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NFL Nation
Thanksgiving is a time for household … and soccer. So we’re utilizing our newest NFL Energy Rankings to have a look at the vacation synonymous with the game. Forward of the three games on Thursday (Packers at Lions, Chiefs at Cowboys and Bengals at Ravens), we requested our NFL Nation reporters to look again at every staff’s historical past on the vacation. Thirty-one groups have no less than one look on Thanksgiving — sorry Jaguars followers, higher luck subsequent 12 months.
What matchups stand out for the Cowboys and Lions, who’re staples on Thanksgiving each season? Which well-known gamers — or one-hit wonders — obtained a chew out of a turkey leg as their recreation’s MVP? And what different quirky recollections are there from the vacation contests?
Let’s get into it with the No. 1 staff, which did not change from last week’s rankings. Our energy panel of greater than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities evaluated how NFL groups stack up in opposition to each other, rating them from 1 to 32.
Soar to a staff:
ARI | ATL | BAL | BUF | CAR | CHI | CIN
CLE | DAL | DEN | DET | GB | HOU | IND
JAX | KC | LAC | LAR | LV | MIA | MIN
NE | NO | NYG | NYJ | PHI | PIT | SF
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH
Week 12 consequence: Beat the Buccaneers 34-7
Week 12 rating: 1
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Beating the Lions in 1975
The Rams have performed solely 4 instances on Thanksgiving, the final coming in 1975. In that recreation, large receiver Harold Jackson caught 5 passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Los Angeles’ protection saved the Lions scoreless in a 20-0 victory, and the win pushed the Rams to 9-2. They completed 12-2 that season earlier than shedding to the Cowboys within the NFC Championship Sport. — Sarah Barshop
Week 12 consequence: Beat the Bengals 26-20
Week 12 rating: 3
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Linebacker Tedy Bruschi’s landing in 2002
Bruschi returned an interception 27 yards for a landing — with teammate and present Patriots coach Mike Vrabel crossing the objective line with him in celebration — because the Patriots recorded their first win on the vacation. The landing secured a 20-12 choice over the host Lions. The Patriots wore their purple “Pat Patriot” throwbacks in that recreation — simply as they might in 2010 once they returned to Detroit and long-haired Tom Brady threw 4 landing passes in a blowout win. — Mike Reiss
Week 12 consequence: Bye
Week 12 rating: 5
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Operating again Ron Dayne awarded the turkey leg in 2005
Dayne performed in solely 10 video games for the Broncos, all within the 2005 season. However his longest run and 20.4% of his dashing yards got here on his solely carry of time beyond regulation in opposition to the Cowboys. The 55-yard rush down the left sideline on second-and-3 arrange Jason Elam’s 24-yard kick that gave the Broncos a 24-21 win. Dayne completed with 98 dashing yards on seven carries. It’s the excessive level for the Broncos on Thanksgiving, as they’re 4-7 on the vacation and have not performed one since 2009. — Jeff Legwold
Week 12 consequence: Misplaced to the Cowboys 24-21
Week 12 rating: 2
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: The “Bounty Bowl” in 1989
Rumors swirled heading into the sport at Texas Stadium that coach Buddy Ryan had put a $200 bounty on former Eagles kicker Luis Zendejas, who had some crucial phrases aimed toward Ryan after leaving the staff. That gave the impression to be confirmed when Eagles linebacker Jessie Small decked Zendejas on a kickoff, leaving the kicker shaken and angered. The sport helped gasoline one of many fiercest rivalries in all of soccer for many years. “I attempted to speak to Buddy, however he would not keep on the sector. He took his huge, fats rear find yourself the tunnel to the locker room,” rookie Cowboys coach Jimmy Johnson stated on the time, to which Ryan replied, “I have been on a eating regimen and misplaced a couple of kilos. I assumed I used to be trying good and [Johnson] goes and calls me fats. I resent that.” — Tim McManus
Week 12 consequence: Beat the Titans 30-24
Week 12 rating: 7
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: 19-3 win over the 49ers in 2014
Thanksgiving dinner may need by no means tasted higher for the Seahawks and their followers than on this night time in Santa Clara. On the top of their NFC West rivalry, Seattle held San Francisco to a discipline objective, prompting 49ers proprietor Jed York to tweet an apology to his staff’s followers for the “unacceptable” efficiency. Seattle cornerback Richard Sherman picked off nemesis quarterback Colin Kaepernick twice and beat his school coach, Jim Harbaugh, whom he’d clashed with at Stanford. If that wasn’t satisfying sufficient for the star cornerback, he and quarterback Russell Wilson then chomped on turkey legs at midfield of the brand-new Levi’s Stadium. — Brady Henderson
Week 12 consequence: Misplaced to the Chiefs 23-20 (OT)
Week 12 rating: 4
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Quarterback Peyton Manning ties Thanksgiving TD report in 2004
