Thanksgiving week is here, which means three things in most American households: food, family, and NFL football. Before gathering around the dinner table, many will gather around the television set, hoping to see historical performances. Several players have delivered legendary games on Turkey Day. Here are five of those unforgettable showings that have occurred over the last 30 years.
The 1995 NFL season was by far the best for former Detroit Lions quarterback Scott Mitchell. That year, he threw for over 4300 yards and 32 touchdowns. Mitchell saved his best performance of the season for Thanksgiving Day against division rival Minnesota Vikings. During that game, he carved up the Vikings’ defense, throwing for 410 yards and four TDs.
Mitchell ensured that everyone received a helping, as three different wide receivers went over 100 yards and had at least one score. The Lions went on to win in a 44-38 shootout that the fans in the Motor City will never forget.
Peyton Manning’s 17-year Hall of Fame NFL career had numerous historical moments. One of the most memorable ones came in 2004 inside Ford Field. The Indianapolis Colts feasted on the Lions 41-9 in a game where Manning tied the Thanksgiving record with six passing TDs.
Manning showed his usual pinpoint accuracy in that contest, completing 82 percent of his passes. The wealth was evenly spread between WRs Marvin Harrison and Brandon Stokley, who each had three TD catches. It was just another day at the office for the five-time NFL MVP.
The Lions have played the most Thanksgiving Day games in NFL history, so of course, Barry Sanders was going to make the list! Sanders was a walking highlight reel who could create magic whenever he touched the pigskin. The Thanksgiving game in 1997 versus the Chicago Bears would not be any different, as Sanders rushed for 167 yards on 19 carries, with three TDs.
It took a while for Detroit to get going in that contest, finding themselves down 20-10 late in the second quarter. Sanders would then turn on that magic, slicing through the Bears’ defense for a 40-yard touchdown just before halftime. That would be the spark that lit the Lions’ fire, as Sanders would score two more times in the 55-20 beatdown of Chicago.
There were countless memories of the 1997 NFL MVP inside the Pontiac Silverdome, and this was one of the most historic ones.
New England Patriots legend Tom Brady was not only terrific on Thanksgiving in 2010, but he was also perfect. Brady had the highest passer rating possible, 158.3, against the Lions, while throwing for 341 yards and four touchdowns. The Patriots got off to a slow start in that contest and found themselves down 17-3 at one point. The three-time NFL MVP, however, was just getting warmed up.
Brady saved the main course for the second half of that game, as all four of his passing TDs occurred after the break. Deion Branch and Wes Welker both found the end zone twice, as Detroit’s secondary looked in shambles at times. Branch ended up with 113 yards on just three catches. That was one of the better three-catch games on Thanksgiving, but not quite the best.
The best three-catch performance on Thanksgiving happened in 1998 by Vikings rookie WR Randy Moss. Having 163 yards and three touchdown catches is crazy enough, but to do it on just three receptions is downright nasty! The Dallas Cowboys’ secondary did not stand a chance against Moss, as he flew past them all day. During that game, the late great John Madden also famously revealed the strategy that Moss suggested to QB Randall Cunningham.
Randall Cunningham was telling us last week that Moss just tells him Hey, hey dog, just chuck it in the end zone.
A simple game plan, but with a talent like Moss, there was no need to try reinventing the wheel. There were five seasons where he led the league in TD catches, and simply chucking it towards Moss accounted for much of that. ESPN has a segment called You Got Mossed for a reason. When the football was in the air, probably no other player in NFL history was better at making the spectacular catch than number 84.
There are many great memories from Thanksgiving Day football, so narrowing the list to five was not easy. That Patriots versus Lions matchup might be my favorite because I was there in person to see Branch put Alphonso Smith in a blender all afternoon.
This year’s NFL Thanksgiving schedule could feature more historic performances with the likes of Patrick Mahomes, Jahmyr Gibbs, Lamar Jackson, and Ja’Marr Chase taking the field. It also helps that most teams on the slate still have plenty to play for. The Lions and Green Bay Packers are right behind the Bears in the NFC North. The Kansas Chiefs, meanwhile, are fighting for their playoff lives, and the Baltimore Ravens retook the division lead last week.
It should be another exciting year of Turkey Day football! Enjoy the food, your family, and the complete serving of NFL action. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
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