Black Friday football watch guide, plus Green Bay’s stunner
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Good morning! I hope you’re still full from yesterday ... and the kitchen is clean.
While You Were Stuffing: The Packers explode
We had some fun football yesterday, though. Quickly:
Black Friday Watch Guide: Five games to watch today
Football continues its reign over our weekend. Find a spot on the couch and watch these games today, family outings be damned. All times Eastern:
Need more? See the full college football slate here .
Pulse Court: Deviled eggs on notice?
Today brings the fiery takes. We are still full from yesterday, focused on finishing the weekend strong. The worst parts of Thanksgiving, according to Pulse staffers:
Melting marshmallows on top of sweet potatoes is gross. I don’t want anything to do with it. Seems like an accident people just went along with. Also: White meat absolutists deserve scrutiny. You don’t like dark meat? You don’t like the thing that is better? What are we doing here?
: Big Sean’s Detroit Lions
halftime performances
and Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State. (Reminder from yesterday: I also called it the best part.)
: Deviled eggs — the smell, taste, and effects to one’s gastrointestinal system. All of it.
: Last-minute grocery runs. If you didn’t remember to get it before the line wrapped around the store, you just don’t need it.
Me? I am once again saying the turkey haters are the worst part of Thanksgiving. I wrote similar things last year. For a while now, it’s been fashionable to decry turkey and substitute another meat as your meal’s star. Which, fine, go for it. But if your turkey is bad, try harder to cook it. Smoke it. Deep fry it . Buy a meat thermometer and roast it well so it doesn’t dry it. Spatchcocking works great too. Just don’t say “turkey dry, turkey bad” to me please.
I’m off to make a turkey sandwich.
The Holiday Good Bets: A stressful Big Game bet
Nothing like a 3-1 weekend to boost my confidence heading into a holiday slate. Time for leftovers and wins:
Wincing as I type this. Before last weekend, I would’ve taken the Wolverines in a rout. But they looked bad against a meh Maryland team, and maybe this sign-stealing scandal is wearing on them. Plus, Austin Mock included this in his
best bets for this weekend
, so I can’t shoulder the full blame here. Did I mention
this is a big game?
A massive total, but — homerism aside — the Tigers have the best offense in football. They’ve hit the over in 10 of their 11 games, which is an easy outcome when your offense is otherworldly and your defense is subpar. Expect something like 45-27 here.
Read more: Expert picks | Full projection model
Once again fading Denver, especially against arguably the NFL’s best defense. This might be ugly, but I think Cleveland wins outright on the road.
Chicago’s offense is better with Justin Fields back, but not terribly. Minnesota has a good defense, while Josh Dobbs might be regressing a bit. I expect punts.
Read more: Best bets | Expert picks
Pulse record overall: 23-23-2
Pulse Picks
All hail the Butt Fumble . We are all thankful for the iconic gaffe. Well, except for the .
Dianna Russini gives us the latest out of her notebook , including a note about Mike Vrabel’s future in Tennessee.
More Thanksgiving weekend coverage: There’s a new Madden cruiser roaming the streets. Vic Tafur has more .
For yesterday’s winners, was a welcome prize. I thought this was a fun read on what past Thanksgiving day winners remember of their postgame feast.
Jim Bowden has a good read on the 23 things he’s thankful for this holiday season. I agree with all of them.
Mike Conley found out he was traded to Minnesota while playing “Call of Duty.” He and his family were heartbroken. Now, he’s “Minnesota Mike.”
:
The Bounce The Windup Full Time Prime Tire Until Saturday
(Photo: Leigh Bacho/)