The Colts waited 40 seasons to return to a Thanksgiving recreation, and so they made it a memorable expertise. Manning tied Dolphins nice Bob Griese with six touchdowns passes within the 41-9 victory over Detroit. It was fairly a feat when considered within the context of his general efficiency: He had simply 23 completions within the recreation, that means roughly 25% of his completions resulted in a rating. — Stephen Holder
Week 12 consequence: Beat the Vikings 23-6
Week 12 rating: 11
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Upsetting the Lions in 2023
With an apology to historical past — the 1962 recreation in opposition to the Lions may be probably the most vital despite the fact that it was the Packers’ solely loss in a championship season — recency bias offers the nod to this recreation. The Packers have been 8.5-point underdogs but pulled off a 29-22 win. The Packers opened the sport with a 53-yard go from Jordan Love to Christian Watson, and the victory helped flip round Love’s first season because the starter. It was a part of a closing stretch during which the Packers went 6-2 to make the playoffs after beginning 3-6. — Rob Demovsky
Week 12 consequence: Beat the Giants 34-27 (OT)
Week 12 rating: 8
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Lions prime Bears 23-20 in 2024
After three straight Thanksgiving losses as coach of the Lions, Dan Campbell lastly ended the staff’s seven-year vacation drought final season. With the win, the 11-1 Lions additionally obtained off to their finest begin in franchise historical past. For quarterback Jared Goff, it was a “bucket record” second, as he loved a turkey leg following 221 passing yards and two landing passes. Goff was joined by teammates David Montgomery, Jahmyr Gibbs, Amon-Ra St. Brown, DJ Reader and Al-Quadin Muhammad in nice spirits. — Eric Woodyard
Week 12 consequence: Beat the Panthers 20-9
Week 12 rating: 9
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: 49ers trounce the Cowboys in 1972
There are a couple of to select from right here, however the Niners throttling one in all their fiercest rivals 31-10 ranks on the prime. The Cowboys have been the defending Tremendous Bowl champions, whereas the Niners have been nonetheless discovering their manner with a younger quarterback named Steve Spurrier changing an injured John Brodie. Spurrier was environment friendly in Dallas, however linebacker Skip Vanderbundt stole the present. He returned a fumble 73 yards for a landing within the second quarter and capped the sport with a 21-yard pick-six. — Nick Wagoner
Week 12 consequence: Misplaced to the Texans 23-19
Week 12 rating: 6
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Quarterback Josh Allen‘s breakout recreation in 2019
The Payments’ 26-15 win over the Cowboys is commonly thought-about the sport that launched the nation to Allen. It was the staff’s first Thanksgiving look since 1994. Allen went 19-of-24 for 231 yards and one passing landing; he rushed for 43 yards and one landing on 10 carries. The staff’s success led to Thanksgiving appearances once more in 2021 and 2022. There have been different good performances on the vacation, together with OJ Simpson’s report efficiency in 1976, however nothing was greater than cementing Allen’s place because the franchise QB the Payments have been lengthy trying to find. — Alaina Getzenberg
Week 12 consequence: Beat the Steelers 31-28
Week 12 rating: 12
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Operating again Walter Payton’s offensive explosion in 1977
The Corridor of Famer racked up 244 yards from scrimmage (20 rushes for 137 yards; 4 catches for 107 yards) and two touchdowns on the Silverdome. The Bears turned the ball over 5 instances, however they pulled off a 31-14 win due to Payton’s dominance. As soon as he hauled in a 75-yard landing go from quarterback Bob Avellini within the third quarter, the Bears did not lose the lead once more. — Courtney Cronin
Week 12 consequence: Beat the Colts 23-20 (OT)
Week 12 rating: 13
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Operating again Marcus Allen passes Walter Payton in 1996
The Chiefs do not have many fond recollections on Thanksgiving, however Allen handed fellow Corridor of Famer Walter Payton on the all-time dashing touchdowns record in Detroit. Allen recorded his 111th rating on a 1-yard dive into the top zone within the first quarter. His efficiency, together with 73 dashing yards and two touchdowns, helped the Chiefs rally for a 28-24 comeback victory over the Lions. The win was sweeter for the Chiefs after their vacation loss a 12 months earlier to the Cowboys. — Nate Taylor
Week 12 consequence: Bye
Week 12 rating: 14
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Beating the Broncos in 1967
The San Diego Chargers went into the fourth quarter down 10 factors to the Broncos, who have been one of many AFL’s worst groups that season. Defensive again Speedy Duncan sparked the comeback with a blocked discipline objective that he returned 72 yards for a landing. Later within the fourth quarter, operating again Dickie Submit scored an 8-yard dashing landing to safe the Chargers’ 24-20 win. The staff has performed in simply 5 Thanksgiving video games, with just one recreation since this 1967 win. — Kris Rhim
Week 12 consequence: Beat the Cardinals 27-24 (OT)
Week 12 rating: 17
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: None, however possibly subsequent 12 months?
