Sports
Top 10 Best NFL Thanksgiving Games
Thanksgiving creates a rare pause in the year when families gather and reconnect before the holiday season ramps up. And one of the traditions woven into the fabric of this holiday is football, particularly the 
NFL.
The 
Detroit Lions and 
Dallas Cowboys have ultimately anchored this yearly tradition, while the league has also used this spotlight to deliver matchups that often shift playoff positioning, making the holiday more than just a ceremonial showcase.
With so many epic clashes to choose from, GIVEMESPORT has narrowed our list down to the ten best Thanksgiving games in NFL history. And let’s just say, for our first choice, the term “memorable” might be a little more applicable.
10
New England Patriots 49 New York Jets 17 (2012)
This AFC East clash was supposed to be competitive, but the 
New England Patriots completely overwhelmed the 
New York Jets in a game that continues to haunt Jets fans to this day. This certainly isn’t up there with the competitive Thanksgiving classics, but what made it so memorable was the infamous “butt fumble”.
In the second quarter, the Jets’ quarterback Mark Sanchez ran directly into his own offensive lineman, Brandon Moore, on a broken play, which resulted in a 32-yard fumble return by Patriots safety Steve Gregory. This play all but ended a very successful era for New York.
9
Minnesota Vikings 46 Dallas Cowboys 36 (1998)
This is the game that made Randy Moss a household name. The future Hall of Famer became a national phenomenon with three catches that all went for long touchdowns in the 
Minnesota Vikings‘ thrilling victory.
Every time the Dallas Cowboys tried to close the gap, Moss struck again with another deep shot, compiling 163 yards in what is one of the most iconic Thanksgiving performances ever.
8
Washington Redskins 38 Dallas Cowboys 31 (2012)
This is the kind of game that will make Washington fans always wonder how great Robert Griffin III could’ve been if he stayed healthy. The 2012 Rookie of the Year threw for 311 yards and four touchdowns in what was a thrilling shootout.
Washington scored 28 points in the second quarter to take control of the game, before Tony Romo almost launched a furious comeback with his 18 points in the fourth quarter. This game became one of the defining highlights of Griffin’s breakout season.
7
Houston Texans 34 Detroit Lions 31 (OT) (2012)
This game wasn’t supposed to be close on paper. The 9-1 
Houston Texans were red-hot and visiting a disgruntled 4-7 Detroit Lions team in this early afternoon affair.
However, Matthew Stafford put on a passing clinic, completing 31 of 61 passes for 441 yards and two touchdowns. The Texans kept pace with the dynamic duo of Stafford and Calvin Johnson, but this game is infamous for its controversial turning point.
That happened when Lions coach Jim Schwartz threw a challenge flag on a touchdown by Houston running back Justin Forsett, a move that both negated replay review and drew an unsportsmanlike penalty.
Both teams eventually botched field goal opportunities before Shayne Graham drilled a 32-yard winner for the AFC South leaders. The loss added to Detroit’s annual Thanksgiving frustrations, while the Texans celebrated a gritty, resilient road victory.
6
Dallas Cowboys 24 Washington Redskins 23 (1974)
The Dallas Cowboys added to their Thanksgiving lore with a stunning comeback against their NFC East rival in 1974. And this double-digit comeback happened after starting quarterback Roger Staubach was injured in the second half while down 16-3.
Clint Longley stepped in for the injured franchise legend, throwing over 200 yards and two touchdowns in one of the most famous backup quarterback moments in league history.
5
Denver Broncos 24 Dallas Cowboys 21 (OT) (2005)
The Dallas Cowboys pushed the Denver Broncos all afternoon in a battle between two above .500 teams. The eventual AFC runner-up broke loose in overtime when Ron Dayne ripped off a long run that set up the winning field goal.
Unfortunately, this close loss cost legendary head coach Bill Parcells and the Cowboys a postseason berth this year.
4
Detroit Lions 19 Pittsburgh Steelers 16 (OT) (1998)
The Detroit Lions delivered a gritty 19–16 overtime victory over the 
Pittsburgh Steelers, in a game defined by tension and late‑game drama. Quarterback Charlie Batch struggled to ignite Detroit’s offense for much of the afternoon, but the Lions stayed alive before a controversial coin toss gave them the advantage in overtime.
Head official, Phil Luckett, ruled that Steelers’ tailback Jerome Bettis had called “heads” on an overtime coin toss, even though the coin landed on tails. Bettis maintained he called “tails,” but Luckett stated Bettis said “heads-tails,” and he went with the first word he heard.
The controversy led to the Detroit Lions getting the ball and winning the game on a 42-yard field goal, and the NFL changed the coin toss procedure to require a call before the coin was flipped.
3
Green Bay Packers 44 Detroit Lions 40 (1986)
In a wild shootout, the 
Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions gave audiences an NFC North clash to remember. Green Bay trailed this contest 37-23 before mounting a furious comeback, largely thanks to quarterback Randy Wright.
While the Lions were up 40–30 late in the fourth, the Packers answered with an 11-yard Wright-to-Paul Ott Carruth touchdown with just over three minutes left.
Shortly after that play and a three-and-out, Walter Stanley refused a fair catch with 41 seconds left to return a punt 83 yards for the game-winning score. This contest was a chaotic, high-scoring affair that stood out in what became a tough season for Green Bay.
2
Miami Dolphins 16 Dallas Cowboys 14 (1993)
This game will forever be immortal for its ending. Snow covered the field at Texas Stadium, creating a strange and memorable backdrop for the entire afternoon.
The Dallas Cowboys, who ended up winning the Super Bowl this season, were in control of this tense, low-scoring affair after blocking a potential winning field goal.
Unfortunately, star defensive tackle Leon Lett made one of the most famous mistakes in NFL history, sliding into the loose ball and failing to recover it, which accidentally gave the Miami Dolphins another try.
Dolphins’ Pete Stoyanovich nailed the game-winning kick this time.
1
Chicago Bears 23 Detroit Lions 17 (OT) (1980)
The Thanksgiving clash between two storied rivals represented everything great about the NFL on this day. The Detroit Lions dominated the majority of this game, leading 17-3 heading into the fourth quarter.
But with Walter Payton by his side, 
Chicago Bears quarterback Vince Evans recorded two late fourth-quarter touchdowns to mount a spectacular fourth-quarter comeback that defined a thrilling NFC Central race.
In overtime, Bears return specialist Dave Williams ran back the opening kickoff 95 yards for the game-winning touchdown, stunning all the Detroit fans in the audience in one of the most dramatic turnarounds ever.
