Counting down the greatest NFL Thanksgiving games of all time, showcasing unforgettable moments and historic matchups.
Thanksgiving Day matches have been a well-established custom in the National Football League. Detroit and Dallas regularly hold a game, with a third one recently added on the NFL Network.
The tradition of Thanksgiving Day started when the Lions’ first owner held a game on Thanksgiving to attract fans to their games.
Some Thanksgiving games have been unforgettable, while others were forgettable. Some games distract individuals from their meals and loved ones; others prompt individuals to switch the TV channel. Here are the top five most unforgettable Thanksgiving Day games.
Tom Brady passed for 323 yards and three touchdowns before scoring a fourth with a rush, yet it was New York quarterback Mark Sanchez who gained attention, though not for positive reasons.
In the beginning of the second quarter, Sanchez attempted to run on a broken play but was unsuccessful, colliding with his own teammates. The “butt fumble” originated when Sanchez collided with Brandon Moore and lost possession of the ball.
New England grabbed the ball and scored during the play, rubbing salt in the wound. Not a good day for Jets supporters.
The first NFL game broadcast in color took place in 1965, featuring the Detroit Lions playing against the Baltimore Colts. The Colts tied the game 24-24 and later lost to the Green Bay Packers in overtime during the playoffs. The Packers continued to win the NFL Championship.
Following extensive persuasion by the owner of the Kansas City Chiefs, Lamar Hunt, the Chiefs were granted a Thanksgiving Day matchup to be televised on the NFL Network. Hunt desired for the Thanksgiving Day game to be moved around and not exclusively held by Detroit and Dallas. The Denver Broncos were defeated by the Chiefs with a score of 19-10. The Chiefs returned to the playoffs after a three-season absence.
The Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers were tied at 16 and headed into overtime. Jerome Bettis made the call for the coin toss in overtime. The referee and the Steelers hold conflicting views on the decision made during the coin toss.
The Lions won the coin toss, received the ball, and proceeded to score a field goal right away. The Steelers did not make it to the playoffs that year and a new rule was implemented. Now the coin toss is named before the coin gets tossed.
This game on Thanksgiving was the first to go into overtime, but fans didn’t get much additional football.
Dave Williams scored a touchdown with a 95-yard return on the first kickoff of overtime, while his teammates ran onto the field as he reached the middle of the field. In the third quarter, Chicago was behind by a score of 17-3.
Image Credits- (Imagn Images )Thanksgiving day game between the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions at Ford Field, Thursday, November 24, 2011.
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