Thanksgiving is the perfect holiday as it combines the best America can offer. Four straight days of overindulgence — overeating, drinking, savoring football of all kinds and placing wagers. At VSIN, we are having our Betsgiving contest to get into the Thanksgiving spirit. Often, the games aren’t great, but does it matter when there is action involved? We crave more football the way we crave more pie as the day becomes night. Yesterday, all three games were good, and each one helped us learn more about the playoff races.
Buffalo at Detroit
The Lombardi Line took Buffalo laying the nine points and lost, which started Thanksgiving on the wrong foot. Both the Bills and Josh Allen didn’t look explosive, which we counted on occurring as part of our handicap. Allen was still able to run the ball effectively, leading the team in rushing, but his arm wasn’t consistently strong. The offense never found a rhythm. The Bills certainly didn’t look like a Super Bowl contender.
Let’s be honest. For all the love Dan Campbell receives on the television broadcast from his former teammates for being a great coach, his game management cost Detroit a win. Campbell may be a tough guy, but he isn’t a strategist, and he lacks situational awareness. Campbell’s third-and-15 play call from Detroit’s own 3-yard-line resulted in a safety. His game mismanagement at the end of the first half allowed the Bills to steal another three points, ultimately the difference in the game. And his clock management left enough time at the end of the game for the Bills to travel 48 yards in four plays and kick the game-winning field goal.