GREEN BAY PACKERS at DETROIT LIONS (FOX, 12:30 PM ET): These two NFC North rivals will meet on Thanksgiving for the 19th time. The Lions, who will host their 70th Thanksgiving Day Classic, have an 11-6-1 record on the holiday against the Packers. Green Bay is coming off a 30-24 win over San Francisco, led by QB Aaron Rodgers’ 344 yards passing and two touchdowns. The Lions pulled off a stunning comeback victory over Cleveland as QB Matthew Stafford passed for 422 yards – the most ever by a rookie – and five touchdowns – tied for the most in NFL history by a rookie (Ray Buivid, 1937, Chicago Bears).

OAKLAND RAIDERS at DALLAS COWBOYS (CBS, 4:15 PM ET): The Cowboys will host their first Thanksgiving Day game at Cowboys Stadium when the team welcomes the Oakland Raiders to town. Dallas, who defeated Washington last week, has a 26-14-1 record on the holiday and QB Tony Romo has a perfect 3-0 mark on Thanksgiving. The Raiders will make their sixth appearance on the holiday and first since 1970 when the team played at Detroit. Last week, Oakland scored 10 points in the final 33 seconds to defeat Cincinnati, only the second time in club history the Raiders have scored two times in the final minute of the fourth quarter for a comeback win (November 17, 1968 vs. NY Jets, the “Heidi Game”).

NEW YORK GIANTS at DENVER BRONCOS (NFLN, 8:20 PM ET): Denver will host a Thanksgiving game for the first time since 1963 when the Broncos face the Giants in a primetime battle of two 6-4 clubs. New York will make its first appearance on the holiday since 1992 and 15th overall dating back to the Giants’ 17-0 win over the Brooklyn Lions in 1926. New York is coming off a 34-31 overtime win over Atlanta, highlighted by QB Eli Manning’s career-high 384 passing yards. The Broncos, who will play their 11th Thanksgiving Day game, will look to rebound from a 32-3 loss to San Diego.

Source: NFL Media

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Thanksgiving Day NFL Games

Cowboys Stadium / Image: Zuma Press

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Record Crowd Sees Giants Beat Cowboys

Plaxico Burress / Photo: Newscom

Source: NFL Media

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL Statement on Plaxico Burress

Eli Manning, N.Y. Giants / Image: Zuma Press

First of all, no NFL player is worth that kind of money. But if I had to give it to someone, I wouldn’t give it to Eli Manning. I don’t think he’s the NFL’s best player (assuming the best player should make the most money). Sure, he led the Giants to a Super Bowl win two seasons ago (and he was that game’s MVP), but he needs to do that a couple times to get this kind of money. And he hasn’t. And probably won’t again. I’m not knocking the guy’s talent. He helped the Giants to the playoffs all four years he’s been in New York (somehow) and he’s coming off his first Pro Bowl season. And he is a franchise QB and one of the game’s best (ok, top five) at his position. But, if I’m handing out $97 million over six years, I’m giving it to Tom Brady.

Source: NFL.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Eli Manning is NFL’s Highest Paid Player

Giants GM Jerry Reese made the following statement announcing the decision:

“I am an optimist, and I believe most situations can be worked out. We hung in there as long as we could in hopes that there could be a resolution to this situation other than the decision we made today to release Plaxico. It wasn’t to be, so now we have to move on. Like everybody else here, we want nothing but the best for Plaxico, and we are appreciative of the contributions he made to this franchise.”

While Plaxico could be (and has proven to be) one of the better receivers in the National Football League, his off the field behavior and unwillingness to cooperate with team rules over the years has rendered him unemployed. Certainly, a talent like Plaxico’s is coveted by every NFL team, but when you factor in his legal problems and poor attitude, he’s certainly no longer a hot commodity. I mean, he’s currently facing a felony weapons charge that could put him in prison for over three years if he’s convicted. His case was adjourned this past week while his attorneys and prosecutors worked on a possible plea agreement. And he’s not due back in court until June 15. So, I can see why the Giants didn’t want this hanging over their heads this offseason. It was, as Mr. Reese said, time to move on. And that’s just what the team is doing.

Source: Giants.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Giants Release Plaxico Burress

The opponents for all 2009 regular-season games have been determined and a complete list of each team’s home and away matchups was issued yesterday by the NFL. The scheduling formula implemented in 2002 with realignment guarantees that all teams play each other on a regular, rotating basis. Under the formula, every team within a division plays 16 games as follows:

• Home and away against its three division opponents (6 games)
• The four teams from another division within its conference on a rotating three-year cycle (4 games)
• The four teams from a division in the other conference on a rotating four-year cycle (4 games)
• Two intraconference games based on the prior year’s standings (2 games). These games match a first-place team against the first-place teams in the two same-conference divisions the team is not scheduled to play that season. The second-place, third-place, and fourth-place teams in a conference are matched in the same way each year.

