If you're a traditionalist, you'd like to see the Detroit Lions tangle with a familiar opponent on Thanksgiving Day -- the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, or even the Minnesota Vikings.
However, that won't be the case on Turkey Day 2012, as the Lions will welcome the up-and-coming Houston Texans to Ford Field in Detroit.
Sure, we're all used to kicking back after filling our stomachs and watching the Lions play the Packers or Bears. But this year isn't the first Detroit will host a non-NFC-North team. In recent years, the New England Patriots and Miami Dolphins have made the trek to the Motor City for the Thanksgiving Classic, a tradition near-and-dear to hardcore National Football League fans' hearts. It's been a staple of the game since 1920.
Perhaps I'm getting older, or maybe I'm just comfortable with the same old thing. I'm a traditionalist. But this year, I welcome the change. I wasn't a big fan of Lions-Dolphins, and especially not one of the Lions-Patriots duel. But Detroit-Houston showcases two teams on the rise, both of which have a legitimate shot at making the playoffs.
I'm interested in the player matchups. Of course, Detroit's Matthew Stafford is one of the best young quarterbacks in the NFL. Houston's Matt Schaub -- who is recovering from a foot injury -- isn't exactly a no-namer, either. Even the Texans' TJ Yates showed glimpses of great play in 2011.
The Johnson vs. Johnson wide receiver pairing is one to watch also. Detroit's Calvin "MegaTron" Johnson and Houston's Andre Johnson are two of the league's elite. However, Andre Johnson is aging, and Calvin Johnson is entering the prime of his career.
Houston has the obvious advantage at running back with Arian Foster carrying the load. But, if the Lions can get Mikel Leshoure and Jahvid Best healthy, they'll have a force to combat Foster.
It's far too early to really dissect the game. Who knows what will happen between now and then? Leshoure and Best could remain injured, and Schaub could, luck forbid, run into more problems with his post-surgery foot, forcing Yates to yet again take the reins.
Here's what is plain to see: Both teams were 10-6 a year ago and are probably looking to prove that 2011 wasn't a flash in the pan. I believe the Lions are on the right track, and the Texans were arguably the most exciting team to watch in the middle of the 2011 season, winners of seven straight.
So before you turn your nose at this year's Thanksgiving Day Game, think about it for a second. The comfortable Lions-Packers duel would be great. So would the Lions-Bears, which happens Mon., Oct. 22 in Chicago.
But Detroit-Houston, albeit unconventional, intrigues me. The more I think about it; the more I eagerly anticipate it.
Adam Biggers has followed the National Football League for over 20 years, specifically the Detroit Lions and NFC-North. He can be found on Twitter @AdamBiggers81.
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