Thanksgiving night treat for Giants fans

The Denver Broncos have lost four in a row and blown their division lead. The Giants know all about such slumps.

New York broke its four-game slide, which cost it the NFC East lead, by beating Atlanta last Sunday. It took overtime to do it, but after dropping from 5-0 to 5-4, nobody in the Meadowlands was complaining about the extra work.

That victory, plus Denver spiraling from 6-0 to 6-4 and falling a game behind San Diego in the AFC West, has the oddsmakers leaning toward the Giants, who are 5-point favorites for the Thanksgiving night game.

Denver’s defense has sprung leaks and might be wearing down a bit. It’s undersized, and the Giants are among the NFL’s more physical teams.

But the Giants also will be short-handed in the backfield with backup Ahmad Bradshaw(notes) (ankle) sidelined. New York would like to pound the ball with Brandon Jacobs(notes), yet not wear him out in the Mile High air.

Both teams have been vulnerable against the pass recently, too. So who would you rather have throwing, a healthy if inconsistent Eli Manning(notes), a hobbled Kyle Orton(notes) or a rusty Chris Simms(notes)?

Thought so.

GIANTS, 24-20.

Green Bay (minus 11) at Detroit, Thursday

Both teams would have been banged-up in a regular week. On short rest, go with the contender.

PACKERS, 30-10

Oakland (plus 14) at Dallas, Thursday

Oakland can play decent defense. Dallas can’t get its offense on track, making it close.

COWBOYS, 16-10

New England (plus 3) at New Orleans, Monday night

The Patriots’ second chance in three weeks to knock off an unbeaten. And maybe the last strong chance for the Saints to lose.

UPSET SPECIAL: PATRIOTS, 27-24

Indianapolis (minus 3) at Houston

History says avoid the Texans when they play Peyton and the Colts.

COLTS, 21-16

Chicago (plus 9 1/2 ) at Minnesota

Recent history says avoid Jay Cutler(notes) and the Bears at all costs.

BEST BET: VIKINGS, 30-14

Cleveland (plus 14) at Cincinnati

The Battle of Ohio won’t be much of a skirmish as Bengals straighten out.

BENGALS, 28-7

Washington (plus 9) at Philadelphia

Redskins soon might not have any usual offensive starters left in the lineup.

EAGLES, 20-7

Miami (minus 3) at Buffalo

Dolphins continue their rise, Bills keep on falling.

DOLPHINS, 20-13

Arizona (no line) at Tennessee

Assuming Kurt Warner(notes) will play, Cardinals remain perfect on road, despite Titans’ revival.

CARDINALS, 24-20

Seattle (minus 2 1/2 ) at St. Louis

Seahawks are awful on road. Steven Jackson will run wild even without QB Marc Bulger(notes).

RAMS, 17-10

Tampa Bay (plus 11) at Atlanta

Has a rookie coach ever fired both coordinators the way Raheem Morris has?

FALCONS, 31-13

Carolina (plus 3) at N.Y. Jets

What’s happened to the Jets is a crying shame, isn’t it Rex?

PANTHERS, 20-17

Jacksonville (plus 3) at San Francisco

Jack Del Rio has done terrific job with surging Jags.

JAGUARS, 19-17

Kansas City (plus 13 1/2 ) at San Diego

Chiefs have won three of last five. Make that three of six.

CHARGERS, 35-13

Pittsburgh (no line) at Baltimore

Steelers’ most important players, Troy Polamalu(notes) and Ben Roethlisberger(notes), are dinged. Time for some resilience.

STEELERS, 13-10

RECORD:

Versus spread, 8-6 (75-76-2 season); Straight up, 13-3 (109-41 season)

Best Bet: 5-6

Upset Special: 8-3