The official 2009 schedule, with playing dates and times, will be announced in the spring. NFL Kickoff 2009 Weekend will begin on Thursday night, September 10, and the regular season will conclude on January 3. Wild Card Weekend will be Saturday and Sunday, January 9-10; Divisional Playoff games on the weekend of January 16-17; and the AFC and NFC Championship Games on Sunday, January 24. Super Bowl XLIV at Dolphin Stadium in South Florida will be played on Sunday, February 7.

AFC EAST

Miami Dolphins
Home: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Pittsburgh Steelers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away: Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers

New England Patriots
Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Baltimore Ravens, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

N.Y. Jets
Home: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Cincinnati Bengals, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers
Away: Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Oakland Raiders, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Buffalo Bills
Home: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Cleveland Browns, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Away: Miami Dolphins, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers

AFC NORTH

Pittsburgh Steelers
Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Tennessee Titans, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Miami Dolphins, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions

Baltimore Ravens
Home: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Indianapolis Colts, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
Away: Cincinnati Bengals, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings

Cincinnati Bengals
Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Houston Texans, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, New York Jets, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings

Cleveland Browns
Home: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings
Away: Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions

AFC SOUTH

Tennessee Titans
Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, San Diego Chargers, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams
Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks

Indianapolis Colts
Home: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Denver Broncos, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks
Away: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams

Houston Texans
Home: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Oakland Raiders, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks
Away: Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams

Jacksonville Jaguars
Home: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins, Kansas City Chiefs, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams
Away: Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, New England Patriots, New York Jets, Cleveland Browns, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks

AFC WEST

San Diego Chargers
Home: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Miami Dolphins, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants

Denver Broncos
Home: Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, New England Patriots, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
Away: Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins

Oakland Raiders
Home: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, New York Jets, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins
Away: Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Houston Texans, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants

Kansas City Chiefs
Home: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers, Buffalo Bills, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants
Away: Denver Broncos, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins

NFC EAST

N.Y. Giants
Home: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers
Away: Dallas Cowboys, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs

Philadelphia Eagles
Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, San Francisco 49ers, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs
Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Chicago Bears, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers

Dallas Cowboys
Home: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Seattle Seahawks, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers
Away: New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Green Bay Packers, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs

Washington Redskins
Home: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, St. Louis Rams, Denver Broncos, Kansas City Chiefs
Away: Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Detroit Lions, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers

NFC NORTH

Minnesota Vikings
Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Carolina Panthers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers

Chicago Bears
Home: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Philadelphia Eagles, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Away: Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Atlanta Falcons, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals

Green Bay Packers
Home: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Dallas Cowboys, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals
Away: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers

Detroit Lions
Home: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Washington Redskins, Cleveland Browns, Pittsburgh Steelers
Away: Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, New Orleans Saints, Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati Bengals

NFC SOUTH

Carolina Panthers
Home: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Minnesota Vikings, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
Away: Atlanta Falcons, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals, New England Patriots, New York Jets

Atlanta Falcons
Home: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Chicago Bears, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins
Away: Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, New England Patriots, New York Jets

Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Green Bay Packers, New England Patriots, New York Jets
Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins

New Orleans Saints
Home: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Detroit Lions, New England Patriots, New York Jets
Away: Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Philadelphia Eagles, Washington Redskins, St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills, Miami Dolphins

NFC WEST

Arizona Cardinals
Home: St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
Away: St. Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, New York Giants, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans

San Francisco 49ers
Home: Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
Away: Arizona Cardinals, St. Louis Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Philadelphia Eagles, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts

Seattle Seahawks
Home: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans
Away: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, St. Louis Rams, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Dallas Cowboys, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts

St. Louis Rams
Home: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints, Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts
Away: Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Washington Redskins, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

NFL 2009 Opponents Determined

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

How many professional sports leagues can pinpoint the exact spot, the exact day, even the exact time they “arrived?” The National Football League can: Yankee Stadium, December 28, 1958, 4:51 PM. Fifty years ago this December 28 — the final day of the 2008 NFL regular season — what would become known as “The Greatest Game Ever Played” took place — the 1958 NFL Championship Game between the Baltimore Colts and New York Giants at Yankee Stadium in New York City. And when Colts fullback Alan Ameche burst through a hole for a one-yard touchdown with 6:45 left in overtime — at 4:51 on a foggy, drizzly day — he took the National Football League with him into a new era. The NFL would never be the same. America had discovered it.

It may be hard for today’s young sports fan to believe, but 50 years ago, the sports scene — and the NFL — was vastly different. There was no SportsCenter, no internet (and therefore no EMQB), no sports-talk radio, no fantasy football. The “X-Games” didn’t exist because, for most Americans, there were no “alternative” games. Baseball was the No. 1 sport with fans. Then came this late-winter nationally televised NFL epic between larger-than-life teams featuring picturesque names like “Huff” and “Katcavage” and “Unitas” in a game that surged back and forth into the first sudden-death overtime in NFL title game history.