There was some thought that this streak might finish in 2024 as a result of the Jaguars have been taking part in in Detroit and it appeared like a pure match. Jacksonville was coming off back-to-back successful seasons for the primary time since 2004-05. Their 2021 No. 1 decide, Trevor Lawrence, was a recognizable determine, and the staff was led by a Tremendous Bowl-winning coach in Doug Pederson. Nevertheless, the NFL put that matchup in Week 11, a clever choice that saved the nationwide viewers a collective bout of indigestion. The Lions gained 52-6, marking the worst loss in Jaguars historical past. The streak buster might occur in 2026, when the Jaguars are scheduled to play in Dallas. — Mike DiRocco
Week 12 consequence: Misplaced to the Rams 34-7
Week 12 rating: 10
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Getting the stuffing crushed out of them in 2006
For almost 14 minutes, it was a fairly good Thanksgiving for the Bucs. Then they obtained their giblets handed to them. Mike Alstott’s 1-yard landing run late within the first quarter put the Bucs forward 7-0, however the Cowboys obtained 5 landing passes from Tony Romo — two to Terry Glenn and two to Marion Barber II — and gained 38-10. Romo, who nonetheless holds a Cowboys Thanksgiving Day report for TD passes, threw for 306 yards. That was 95 extra yards than the whole Bucs offense had that day. — DiRocco
Week 12 consequence: Beat the Payments 23-19
Week 12 rating: 19
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Houston advantages from former Lions coach Jim Schwartz’s blunder in 2012
Schwartz threw a problem flag within the third quarter when Houston operating again Justin Forsett scored an 81-yard landing run after two Lions seemingly tackled him. Replays confirmed Forsett’s left knee and elbow hit the turf, and an computerized overview most probably would have reversed the consequence. However in keeping with NFL guidelines, throwing the problem flag on a scoring play negates the overview. So in consequence, the landing stood and minimize the Lions’ 10-point result in three. Houston gained 34-31 in time beyond regulation. — DJ Bien-Aime
Week 12 consequence: Beat the Jets 23-10
Week 12 rating: 15
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: The sideline sidestep between Jacoby Jones and Mike Tomlin in 2013
The Ravens play on Thanksgiving this week for the primary time since they beat the Steelers 22-20 by overcoming one of the vital controversial performs in league historical past. With the Ravens main 13-7 within the third quarter, Jones was operating again a kickoff when he was slowed down by Tomlin, who stood in a restricted space that separates the sideline from the taking part in discipline, along with his again turned to the motion and his proper foot squarely within the discipline of play. Jones, who was 38 yards from the top zone, was tackled from behind. Tomlin was later fined $100,000 by the NFL. “It is simply a kind of unlucky moments of life,” Tomlin said five years ago. “I used to be watching the jumbotron and misplaced monitor of the place I used to be. Such is life.” — Jamison Hensley
Week 12 consequence: Misplaced to the Bears 31-28
Week 12 rating: 16
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: The Jerome Bettis-Phil Luckett coin flip flub in 1998
It is comprehensible if interested by Thanksgiving recollections makes Steelers followers flinch. Not solely did Tomlin incur the six-figure high quality for interfering with Jones’ would-be kickoff return landing in 2013, however the Steelers additionally had a memorable lowlight 15 years earlier in Detroit. Bettis stated he known as tails on the time beyond regulation coin toss, however referee Luckett stated he heard heads. The coin landed on tails. Arguing ensued, and audio replays recommend Bettis shortly stated “head-tails.” Regardless, the Lions obtained the ball first and kicked a discipline objective to win the sport. — Brooke Pryor
Week 12 consequence: Beat the Eagles 24-21
Week 12 rating: 21
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Backup quarterback Clint Longley leads Cowboys to win over Washington in 1974
The “finest reminiscence” guidelines out Randy Moss’ dominant displaying in 1998 and Leon Lett’s ill-timed trek within the ice in 1993. This alternative got here right down to backup quarterbacks, Longley and Jason Garrett. In 1994, Garrett outdueled Brett Favre to beat the Packers, however Longley’s comeback vs. Washington got here out of nowhere. With Roger Staubach knocked out within the third quarter, the Cowboys trailed 23-17 with lower than 30 seconds to play when Longley, often known as the “Mad Bomber,” hit Drew Pearson for a 50-yard landing to defeat their rivals. — Todd Archer
