NFL Week 12(a): Golden Bell

Going to squeeze in two holes at Augusta this week so that the math evens out and we end on the 18th hole for Week 17.

Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! And Thanksgiving means - NFL Football! Everyone makes a big deal about NFL Football on Thanksgiving, but usually that means the Lions lose early and the Cowboys win late. When is the last time we had some good, suspenseful Thanksgiving day games? The only one that comes to mind is the Leon Lett game - Dallas Miami, back in 1993. NFL Thanksgiving day games are tradition - but it's not like there are any recent memories from the games itself.

Well, I'll say it. Thanksgiving day NFL football is like the 12th hole at Augusta. It's a great hole - don't get me wrong - but it's resting on its reputation and we revere it because of "tradition". What tournament memories do we have from that hole? We have Couples' miraculous escape in 92. That's about it.

"Oh, but people hit it in the water and lose!!!" That's BS. Phil was not going to win the Masters last year. He's Phil. He's done. Rocco wasn't going to win in 3-4 years ago when he made a 10. And Norman, in 96, was 2 down when he dunked it in the water agaisnt Faldo.

There are no charges that start on the 12th. It's not really a birdie hole. It's a formal tradition - you aim for the fat part of the green, make par or bogey, and move on. If you are dumb enough to go for the flag, you are dumb and don't deserve to win.

Would I like to play it? Hell yes. But you never - never - see any highlights for the 12th hole on any CBS promos for the Masters (save for Couples' miracle). One highlight in 20-30 years.

(The 12th at Elks Run is the closest hole to Augusta - it's a 150 yard par 3, downhill, with water short and to the right. The green is large, however - and par is a good score. I hit my 8-9 iron, take 2 putts and leave, knowing that the meat of the course is ahead. Very much like Augusta).

The games tomorrow:

GB 27, Det 13. I'm not sure how Detroit will score with Culpepper.

Dal 31, Oak 10. God, the Raiders are bad. The Benglas gave them the game last week - and I was dancing for joy just watching that.

Den 24, NYG 23. I'm surprised at how consistently bad the Giants' D has been this year. This is a perfect time for the Broncos to snap out of their funk.

Best bets: (3 tomorrow: Last week: 7-5. Overall: 66-75-2).

GB/Det under 47

Dal -13.5

Den +6