Thanksgiving is synonymous with family and American football. Taking advantage of the proximity of the three games on Thursday (Packers vs Lions, Chiefs vs Cowboys and Bengals vs Ravens), Alofoke Deportes reviews the history of each team on this holiday. What matchups stand out for the Cowboys and Lions, who are fixtures on Thanksgiving each season? Which famous players, or those who only shone once, took home the Most Valuable Player award? Join us to find out.
Contents
1. Los Angeles Rams2. New England Patriots3. Denver Broncos4. Philadelphia Eagles5. Seattle Seahawks6. Indianapolis Colts7. Green Bay Packers8. Detroit Lions9. San Francisco 49ers10. Buffalo Bills11. Chicago Bears12. Kansas City Chiefs13. Los Angeles Chargers14. Jacksonville Jaguars15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers16. Houston Texans17. Baltimore Ravens18. Pittsburgh Steelers19. Dallas Cowboys20. Carolina Panthers21. Minnesota Vikings22. Miami Dolphins
1. Los Angeles Rams
The Rams have played only four times on Thanksgiving, the last time in 1975. In that game, wide receiver Harold Jackson caught five passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns. The Los Angeles defense held the Lions scoreless in a 20-0 victory.2. New England Patriots
Linebacker Tedy Bruschi scored a touchdown after intercepting a pass and running 27 yards, securing the Patriots’ first victory on the holiday. The Patriots wore their “Pat Patriot” red uniforms in that game, as they would in 2010.3. Denver Broncos
The running back Ron Dayne was awarded the “Turkey leg” in 2005. Dayne had his longest run and 20.4% of his rushing yards on his only overtime carry against the Cowboys, setting up the field for Jason Elam’s 24-yard field goal, which gave the Broncos the 24-21 victory.4. Philadelphia Eagles
The 1989 “Bounty Bowl”. Rumors of a $200 bounty from coach Buddy Ryan to kicker Luis Zendejas, following some critical words, seemed to be confirmed when Eagles linebacker Jessie Small took down Zendejas on a kickoff.5. Seattle Seahawks
Victory 19-3 over the 49ers in 2014. Seattle held San Francisco to a field goal, and Richard Sherman intercepted Colin Kaepernick twice.
6. Indianapolis Colts
The quarterback Peyton Manning tied the record for touchdowns on Thanksgiving in 2004, with six touchdown passes in the 41-9 victory over Detroit.7. Green Bay Packers
They defeated the Lions in 2023. The Packers, with an 8.5-point deficit, achieved a 29-22 victory. It was part of a final stretch in which the Packers had a 6-2 record to reach the playoffs.8. Detroit Lions
The Lions beat the Bears 23-20 in 2024. After three consecutive losses, Dan Campbell finally ended the team’s drought on the holiday last season. For quarterback Jared Goff, it was an unforgettable moment.
9. San Francisco 49ers
The 49ers beat the Cowboys in 1972. The Niners defeated one of their biggest rivals 31-10. Linebacker Skip Vanderbundt stole the show, scoring a touchdown after recovering a fumble and another after an interception.10. Buffalo Bills
Josh Allen’s game in 2019. The 26-15 victory over the Cowboys introduced Allen to the country. Allen threw for 231 yards and a touchdown, and ran for 43 yards and a touchdown.
11. Chicago Bears
The running back Walter Payton exploded offensively in 1977. Payton accumulated 244 yards from the line of scrimmage and two touchdowns in the Silverdome, leading the Bears to a 31-14 victory.12. Kansas City Chiefs
Running back Marcus Allen surpassed Walter Payton in 1996. Allen recorded his 111th touchdown and helped the Chiefs come back and win 28-24 against the Lions.13. Los Angeles Chargers
They defeated the Broncos in 1967. The Chargers won 24-20 after overcoming a 10-point deficit in the final quarter.14. Jacksonville Jaguars
None, but perhaps next year? The Jaguars’ streak of not playing on Thanksgiving could end in 2026, when they are scheduled to play in Dallas.15. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
They were defeated in 2006. The Cowboys won 38-10, with five touchdown passes from Tony Romo.16. Houston Texans
Houston benefited from Lions coach Jim Schwartz’s error in 2012. The Texans won 34-31 in overtime.17. Baltimore Ravens
The sideline pass between Jacoby Jones and Mike Tomlin in 2013. The Ravens won 22-20, overcoming one of the league’s most controversial plays.
18. Pittsburgh Steelers
The coin toss error by Jerome Bettis and Phil Luckett in 1998. The overtime coin toss, which led to the Steelers’ defeat.19. Dallas Cowboys
Backup quarterback Clint Longley leads the Cowboys to victory over Washington in 1974. Longley threw a 50-yard touchdown pass to Drew Pearson to defeat their rivals.
20. Carolina Panthers
The Panthers improve to 11-0 in 2015. The Panthers defeated the Cowboys 33-14, thanks to a defense led by Luke Kuechly and Kurt Coleman.21. Minnesota Vikings
Wide receiver Randy Moss scored three touchdowns in 1998. Moss, in his rookie season, scored three touchdowns against the Cowboys, two for 56 yards and one for 51.