Week 12 consequence: Misplaced to the 49ers 20-9
Week 12 rating: 18
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: The Panthers enhance to 11-0 in 2015
This was one other storybook second for the Panthers throughout their 15-1 season in 2015. Of their first and solely Thanksgiving recreation, the Panthers beat the Cowboys 33-14. Solely it wasn’t due to eventual NFL MVP Cam Newton that the staff stayed undefeated. This was due to a protection led by Luke Kuechly and Kurt Coleman, who returned interceptions for touchdowns. The unit additionally knocked Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo out of the sport with a collarbone damage. — David Newton
Week 12 consequence: Misplaced to the Packers 23-6
Week 12 rating: 20
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Broad receiver Randy Moss scores three touchdowns in 1998
The thought of a “revenge recreation” has grown cliché, however Moss — a rookie on the time — really wished to punish the Cowboys. Seven months earlier, a predraft assembly with proprietor Jerry Jones led Moss to consider the Cowboys would choose him with the No. 8 decide. As an alternative, the Cowboys took defensive finish Greg Ellis and Moss fell to the Vikings at No. 21. Moss caught solely three passes on this recreation, however all three went for touchdowns: Two from 56 yards and one from 51. Talking later to NFL.com, Moss recalled Vikings receivers coach Hubbard Alexander exhorting him to relaxation on the sideline between sequence. Moss: “I stated, ‘Man, I am not going to wish no relaxation at this time. It is the Dallas Cowboys, and it is Thanksgiving.'” — Kevin Seifert
Week 12 consequence: Bye
Week 12 rating: 22
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Cowboys defensive deal with Leon Lett presents the Dolphins a Thanksgiving miracle in 1993
A snow recreation in Dallas — what? The Dolphins and Cowboys performed throughout an ice storm, in what was shaping as much as be a loss for Miami when Pete Stoyanovich’s 40-yard discipline objective was blocked with 15 seconds left. However Lett — sure, that Leon Lett — by accident kicked the ball whereas making an attempt to get better it. Miami recovered possession, and Stoyanovich nailed a 19-yard discipline objective to win the sport. The Dolphins may’ve used up all their remaining karma for the season; they misplaced the following 5 video games and missed the playoffs. — Marcel Louis-Jacques
Week 12 consequence: Beat the Saints 24-10
Week 12 rating: 26
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Their lone win in 2005
The Falcons have gained simply as soon as on Thanksgiving in 4 video games, and this 12 months is the twentieth anniversary of that victory. Led by operating again Warrick Dunn, who’s now a Falcons minority proprietor, Atlanta defeated the Lions 27-7. Dunn had 116 dashing yards on simply 17 carries; tight finish Alge Crumpler had seven catches for 104 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Michael Vick was 12-of-22 passing for 146 yards with two touchdowns and an interception. The Falcons’ protection had 5 sacks, whereas cornerbacks DeAngelo Corridor and Jason Webster each had interceptions. — Marc Raimondi
Week 12 consequence: Bye
Week 12 rating: 25
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: The RG III recreation in 2012
Rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III had arguably his finest day in a magical season in opposition to the Cowboys in a 38-31 win. He accomplished 19 of 27 passes for 304 yards and 4 touchdowns — with one decide — versus the NFL’s sixth-rated go protection getting into the sport. Fellow rookie Alfred Morris ran for 113 yards and a landing, however the day was all about Griffin, who was raised in Texas and performed close by at Baylor. “Once you return, you need to placed on a present,” he later told ESPN. It was Washington’s second win of a seven-game successful streak to finish the common season. — John Keim
Week 12 consequence: Misplaced to the Patriots 26-20
Week 12 rating: 23
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Their solely look in 2010
The Bengals are one in all 4 groups with only one Thanksgiving recreation of their franchise historical past. That recreation on the Jets, a 26-10 loss, was stuffed with notable gamers, together with some eventual Corridor of Famers (Terrell Owens, LaDainian Tomlinson, Darrelle Revis and Jason Taylor). A enjoyable reality: Nick Folk was the Jets’ kicker in that recreation. People, 41, is once more their kicker. — Ben Child
