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I love Thanksgiving.
Stereotypical Thanksgivings involve the three F’s: Food, Family, & Football. I’m fortunate enough that my experience on this national holiday involves that beautiful tripod, but if I’m being honest I feel like Thanksgiving gets ripped off a bit.
There are literally hundreds of Christmas movies… how many Thanksgiving movies are there?! Name one! I dare you!
I know of an incredible Thanksgiving movie. It revolves around Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade and a wide-eyed boy named Charlie. The two galavant around New York City while Charlie’s mind is back at his prep school where he’s being charged with damaging the headmaster’s prized car (Spoiler Alert: Charlie merely witnessed the crime… but this movie is 24 years old so who’s fault is this really?).
After the NYC adventure the Lieutenant Colonel (played by Al Pacino) and Charlie return to his school for his hearing. Al Pacino gives one of the finest speeches in cinematic history (which you can watch here) where he discusses integrity, courage, and overall boldness. Charlie is acquitted and Lieutenant Colonel Frank Slade – upon initially hearing the news – lets out a “Hooah!” shortly before the crowd erupts. It is supremely epic.
This movie, particularly Al Pacino’s speech near the end, summarizes the 2016 Dallas Cowboys season up to this point – Thanksgiving. In the face of many doubts, with twists and turns at every point, an unforeseen set of circumstances before them, despite zero recognition from afar… they have prevailed.
The Washington Redskins represent the chance for our “Hooah!” moment. This is our opportunity, in front of the entire world, to put an end to the silly narratives people come up with every week. This is a division rival, and it’s the team that celebrated in our house during Week 17 last season as they marched towards the playoffs.
A win on Thanksgiving effectively eliminates the Redskins from NFC East title contention. Let’s give that speech. Let’s ruin their day. Let’s eat some turkey. Welcome to my 5 Bold Predictions. Hooah!
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Ezekiel Elliott Eats Everything On His Way To A Career Day
There is no bigger rivalry in the NFL than Cowboys and Redskins on Thanksgiving. This is a historic matchup, and when you throw in the fact that uniform-wise it’ll be Cowboys blues against Redskins whites this looks like something shot by the legendary Steve Sabol back in the day.
Rivalries are being ignited all across the football landscape this week. College football famously showcases games of this nature the weekend after Thanksgiving, games like Michigan versus The Ohio State.
Last year when the Buckeyes and Wolverines squared off (November 28th, 2015) Zeke carried the ball 30 times for 214 yards and 2 touchdowns for tOSU. We’re ten games into Elliott’s professional career and he has yet to break 200 yards; however, we’re talking about a player who’s celebration is literally eating playing on a day where gorging out is supremely glorified. Zeke is going to put the Skins to sleep like tryptophan with 200 yards.
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DeMarcus Lawrence Gets To Kirk Cousins Twice… Again
There wasn’t a whole lot to be proud of when it came to the Dallas Cowboys in 2015, but one thing we hung our hat on was a big win in Washington on Monday Night Football.
One of the instrumental pieces to that big victory was Cowboys Defensive End DeMarcus Lawrence. He gave Kirk Cousins a hug-that-goes-to-the-ground twice that night, and considering DLaw didn’t get to play when the Cowboys went to Washington in Week 2 due to his suspension… he’s been itching for another opportunity to sack ‘ol Kirky.
DeMarcus Lawrence strikes me as the type of fellow who eats his turkey and stuffing at the same time. He’ll be doing that during this game when he munches on Mr. Cousins.
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Redskins RB Robert Kelley Fumbles And AT&T Stadium Chants “Cowgirls” As He Trots To The Sideline
So here’s the thing about “trash talk.” I have zero qualms with it, in fact I totally respect a well-crafted joke. If you’re funny, you’re funny. I’m good with that.
Washington Redskins running back Robert Kelley was asked on Tuesday if he knew much about the historic rivalry that is Cowboys/Redskins. Kelley, fully conscious and of normal brain function, responded that they hated “those Cowgirls.” Yes, seriously.
Robert Kelley is a 24-year old man who plays professional football. He thought this was funny or clever or who knows what. The fact that Mr. Kelley thought that this was anything above a middle school-level insult is honestly shocking and makes me sad for the human race.
The most clever Washington Redskin there is, Robert Kelley, is going to fumble on Thanksgiving, and he’s going to learn even more about this rivalry when he trots back to the bench. You see long ago when former Redskins QB Joe Theismann threw an interception at Texas Stadium on his birthday, the Cowboys faithful greeted him with a gleeful rendition of “Happy Birthday” on his miserable trot to the sidelines.
Welcome to the rivalry, Robert.
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Both Jason Garrett And Jay Gruden Go For Crucial 4th Downs
The longest-tenured Head Coaches in the NFL’s most storied division will be standing on opposite sidelines when the toe meets the ball at AT&T Stadium this Thanksgiving.
Jason Garrett and Jay Gruden are not only the longest-tenured coaches in the NFC East, they’re the only two who have won the division before. Plus these are two guys that aren’t afraid to take a risk now and then.
