahawks. With Russell Wilson and the Legion of Boom, it's not a done deal.



In the Hunt: Seahawks, 49ers

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Have a safe and happy Thanksgiving wherever you are!

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