DAVE HACKENBERG'S PICKS

11/25/2004

You usually have to wait until Christmas to see a jolly, portly guy dance a jig, but Blade pro football writer Dave Hackenberg is giddy over last weekend's 11-5 record against the point spreads. Surely, the NFL's thin Thanksgiving Day fare won't slow him down:

●Indianapolis at Detroit (+9): That's a lot of points to give the Lions at home sweet dome, especially if RB Kevin Jones has a decent day. But Peyton Manning vs. Joey Harrington isn't close to a fair fight. Pick: COLTS.

●Chicago (+3 1/2) at Dallas: Here's a real turkey, other than the Ohio State (Craig Krenzel) vs. Michigan (Drew Henson) angle. And we all know who has whose number in '04. Pick: BEARS.

Last week: 11-5. Season: 86-73.