And yet, sure enough, there the Detroit Lions will be on our TV screens Thursday afternoon in their traditional Thanksgiving Day role as somebody's dinner.

OK, that's not totally fair; the Lions actually won 6 of 7 of their Thanksgiving games before beginning their current run of six losses in seven years.

Considering they're 0-11 this year - on track for the first 0-16 season in recorded history - and they face the 10-1 Tennessee Titans this time, we can expect an extension of their pitiful fate.

But answer me this: why are the lowdown stinkin' Lions on our screens every Thanksgiving in the first place? Never mind answering. I looked it up.

The Lions have actually played every Thanksgiving Day since 1945, and before that from 1934 to 1938 before World War II interrupted. The Lions' owner G.A. Richards got a brainstorm to schedule on Thanksgiving in his team's first year in Detroit after it moved from Portsmouth, Ohio, of all places, and it stuck.

(The Cowboys have also played on all but a couple of Thanksgivings since '66, although never against the Lions.)

As noted, things have been lean lately for the Motor City Kitty Kats. But overall the Lions are 33-33-2, oddly enough, on their special day. And although there's growing media/blogger/wonk sentiment for the NFL to rip the attractive Thanksgiving date from the Lions' feeble grasp for gross negligence, don't look for that to happen.

William Clay Ford owns the Lions. Ford Motor Co. is a mighty NFL sponsor and, bailout willing, figures to remain so. Get it? No matter that the Lions have had just 11 winning seasons since 1970. Eleven! Nor that they're 1-9 in the postseason in that span, and winless in their last six playoff games since '91.

Face facts; the Lions are and will remain America's Thanksgiving Guests, information which in itself is enough to induce that familiar bloated feeling. And a nice long snooze.

And so, to the NFL's real teams:

Tom Robinson, 757-446-2518 or tom.robinson@pilotonline.com

NEW YORK Giants

(last week No. 1, record 10-1)

Another reason why the super-efficient Giants are Super Bowl-bound: Resourcefulness. No Brandon Jacobs or Plaxico Burress last week in Arizona. But Eli Manning still completes a season-high 78.8 percent, throws for 240 yards and 3 TDs, and Domenik Hixon (what the?) catches a career-high six balls and adds 201 return yards. Who're you going to stop?

This week at Washington.

NEW YORK Jets

(last week No. 7, record 8-3)

The smoke cleared in Nashville last week, all right; these Jets are really good. Brett Favre masterfully orchestrated a masterfully drawn game plan, and the Jets routed the formerly unbeaten Titans to make it five straight. Love this offensive line; Thomas Jones loves it too. He's run 83 times the last three weeks (349 yds.), most in the league.

This week home vs. Denver.

PITTSBURGH Steelers

(last week No. 3, record 8-3)

Something cool to watch for this week: the Steelers haven't allowed more than 290 net yards all season. Their opponent, the Patriots, have surpassed 500 yards the last two weeks. Steelers, with a one-game edge in AFC North, are counting more injuries as their unforgiving season continues; stiff tests against Dallas, Baltimore and Tennessee remain.

This week at New England.

TENNESSEE Titans

(last week No. 2, record 10-1)

Even when they lose, things break pretty well for the Titans. A short week brings them to winless Detroit, where they can get their game back after being schooled by the Jets. Potential trouble spot: Jets and Jaguars have shown how to run on Tennessee the last two weeks (332 combined rushing yards).

This week at Detroit, Thursday.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

(last week No. 5, record 8-3)

Terrible starters the last three games - 3 points total in the first quarter - but furious closers - 81-26 advantage from second quarter on. Tied in NFC South with Carolina, but an advantage blows the Bucs' way; three of their last five are at home, where they're unbeaten. Curing fumble-itis would help, too: 3 last week, 7 in last three weeks.

This week home vs. New Orleans.

ARIZONA Cardinals

(last week No. 6, record 8-3)

Your offensive MVP, fans: Kurt Warner. The old guy's passed for 300-plus five straight weeks, 9 TDs, 3 picks, 70 pct. completion rate in that time. Giants got the Cardinals, narrowly (37-29) but hey, Giants are just better. Telling stat behind Arizona's success: minus-7 turnover margin last year, plus-3 this year, among league's biggest swings.

This week at Philadelphia, Thursday.

NEW ENGLAND Patriots

(last week No. 8, record 7-4)

More shades of '07 emerge from resilient Pats - 48 points last week at Miami were their most in 18 regular-season games dating to last November (56 on Buffalo). And now, a Randy Moss awakening? His seventh career 3-TD game, and season-high 125 yards, led against the Dolphins.

This week home vs. Pittsburgh.

DALLAS Cowboys

(last week No. 9, record 7-4)

New England involves Moss more, Dallas involves Terrell Owens more - season-high catches (7) and yards (213) against San Francisco - and scores second-most points (35) this year. Funny how that works. They'll need more of that with brutal Steelers-Giants-Ravens run coming up in playoff push.

This week home vs. Seattle, Thursday.

CAROLINA Panthers

(last week No. 4, record 8-3)

Can't be comfortable being a Panthers' fan. Often, Carolina shows signs of a real contender; strong running team, tough to score on. Then it takes division lead on the road, where its game routinely falters, and gets waxed by Atlanta for 45 points - the most it's allowed since '01. Panthers have two more at home (Tampa, Denver) they better win.

This week at Green Bay.

INDIANAPOLIS Colts

(last week not ranked, record 7-4)

Colts haven't done much easily as they've scrapped back into wildcard contention, but they've done it. Four straight wins are by a total of 16 points. Actually, only 1 of 7 wins was by more than a TD (31-3 over Baltimore). Game-winning drive was Peyton Manning's fifth this season, 35th in his career. Appreciate him while he's here.

This week at Cleveland.

DROPPING OUT: No. 10 Washington Redskins (record 7-4): Sputtering offense is reaching the worrisome stage.