The NFL's Thursday night football game is not going away anytime soon. The league makes a lot of money from this game and that's the only important reason why it's here to stay.
As much as I love watching football, and the Thursday game provides an extra 3 hours of football viewing each week, it should be tossed into the Professional Sports Graveyard right next to the shorts the White Sox wore back in 1976 and the NCAA's decision to ban dunking from 1967 to 1976.
It is usually a poorly played game. The players are almost always coming off of a Sunday game that their bodies have not yet fully recovered from and the coaches are expected to develop and implement a full game plan in 72 hours. That is a recipe for a bad football game and that is usually what the viewing public is treated to on Thursday night.
Take tonight's game for instance. The Steelers and Ravens are one of the best rivalries in the current NFL and almost always play a tough and physical game that is enjoyable to watch. On the short week however, and with the Steelers having to play Michael Vick at quarterback with Ben Roethlisberger injured and the Ravens trying to recover from an unlikely 0-3 start with just a few days to prepare and travel, I expect a dud.
I am also torn on who to pick. I love the Steelers getting points at home in a rivalry game and on the short week, even with Vick at quarterback. I also do not think the Ravens will start 0-4. It's a tough call.
As always, the pick is against the spread and the home team is in CAPS.
STEELERS (+3) over Ravens
Last Week: 10-6
Season: 22-25-1
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