We’ve seen both Garrett and Gruden attempt, and succeed, to convert critical 4th Downs when games have been on the line this season. This is unquestionably the biggest game of the season for both teams, and the Head Coaches are going to act like it. We’ll see them both get a little frisky before it’s all said and done.
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Ezekiel Elliott Hurdles Josh Norman
I realize that we already have a Bold Prediction centered around Zeke, but in the spirit of Thanksgiving/Zeke we’re serving seconds! Hooah!
Look, the worst game of Zeke’s short NFL career happened in Washington. He lost the ball twice and looked to have let the pressure of the game take over him. Zeke was even benched for former Redskin Alfred Morris who had to ice the game for the Cowboys.
Perhaps the lowest moment in that game for Zeke was when Josh Norman went Peanut Tillman on him and punched the football out for a fumble. Since then we’ve watched Zeke eat everything and destroy everyone… Norman is next.
Zeke is going to hit the open field, scan around, see Norman, and get airborne. It’ll be one of the rare moments of the game that brings us to our feet – we’re gonna be weighed down with turkey after all – and Norman will find a way to blame it on Robert Kelley.
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Bonus Bold Prediction #1
Remember, if you want YOUR Bold Prediction featured here, tweet it at me! It’s that simple! Here are this week’s contributions, thanks to all those who shared!
We have a bold prediction for @rjochoa this week! The winner of the Cowboys Thanksgiving game will win by at least 17 points. #DallasCowboys
— Upon Further Review (@UFRWMSC) November 21, 2016
Upon Further Review is hosted by my fellow Staff Writer Sean Martin, and he’s a smart cookie. The Cowboys have only won one game by this wide of a margin (Cleveland) and the Redskins have lost just as many (Pittsburgh). The final score when they squared off in Week 2 was 27-23… I like the optimism, it just doesn’t seem likely.
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Bonus Bold Prediction #2
https://twitter.com/iamericasteam/status/800572769062662144
This is a Disney movie that’s pretty far off from coming true at this point. We’re in a post-Romo world. This is “A.D.” time – After Dak.
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Bonus Bold Prediction #3
My bold prediction is that the vaunted Redskins D will limit Elliott to less than 200 yards rushing. #FEEDZEKE
— Dysfunctional Vet (@TyshawnHester1) November 21, 2016
This bold prediction directly contradicts mine, so someone here is going to be right! I’d hardly describe the Redskins Run Defense as vaunted considering they’ve given up the 11th most yards with only the 25th most carries against them. Eat Zeke, eat.
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Bonus Bold Prediction #4
@rjochoa bold predictions: Alfred Morris scores against the skins and zeke has a huge day that leads to player of game turkey day honors
— Chase Aguiar (@chaseaguiar) November 21, 2016
Chase is buying what we’re selling as far as Zeke having a big game, and I like the Alfred Morris call! As we mentioned earlier, The Butler did have a touchdown when he visited his former team with his new/better one. Revenge game!
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Bonus Bold Prediction #5
@rjochoa Kirk will go deep often vs DAL and you just know it's happening: 1st pick for Byron onthanksgiving vs Redskins. ✭ #BOLDPrediction
— Mauricio Rodríguez (@MauNFL) November 21, 2016
I love this, and it pains me that I love it.
We’ve called for Byron Jones’ first career interception week after week. I want it. I need it. MAKE IT A THANKSGIVING MIRACLE!
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Bonus Bold Prediction #6
https://twitter.com/DonnyKf5stk/status/801156767933726720
Donny and I usually park our cars in the same garage when it comes to these Bold Predictions, and sure enough we are in sync again.
Zeke is getting 200. Book it.
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Bonus Bold Prediction #7
@rjochoa my prediction Jeff Heath will have a int..
Morris will have a TD— Denz92 (@DennzDC4L) November 23, 2016
Jeff Heath is the greatest football player in the history of the universe. He had two interceptions when the Cowboys traveled to Tampa Bay last season. If mere mortals can have one, Heath will of course do it. Additionally, the Alfred TD is obviously a popular opinion this week. It’s also happening.
Have a Happy Thanksgiving one and all, Hooah to you and yours! Go Cowboys!
[signoff author=”rjochoa” source=”rjoshow”]
What are YOUR Bold Predictions for this Thanksgiving’s Cowboys/Redskins game? Let us know! Comment below, Email me at RJ.Ochoa@SlantSports.com, or Tweet to me at @RJOchoa!
Hope too much watch as much football we give thanks for everything do we have give thanks to the military men and women your families would give up everything to keep us safe God bless them you say you still on your way everybody keep the special children from st. Jude’s Hospital enter prayers pray to help keep them safe want to go home song all the kids around the world the stuff for 2 Happy Thanksgiving and holidays to everyone keep it safe God bless now it’s time for football tomorrow
Absolutely man. The holidays that we celebrate wouldn’t be possible without the sacrifice of the men and women in our armed forces. They have to be away from family and friends on these days. Thank you to them.