The 2-Minute Warning Week 11: Turkeys , stuffing and Feasting on Football

By Ivette Ricco
November 21, 2006

There is something very comforting about Thanksgiving's traditions, the turkey, the stuffing, the pies, grandma, grandpa, and all those cousins and relatives you hardly know.

And then there's football which is now a part of the Thanksgiving tradition adding a virtual cornucopia of gridiron action to our feasting tradition.

According to historical sources, the Pilgrims never held an autumnal Thanksgiving feast. The Pilgrims did have a feast in 1621 near Plymouth , Massachusetts , after their first harvest. This is the feast people often refer to as "The First Thanksgiving." This feast was never repeated, so it can't be called the start of a tradition, nor did the colonists or Pilgrims call it a Thanksgiving Feast. In fact, to these devoutly religious people, a day of thanksgiving was a day of prayer and fasting.

But that was then and this is now. Feasting is something we do extremely well in the USA , and when you thrown in a generous helping of America 's most popular sport, football, in large portions, well, then you've really got the best of all worlds.

Week 11 in the NFL set up turkey day and the three games being played on Thursday perfectly. One would almost think that Thanksgiving was created by and for the NFL and will soon be a part of the NFL Network.

I hazard to guess that there are a lot of pissed off NFL fans asking why the NFL Network is being allowed to televise a game and they can't watch it.

That's right if you don't have a Dish or access the NFL Network you are out of luck for the showdown between the Chiefs and the Broncos.

Week 11 Action:

The BIG Upset

Cowboys 21 Colts 14
Yes indeed the Colts lost their first game of the season at the hands of the "Boys"
It was bound to happen, and it was no surprise to me. The Cowboys are starting to peak and could be making my preseason prediction, the Broncos vs. the Cowboys in the Super Bowl, a valid pick.
The Cowboys defense is starting to play like a Tuna coached D and exposed some of the Colts problem areas. The Cowboys made Manning look ordinary (which he's not) and the pressure forced Manning to throw two interceptions.

The Others

Chargers 35 Broncos 27
The Chargers have really moved to the head of the class. Philip Rivers has quieted all the naysayers and LaDainian Tomlinson could be the best running back in the league. These Bolts could be the best team in the AFC right now.

Ravens 24 Falcons 10
The other team in the AFC worth watching are the Ravens. Their defense is always great and now that Brian Billick is calling the offense Steve McNair appears very comfortable running this team. The Falcons are regressing and there is talk about Jim Mora being on the hot seat.

Bengals 31 Saints 16
This was a Must Win for the Bengals, and it was. The Bengals season was on the line after three losses in a row. On the other side Drew Brees threw for an outrageous 510 yards in a losing effort. The Saints need to get back on track and soon, as the Panthers close the gap in the division.

SF Forty Niners 20 Seahawks 14
Is it possible? The 49ers might actually make a run for the playoffs? Holy s---!
The fans at Candlestick (I among them) could barely believe our eyes. This team has made a defensive turn-around that no one saw coming. This could get very interesting! Frank Gore is on fire and the offensive line is playing very well. Stay tuned!

Panthers 15 Rams 0
The Panthers are back. The Rams on the other hand have gone backwards.

Patriots 35 Packers 0
You just knew the Patriots would take out their frustrations on somebody, and that somebody was the Packers.
Brett had to leave the game with an elbow injury and Aaron Rodgers took his place. The bad news got worse, Rodgers is out for the season and although Brett says he's fine and will go next week, well, this can't be good news for the cheeseheads.

Bears 10 Jets 0
The Bears tough defense had its way with Pennington and the Jets.
Rex Grossman was ok, but nothing to write home about. But when you have the type of D the Bears have you can afford to play mediocre offense.

Titans 31 Eagles 13
Oh boy Eagles fans, here you go again. Donovan McNabb left in the second quarter with a torn knee ligament. The playoffs may be out of reach for the Iggles, yet again.

Bucs 20 Redskins 17
The Redskins benched Mark Brunell replacing him with Jason Campbell in his first NFL start. The results, the same, another loss. The heat is on in DC and Gibbs might be looking for shelter back at the race track.

Bills 24 Texans 21
J.P. Losman had a breakout game against the Texans. His development is critical to the future of the Bills.

Miami 24 Vikings 20
Two teams with high hopes for 2006 met on Sunday and the Dolphins left with a victory and hope for the future. Jason Taylor has led the defense and Joey Harrington has managed the offense. After the fourth consecutive loss the Vikings high hopes have been dashed.

Chiefs 17 Raiders 13
I watched as the Raiders led the Chiefs and wondered if they could possibly find a way to lose this one. They did. It's painful to watch Art Shell in the post game press conference. He sighs and put his head down and seems unable to figure out what is wrong. If this continues I predict that Art Shell will resign at the end of the season, because Al Davis will not pull the trigger this time.

Cardinals 17 Lions 10
If the Raiders are looking for a new coach they need not look any further than Arizona where Denny Green's Cardinals are struggling mightily. Matt Leinart got his first pro win and there's talent there, but something isn't working.

Steelers 24 Browns 20
The Steelers are playing for pride and not much else. Big Ben still hasn't looked the same he threw three first-half interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. He was pounded throughout the game, yet kept getting back up for more and wound up throwing for two touchdowns.

Jags 26 Giants 10
The G-Men and especially Eli Manning haven't looked like the same team. Of course they have had substantial injuries but that doesn't account for Manning's bad throws and Plaxico Burress's missed catches. Jeremey Shockey wasn't too happy either as was evident. The Jags defense made the G-Men look ordinary, at best.

Femmefan Fearless Picks
Week 11 Record 13-3

Season Record

91-69

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