We have hit the Thanksgiving holiday already, and this post will be a big, long extravaganza. We'll delve into Josh McDaniels status, Tim Tebow's debut, and how to deal with the remainder to this clunker of a Broncos season. Let's start with Josh McDaniels situation in Denver. I'm on record saying that I think McDaniels should get another year in Denver. I believe that you need to give him at least a third season to turn this team around. If the Broncos continue to lose and get blown out a lot their last six games, then I can understand if Pat Bowlen makes a move. If the Broncos do change coaches, then who would they pick? Here is my list of who would be the right candidates and who I would select:
5) John Fox: Fox will probably leave Carolina after this year, and with a good organization around him, he could be a very successful head coach. For the most part, he has won in Carolina, and he certainly could turn the Broncos defense around.
4) Unexpected Head Coach Who Got Fired Unexpectedly: A great example of this would be if someone like Tony Sparano got fired. He would definitely be a guy who could run my franchise. He is a solid coach and could get things going in a hurry in Denver just like he did in Miami.
3) John Harbaugh: He will be a hot coaching candidate from the college ranks. You have to be impressed by the job he did at Stanford. He has NFL coaching experience, and seems to be a real rising star who could adapt to the pro game.
2) Bill Cowher: He is arguably a Hall of Fame coach. He brings instant credibility and a no nonsense approach. He also knows defense, and he could definitely turn around the Broncos defensive flaws.
1) Jon Gruden: To me he is the best choice. He comes with a lot of credibility. He is a star, and he is the flashy name that the Broncos could use. He has coached in the AFC West already, and he loved Tim Tebow and worked with him when Tebow was getting ready for the Draft. Gruden would be my choice in Denver is McDaniels get canned.

With Denver at 3-7, their season is basically over and Broncos fans are stuck watching meaningless games for the next seven weeks. Here is a survival guide to watching the Broncos play out the string.........

1) You still must watch all the games. There are only six games left, and you still need to watch and support your team. The pressure is off, so don't get too upset if they play badly. Just have some beers and try to enjoy the remainder of their games.
2) The debut of Tim Tebow as a starter. This is the main reason to watch their remaining games. I'm thinking that he starts the December 26th game at home vs. Houston. If he starts any earlier, then that would be great, but look for that game.
3) Pick a team to win the AFC West and root against the others. My pick: San Diego. Why not? I wouldn't mind seeing SD steal the West and send the Raiders and Chiefs packing after promising starts for both.
4) Hope the Broncos can play spoiler. We have had our seasons burned by teams playing out the string, so maybe the Broncos can do the same to someone else.
5) Pick a few teams to root for and a few teams to root against and watch it all play out. I'm going to be rooting for New England, Pittsburgh, and Indy to play well and make the playoffs in the AFC. In the NFC, I'm rooting for the Giants, Packers, and Falcons, I am openly rooting against the Jets and Ravens in the AFC and the Bucs, Saints, and Bears in the NFC.

So there you go that is your survival guide to the rest of the NFL season.
Let's get to the picks for Week 12............



Last Week's Record: 6-9-1

Overall Record: 89-67-6

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)



New England (-5) over DETROIT: The Pats will find a way to get the job done on a short week on Thanskgiving. The game will be closer then expected, and the Lions will play well, but the Pats get to 9-2.



New Orleans (-3) over DALLAS: The Cowboys have won two in a row. The Saints come in at 7-3. I think that the Saints will win this game, but it will be tough for awhile. New Orleans wins 24-19.



NY JETS (-7) over Cincy: The Bengals have mailed it in. That loss last week to Buffalo was mindboggling and ridiculous. The Jets are winning all these close games and might be the luckiest team in the league. They are due for a blowout and this Thanksgiving night they get it.



Minnesota (+2) over WASHINGTON: The Brad Childress Era is over in Minnesota, and the Vikings might actually show up this week. The Redskins are an enigma, and you can't trust them. I'll bet that the Vikings show up and win on the road.



Pittsburgh (-5) over BUFFALO: Everyone is going to take the Bills because they have played so hard each week. The Steelers come in off of a big win, and they will bury the Bills in Buffalo this week.



HOUSTON (-5) over Tennessee: I can't believe how the season has turned on the Titans. At 5-5, they are turning to Rusty Smith this week. The Texans are a joke defensively, and Gary Kubiak is a disaster as a head coach, but I'll take the Texans this week only based on the fact that the Titans are such a mess right now.



NY GIANTS (-6) over Jacksonville: The Jags are coming in at 6-4 and firmly in the wild card hunt. The G-Men have lost two in a row and are all banged up on offense. These moments are when the Giants respond, and they will this week.



CLEVELAND (-9) over Carolina: The Browns are a good 3-7 team. They will take out their frustrations at home this week over the Panthers.



Tampa Bay (+8) over BALTIMORE: I'm finally going to take the Bucs, which means that they will probably screw me and get blown out in Baltimore. Let's see what happens, but I have a feeling this game will be close.



Philly (-2) over CHICAGO: This a big game for two 7-3 teams. The Bears defense is playing great, but can they stop Michael Vick? We'll find out, but I'm taking the Eagles because of Vick and their defense is going to capitalize on Jay Cutler's turnovers.



Green Bay (+3) over ATLANTA: Great matchup of two NFC contenders. Everyone will take the Falcons because they are at home, but I wouldn't be surprised if the Packers pull off the upset in the Dome. This game could go either way. I'll take the Packers in a thriller.

Miami (+3) over OAKLAND: A lot of people jumped on the Raiders bandwagon last week, but everyone forgot that Jason Campbell is the Raiders QB. Don't count out the Dolphins just yet.

SEATTLE (+2) over Kansas City: The Chiefs know the Chargers are coming and there is nothing they can do about it. They will stumble this week at Seattle. The Seahawks get to 6-5.

INDY (-3) over San Diego: The Chargers are making their run, but this is a tough game for them. Peyton Manning gets it done at home in a really fun matchup.

ARIZONA (+1) over San Francisco: What a disappoint the 49ers have been this year. The Cards get it done at home.

St.Louis (+4) over DENVER: The Broncos season is over, and the Rams will present problems for them. The Broncos will move the ball, but so will the Rams. I expect Sam Bradford to have a big day, and look for the Rams to put this game away late in the fourth.

Final Score: St.Louis-27 Denver-20.