Like every American holiday, Thanksgiving is built on traditions and one of the day’s most important and celebrated traditions is unquestionably NFL football. The NFL has been the perfect pairing to the year’s most fulfilling family meal since 1920 and, as you might expect, Thanksgiving has served as the backdrop for a glut of memorable games during that 93-year span. In fact, there have been so many, that there’s no way we could include them all. So, in focusing on the more recent contests, we’ve compiled a list of five of the most memorable Thanksgiving Day games since 1985 and, in the spirit of the holiday, we couldn’t help but stuff in a couple honorable mentions as well.
1986 – Packers Outgun the Lions 44-40
The Thanksgiving shootout between Green Bay and Detroit in 1986 still ranks as the highest scoring game in Turkey Day history. Amazingly, the Lions actually led by 10 points with just over five minutes to play, but a ferocious Packers comeback — capped off by Walter Stanley’s 83-yard punt return touchdown with less than a minute left — helped make the game a true classic and one we still haven’t forgotten. Of course, the game is probably even more memorable for Stanley, who enjoyed a career day besides the game-winning score, ending the game with 207 all-purpose yards and three total touchdowns (2 receiving).
1993 – Cowboys Gift the Dolphins with a 16-14 Win
Leon Lett was a great football player, but unfortunately, he’ll always be remembered for a couple of boneheaded gaffes, including the horrendous one he made in a Thanksgiving Day loss to the Miami Dolphins in 1993.
On a rare snowy day in Dallas, the Cowboys clung to a slim 14-13 lead against Miami, setting up for a 41-yard game-winning field goal attempt. In clutch fashion, the ‘Boys managed to block the kick, but Lett mistakenly attempted to recover, thus creating a live ball and another opportunity for the ‘Phins. Of course, the now infamous blunder led to a second and much shorter field goal try, which went through the goal posts, giving Miami cause to celebrate in the Texas snow.
1994 – Jason Garrett Leads the Cowboys to 42-31 Victory Over the Packers…as a QB
Long before coaching the Dallas Cowboys in Thanksgiving Day games, Jason Garrett played in them. Well, at least he played in one and it was only because Troy Aikman and Rodney Peete were both injured, but we have to give the former third-string quarterback credit for making the most of his opportunity and for helping turn his rare start into one of the most memorable Thanksgiving battles ever.
Emmitt Smith may have stolen the show with 138 yards and two touchdowns, but Garrett was the story, as he outdueled the great Brett Farve in Dallas’ win. Garrett ended the day with 311 yards on just 15 completions and led the Cowboys offense to an impressive 36-point second half. Needless to say, Garrett will have a hard time topping this 1994 performance as a head coach anytime soon.
1998 – Coin-Flip Confusion Leads to the Lions Topping the Steelers 19-16 in OT
After four hard-fought quarters, the Lions and Steelers had already created one of the more memorable Thanksgiving Day games in recent memory by taking a 16-16 score into overtime. However, then things took a bizarre turn, solidifying the game’s place on this list and indelibly marking it in the memories of football fans everywhere.
In taking the leadership role, Steelers captain Jerome Bettis called the overtime coin toss for his team, but we’re still not sure what he said and the game’s referee wasn’t sure either. Though he insisted he called tails, Bettis’ mumble mouth could have very well cost the Steelers the game, as the ball was awarded to the Lions, who went down the field on their first drive and scored a game-winning field goal. Now, as a commentator and analyst for ESPN, Bettis makes sure to always speak clearly.
2010 – Cowboys Come Up Just Short in 30-27 Loss to the Saints
On paper, the 3-8 Dallas Cowboys appeared to be no match for the 8-3 New Orleans Saints in 2010, but they ended up providing fans with a game for the ages, even though they ultimately came up just short.
As many expected, Dallas fell into a big 17-0 hole in the first quarter. As usual, Drew Brees was throwing bullets and Cowboys starter Jon Kitna was not. However, the ‘Boys didn’t give up on former quarterback and interim coach Jason Garrett and mounted an impressive comeback to take a 27-23 lead in the fourth quarter. But, alas, Dallas’ incredible effort was still not enough, as Brees marched the Saints on an 89-yard touchdown drive, putting the go-ahead points on the board with less than two minutes to play. At least the Cowboys can say it wasn’t the worst Thanksgiving ever.
Honorable Mention: 1987 – Vikings Stave off Cowboys Comeback in 44-38 OT Win
Twenty-three years before Dallas’ failed comeback attempt against New Orleans, it also came oh-so close to rallying against the Minnesota Vikings on Thanksgiving Day. Minnesota blew a two-touchdown lead in the fourth quarter and then missed a potential game-winning field goal as time expired, but still had just enough in the tank to put one across in overtime, sending Dallas to yet another demoralizing defeat.
Honorable Mention: 2012 – Mark Sanchez “Butt Fumble” Leads to Jets’ Embarrassing 49-19 Loss to the Patriots
The Jets couldn’t do anything right in the beating they took at the hands of their rival New England last Thanksgiving, but Mark Sanchez’s infamous “Butt Fumble” was certainly the lowlight. It’s hard to erase the image of Sanchez crashing into the rear of his lineman Brandon Moore so hard that he fumbled the ball, but we’re pretty sure Sanchez would love to forget it.
So, there you have it! Are there any games we missed? What is your favorite Thanksgiving Day classic? Let us know in the comments and have a great Thanksgiving watching the Packers take on the Lions, the Raiders visit the Cowboys and the Steelers battle the Ravens!
