Premium ContentClick on Premium Content on the Featured navigation bar for information.
A brief look at Thursday's NFL games, with predictions by World-Herald NFL editor John Rodino.
* * *
Packers (6-4) at Lions (2-8)
• When: 11:30 a.m.
• TV: KPTM
• Line: Packers by 9
• Key stat: The Packers held the Lions to 149 total yards in a 26-0 win on Oct. 18.
• Lowdown: Season-ending knee injuries to cornerback Al Harris and linebacker Aaron Kampman came on Sunday just as Green Bay thrust itself into the NFC wild card picture. Even though Green Bay toyed with Detroit in mid-October, the Lions have been known to make things tough on holiday guests — and the Packers have been there for some weird games. Look for the Lions to start quarterback Daunte Culpepper if Matthew Stafford (separated left shoulder) can't go.
• Prediction: Packers 27-14
Raiders (3-7) at Cowboys (7-3)
• When: 3:15 p.m.
• TV: KMTV
• Line: Cowboys by 14
• Key stat: Dallas' only other regular-season win with seven points or fewer was in 1970.
• Lowdown: Change-of-pace quarterback Bruce Gradkowski completed 50 percent of his passes (two for scores), and the Raiders made the most of the 21-plus minutes they had the ball in upsetting the Bengals on Sunday. That's more than one can say for the Cowboys' offense, which has been almost non-existent the past two weeks. Dallas barely escaped the Redskins 7-6 in a game in which QB Tony Romo hurt his back. He's expected to play today.
• Prediction: Cowboys 31-13
Giants (6-4) at Broncos (6-4)
• When: 7:20 p.m.
• TV: NFL Network
• Line: Giants by 6
• Key stat: New York has no one in the top 20 in sacks.
• Lowdown: A month ago, these teams looked like division title locks. Since then, things have fallen apart — especially for Denver, which has lost four straight. Quarterback Kyle Orton (ankle) had to pitch relief for rusty backup Chris Simms in last week's debacle with the Chargers. Nine penalties reflected the Broncos' frustration. The Giants got back on the right track, sort of, by edging the Falcons in overtime after squandering a 14-point lead.
• Prediction: Broncos 23-20
--Compiled by John Rodino
Copyright ©2012 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.
