The Absolute Best Thanksgiving NFL Games Of All-Time
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The Titans overwhelmed the Lions with a relentless rushing attack, led by Chris Johnson and LenDale White, who combined for 231 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The Lions, on their way to a winless 0-16 season, were no match for the Titans' physicality. Tennessee’s defense also stifled Detroit, forcing multiple turnovers in a blowout that epitomized the Lions' struggles that year.
The Titans overwhelmed the Lions with a relentless rushing attack, led by Chris Johnson and LenDale White, who combined for 231 rushing yards and four touchdowns. The Lions, on their way to a winless 0-16 season, were no match for the Titans' physicality. Tennessee’s defense also stifled Detroit, forcing multiple turnovers in a blowout that epitomized the Lions' struggles that year.
Peyton Manning was unstoppable in this Thanksgiving showcase, throwing six touchdown passes to tie a career high. The Lions had no answer for Manning’s precision passing and the Colts’ explosive offense. Manning spread the ball to multiple receivers, including Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, and the game was effectively over by halftime. It was one of the most dominant Thanksgiving performances by a quarterback.
Peyton Manning was unstoppable in this Thanksgiving showcase, throwing six touchdown passes to tie a career high. The Lions had no answer for Manning’s precision passing and the Colts’ explosive offense. Manning spread the ball to multiple receivers, including Marvin Harrison and Reggie Wayne, and the game was effectively over by halftime. It was one of the most dominant Thanksgiving performances by a quarterback.
The Lions handed Vince Lombardi's Packers their only loss of the season in a game defined by Detroit's defensive dominance. The Lions sacked Packers quarterback Bart Starr several times, stifling the typically unstoppable Green Bay offense. The Lions' performance was a masterclass in physicality and remains one of the most celebrated victories in franchise history.
The Lions handed Vince Lombardi's Packers their only loss of the season in a game defined by Detroit's defensive dominance. The Lions sacked Packers quarterback Bart Starr several times, stifling the typically unstoppable Green Bay offense. The Lions' performance was a masterclass in physicality and remains one of the most celebrated victories in franchise history.
In a game dominated by offense, Jason Garrett and Emmitt Smith led the Cowboys to victory over Brett Favre's Packers. Garrett threw for 311 yards and two touchdowns, while Smith added two rushing scores. Despite Favre’s efforts to keep the Packers in the game, Dallas' dynamic offense proved too much. The Cowboys’ Thanksgiving dominance was on full display, and this win cemented their status as a dynasty in the making.
In a game dominated by offense, Jason Garrett and Emmitt Smith led the Cowboys to victory over Brett Favre's Packers. Garrett threw for 311 yards and two touchdowns, while Smith added two rushing scores. Despite Favre’s efforts to keep the Packers in the game, Dallas' dynamic offense proved too much. The Cowboys’ Thanksgiving dominance was on full display, and this win cemented their status as a dynasty in the making.
In one of the highest-scoring Thanksgiving games ever, the Packers and Lions traded touchdowns in a back-and-forth shootout. Packers quarterback Randy Wright and Lions quarterback Joe Ferguson orchestrated explosive offenses, but it was Green Bay’s ability to score in clutch moments that secured the victory. The game featured 9 touchdowns and 84 combined points, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
In one of the highest-scoring Thanksgiving games ever, the Packers and Lions traded touchdowns in a back-and-forth shootout. Packers quarterback Randy Wright and Lions quarterback Joe Ferguson orchestrated explosive offenses, but it was Green Bay’s ability to score in clutch moments that secured the victory. The game featured 9 touchdowns and 84 combined points, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.
The Cowboys were trailing 16-3 when backup quarterback Clint Longley replaced an injured Roger Staubach. Known as the "Mad Bomber," Longley electrified the crowd, throwing two touchdowns, including a 50-yard game-winner to Drew Pearson with just seconds left. Longley’s improbable heroics turned the game around and earned him a place in NFL lore as an unlikely Thanksgiving hero.
The Cowboys were trailing 16-3 when backup quarterback Clint Longley replaced an injured Roger Staubach. Known as the "Mad Bomber," Longley electrified the crowd, throwing two touchdowns, including a 50-yard game-winner to Drew Pearson with just seconds left. Longley’s improbable heroics turned the game around and earned him a place in NFL lore as an unlikely Thanksgiving hero.
The Patriots dismantled the Jets in a game remembered for the "Butt Fumble." Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez ran into the backside of his lineman, Brandon Moore, causing a fumble that was returned for a Patriots touchdown. This low point for the Jets highlighted their struggles, while Tom Brady and the Patriots offense ruthlessly capitalized on mistakes, scoring 35 points in the second quarter alone. It remains one of the most lopsided and memorable Thanksgiving games.
The Patriots dismantled the Jets in a game remembered for the "Butt Fumble." Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez ran into the backside of his lineman, Brandon Moore, causing a fumble that was returned for a Patriots touchdown. This low point for the Jets highlighted their struggles, while Tom Brady and the Patriots offense ruthlessly capitalized on mistakes, scoring 35 points in the second quarter alone. It remains one of the most lopsided and memorable Thanksgiving games.
In the first Thanksgiving Day game to go into overtime, the Bears and Lions battled in a tightly contested matchup. Detroit led 17-3 in the fourth quarter, but Chicago stormed back to tie the game. In overtime, Dave Williams returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, giving the Bears a dramatic and historic victory. The game is remembered not only for its thrilling finish but also for introducing overtime excitement to Thanksgiving football.
In the first Thanksgiving Day game to go into overtime, the Bears and Lions battled in a tightly contested matchup. Detroit led 17-3 in the fourth quarter, but Chicago stormed back to tie the game. In overtime, Dave Williams returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown, giving the Bears a dramatic and historic victory. The game is remembered not only for its thrilling finish but also for introducing overtime excitement to Thanksgiving football.
A snowstorm in Dallas set the stage for one of the most bizarre finishes in NFL history. The Dolphins trailed 14-13 with seconds remaining, attempting a last-second field goal. The kick was blocked, seemingly sealing a Cowboys victory. However, Leon Lett inexplicably touched the ball, making it live, and the Dolphins recovered. Miami then kicked a chip-shot field goal for the win. The "Leon Lett play" is now infamous, and the snow-covered field remains a rare sight in Dallas.
A snowstorm in Dallas set the stage for one of the most bizarre finishes in NFL history. The Dolphins trailed 14-13 with seconds remaining, attempting a last-second field goal. The kick was blocked, seemingly sealing a Cowboys victory. However, Leon Lett inexplicably touched the ball, making it live, and the Dolphins recovered. Miami then kicked a chip-shot field goal for the win. The "Leon Lett play" is now infamous, and the snow-covered field remains a rare sight in Dallas.
Rookie sensation Randy Moss made a statement in this game, catching three passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns—all on deep throws that showcased his incredible speed and athleticism. Moss, playing in his first Thanksgiving game, took full advantage of the national spotlight. The Vikings' high-powered offense, led by Randall Cunningham, overwhelmed the Cowboys, who struggled to keep pace despite a solid performance from quarterback Troy Aikman. This game is remembered as the moment Moss became a household name.
Rookie sensation Randy Moss made a statement in this game, catching three passes for 163 yards and three touchdowns—all on deep throws that showcased his incredible speed and athleticism. Moss, playing in his first Thanksgiving game, took full advantage of the national spotlight. The Vikings' high-powered offense, led by Randall Cunningham, overwhelmed the Cowboys, who struggled to keep pace despite a solid performance from quarterback Troy Aikman. This game is remembered as the moment Moss became a household name.
