It's as much tradition as turkey and dressing, relatives and arguments, and sales circulars and Black Friday advertisements. It's football and Thanksgiving. When you think about it, truly a match made in heaven.

There is plenty to eat and  usually the feed stars in the middle of the afternoon and goes well into the evening. Football is a sport made for eating. Your constant attention is not necessary. There is down time for swallowing and chewing between plays. Most of the guys on the screen look fatter than you do.  Here's who is playing who in the NFL and College ranks today.

 

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    Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
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    1

    Philadelphia At Detroit 11:30 AM

    Detroit is not having a memorable year. Philadelphia is not having a memorable  year.  The Lions have won only three games and Philly has won just four. There will be better games played in the backyard later today.

    Why You'll Watch: Because it's football and your only other option might be a parade.  Also Eagles Coach Chip Kelly has ruffled more than a few feathers in the City of Brotherly Hate. Some pundits in the national media are even suggesting he might be returning to the college ranks after this season. Anybody know a college team that might be looking for a college coach that doesn't run a vanilla offense? The game will air locally on Fox.

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    Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
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    2

    Carolina At Dallas 3:30 PM

    Dallas will have Tony Romo back from injury and they usually play well when he is the quarterback. He also usually plays well on Thanksgiving Day. The Carolina Panthers have yet to lose this year. They are really playing well and their quarterback Cam Newton could be the league's MVP.

    Why You'll Watch: You hate the Cowboys and want to seem them lose. You hate Cam Newton and are tired of his Superman dance. You hate talking to friends and family and this gives you a reason to ignore everyone else in the room.  It should be a pretty good football game actually. If you really want to make it fun make Grandma take a sip of wine every time the TV cameras show Jerry Jones. She will be passed out by the end of the first quarter.  The game will be televised on CBS.

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    Streeter Lecka/Getty Images
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    3

    Chicago At Green Bay 7:30 PM

    This is old school NFL right here. Both teams have a tough Midwest tradition. Both franchises have been around as long as there has been an NFL. The fan bases of both teams don't like each other. There's also the fun aspect of playing at night in Wisconsin on the final Thursday of November.

    Why You'll Watch: You should be refreshed from your nap by the time kickoff occurs. You will probably be nursing a nice sugar buzz from another slice of pie too. The Packers should be the better team but here lately they haven't been showing that on the field. Last week they got their act together so this might be their night.  I personally like the crowd shots of all the well lubricated cheese heads trying to maintain consciousness after an all day drinking binge. I think it would be funny if someone Lambeau Leaped and got puked on. The game will be televised on NBC.

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    Cooper Neill/Getty Images
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    4

    Texas Tech At Texas 7:30 PM

    The NCAA is not about to miss out on sedentary audience that is so full their fingers can't manipulate the remote for the TV. This is the better of the two college games that will be televised tonight.  The Red Raiders from the armpit of America, Lubbock Texas, will visit the undisputed Capital of Weird, Austin Texas, for a showdown with the fancy cows.

    Why You'll Watch: I think this contest will be like watching a video game. I am not sure Texas Tech knows that on offense running the ball is even an option. They still love to sling the ball around the yard and they are pretty good at it. The once proud Longhorns are not so proud anymore. Their signature win was over Oklahoma this year but that was one game. The Texas coach is rumored to be on the short list for a job in South Florida. The Texas Tech coach just wants to live somewhere other than Lubbock but then again, who could blame either guy. This game will be televised on Fox Sports 1.

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    Cliff McBride/Getty Images
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    5

    South Florida At Central Florida 7:30 PM

    I can say with one hundred percent accuracy when these two teams get together, a lot of Spanish will be spoken in the crowd.  Another thing about this game, it proves that people don't understand directions in Florida. South Florida is in Tampa. Central Florida is in Orlando. These universities should be called West Central Florida and That College Close to Disney World. Okay, I can buy into the Central Florida description but South Florida is Miami, Naples, Key West, or Havana,  not Tampa.

    Why You'll Watch: You're from Florida? You have money riding on the game? You weren't aware that there was an NFL game on NBC? I can't think of a reason to watch this contest unless you have a personal tie to either of these schools. Maybe you know somebody who was in prison with one of the players in high school? Chances are you will see some decent college football played during this game. South Florida is actually pretty good and could wind up conference champion for what ever podunk conference they are in.  The game will be televised by ESPN.

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