Here’s a heads-up for you. You can watch this game — digitally restored and colorized by ESPN Films in association with NFL Films — on ESPN next weekend — Saturday, December 13 at 9 p.m. ET. I’m not so sure it was the greatest NFL game ever played, but it was probably the most important.

Source: NFL Media

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

‘The Greatest Game Ever Played’ Remembered Fifty Years Later

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

We already know that N.Y. Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce was with Plaxico Burress when Plax accidentally shot himself in the leg at a New York City nightclub last week. But what exactly was his involvement? That’s what police are trying to find out in an ongoing investigation.

I wonder where Antonio was while it took Plaxico roughly 90 minutes to get treatment. Obviously a cover-up was the plan because Antonio eventually drove Plaxico to the hospital after it was finally decided where “discreet” treatment could be obtained. And the doctor (Dr. Josyann Abisaab) that finally treated Plaxico is expected to be called-in for questioning next week because neither Dr. Abisaab nor Antonio called the police to report the shooting. Antonio’s attorney, Michael Bachner, said Antonio “had no idea Plaxico had a weapon.” That most certainly could have been the case beforehand but it still doesn’t excuse the failure to do the right thing after the fact — which was report the incident to police. So, yes, it appears Antonio Pierce will suffer some sort of punishment because of his teammate’s stupidity. And his own apparent loyalty to that teammate.

Source: NFL.com, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Antonio Pierce Involved in Shooting?

N.Y. Giants receiver Plaxico Burress was suspended for the rest of the 2008 season today. The Giants fined and suspended Plaxico four games for conduct detrimental to the team for multiple and repeated violations of club rules. He was placed on the non-football injury list, officially ending his season. Plaxico accidentally shot himself in the right thigh over the weekend at a Manhattan nightclub. He was arrested and released on $100,000 bail yesterday. Giants president John Mara said:

“As we have said since Saturday morning, our concern is for Plaxico’s health and well-being. This is an important time for him to take care of his body and heal up and also deal with the very serious legal consequences and other issues in his life. When I spoke with Plaxico he expressed great remorse for letting down his teammates.”

This is undoubtedly the right move. Plaxico had become too much of a distraction and with the dark cloud hanging over him after this most recent incident, I don’t really think the Giants had any other logical choice. With the childish behavior of Plaxico Burress out of the way, the Giants can hopefully get back to doing what they do best without the additional interference.

Source: Giants.com

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Plaxico Burress Suspended

National Football League Blogcast, NFL Blogcast

N.Y. Giants receiver Plaxico Burress was taken to court in handcuffs, then posted $100,000 bail on weapons possession charges today after accidentally shooting himself in the leg at a nightclub last week. He was charged with two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, which could result in a sentence of at least 3.5 years in prison. As Plaxico awaits his next court date March 31, the Giants aren’t sure what action they will take against him. The NFL said it was monitoring developments. And NYC Mayor Michael Bloomberg said it would be an outrage “if we didn’t prosecute to the fullest extent of the law.”

Here’s what actually happened on Friday evening. Police said Plaxico and Giants linebacker Antonio Pierce arrived at the Latin Quarter nightclub in Manhattan with three other people around 11:30 p.m. I have no idea who the three other people were but they apparently weren’t members of the N.Y. Giants. Plaxico had been allowed to bypass security (even though they knew he was armed they wanted to be cool with the pro athlete) according to a law enforcement official who spoke on condition of anonymity. Around 12:05 a.m., as Plaxico was being escorted to a VIP area (ooh sounds so exciting) with a drink in one hand, he somehow ended up fumbling his gun and it discharged, hitting his thigh. Antonio was with him when that occurred, police said. Plaxico then spent about 90 minutes looking for a hospital that would treat him discreetly. He even used a different name — Harris Smith. He ended up at New York-Cornell, where he gave the phony name and said the incident had occurred at an Applebee’s. It was about this same time when he realized it was probably a bad idea to take a gun into a New York City nightclub.

I know some NFL players have licensed guns for protection at their homes, but few are stupid enough to stick one in their pants and take it to a nightclub. What was he planning to do with it? Giants running back Brandon Jacobs said he spoke with Plaxico on the phone after yesterday’s win over the Redskins and they actually laughed about the situation:

“I called him and made a few jokes about the situation and his laugh is what I wanted to hear. If he didn’t laugh I knew he was going to be down, which he shouldn’t be down. It’s a mistake that happened, something that shouldn’t have happened and that’s that.”

Well, that’s very sweet, but that’s not that. This is more than a mistake. Plaxico is looking at three and a half years in jail. There’s nothing funny about it. I know a fair amount of NFL players that think they’re invincible, but one look at Michael Vick should clear up that misconception. My feeling is that Plaxico Burress is headed for a similar fate.

Sources: NFL.com, New York Post, Photo: Newscom

Post from: Every Morning Quarterback

Plaxico Burress Posts $100K Bail