Week 12 consequence: Misplaced to the Cardinals 27-24 (OT)
Week 12 rating: 24
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Final win on the vacation in 1948
The Cardinals have misplaced their seven Thanksgiving appearances since 1948, with their most up-to-date coming of their Tremendous Bowl run in the course of the 2008 season. Earlier than that, nevertheless, they final performed on Thanksgiving in 1985 — that is as soon as in 40 years. In 1948, the Cardinals have been nearly unstoppable behind Corridor of Famer Charley Trippi. Their solely loss that season got here within the NFL Championship Sport, stopping them from claiming back-to-back titles. — Josh Weinfuss
Week 12 consequence: Misplaced to the Lions 34-27 (OT)
Week 12 rating: 28
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Linebacker Lawrence Taylor’s interception in 1982
It was Thanksgiving Day in Detroit when Taylor gained the sport for the Giants with a 97-yard interception returned for a landing. Giants coach Invoice Parcells wasn’t even certain Taylor would play within the recreation. He had harm his knee the week earlier than, so Parcells did not begin him and did not even put him in till the second quarter. That call was rewarded with an interception of Gary Danielson within the fourth quarter to interrupt a 6-6 tie. — Jordan Raanan
Week 12 consequence: Beat the Raiders 24-10
Week 12 rating: 29
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: Virtually outlasting the Lions and operating again Barry Sanders
The Browns are 0-3 on Thanksgiving within the Tremendous Bowl period and have not performed on the vacation since 1989. The final time that occurred, they misplaced to the Lions 13-10 as Sanders ran for 145 yards amid an Offensive Rookie of the Yr season. It was a blip in what ended up being a deep playoff run to the AFC Championship Sport, the place the Browns misplaced to the Broncos. — Daniel Oyefusi
Week 12 consequence: Misplaced to the Falcons 24-10
Week 12 rating: 27
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: “The Stiff-Arm” at Atlanta in 2019
Issues all the time get a little bit bizarre when the Saints and Falcons play, and the Thanksgiving version of their rivalry was no completely different. With the Saints main 20-9 within the third quarter, Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan was intercepted by 300-pound defensive deal with Shy Tuttle, who shoved Ryan to the bottom with a stiff-arm that went viral. Ryan was sacked 9 instances (together with 4 sacks by Cameron Jordan), Taysom Hill blocked a punt, and the Saints secured their third straight NFC South title in a 26-18 win. — Katherine Terrell
Week 12 consequence: Misplaced to the Ravens 23-10
Week 12 rating: 30
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: The “Butt Fumble” in 2012
This was the all-time blooper. After an aborted handoff, quarterback Mark Sanchez tucked the ball, tried to run up the center and slammed into the rear finish of guard Brandon Moore. The impression of the collision prompted Sanchez to cough up the ball, which bounced proper to security Steve Gregory, who returned it for a landing. That was the second of three touchdowns in a 52-second span for the Patriots. The Jets misplaced 49-19, however nobody remembers that. The play, which can stay in infamy, symbolizes a misplaced period for the Jets. — Wealthy Cimini
Week 12 consequence: Misplaced to the Browns 24-10
Week 12 rating: 31
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: OT win over Dallas in 2021
There have not been many memorable moments for the Raiders since they moved to Las Vegas from Oakland in 2020. Nevertheless, in 2021, quarterback Derek Carr led the Raiders to a 36-33 time beyond regulation win in Dallas. He threw for 373 yards and a landing, and kicker Daniel Carlson transformed the successful discipline objective, which was arrange by a defensive go interference. — Ryan McFadden
Week 12 consequence: Misplaced to the Seahawks 30-24
Week 12 rating: 32
Thanksgiving recreation reminiscence: “Smash and Sprint” dominate the Lions in 2008
The ten-1 Titans traveled to Detroit and beat the stuffing out of the Lions. The 47-10 win was fueled by the Titans’ game-changing operating again duo of Chris Johnson and LenDale White, also referred to as “Smash and Sprint.” They mixed for 231 dashing yards and 4 touchdowns. Johnson confirmed his electrifying velocity on a 58-yard landing run. White’s bodily run fashion offered the right complement. Each gamers obtained a bit of the turkey leg postgame. — Turron Davenport
