Top 5 Best NFL Thanksgiving Moments

Thanksgiving has given us great football over the years. From close wins to insane performances and untimely mistakes, there are plenty of memories to pick from. We break down our top-five best Thanksgiving moments in NFL history.

Randy Moss was in his rookie season in 2008, but he was about to have his breakout game in Dallas. He ended the day with only three catches, but each went for over 50 yards and a touchdown.

On the first drive, the Vikings ran a flea flicker. Randall Cunningham aired out a long pass to Moss, who caught it on the ten and scampered into the end zone. Two minutes in, the Vikings led 7-0.

Towards the end of the first quarter, Moss again reeled in a deep ball from Cunningham, giving Minnesota a 21-6 lead. Moss found himself on the score sheet for a third time in the second half. A short pass was corralled by Moss, who sprinted for another 56-yard score.

The Vikings eventually won 46-36. It was one of four 100+ yard games for Moss that year. Fans watched Randy dominate on a national stage early, a sign of what was to come.

Who doesn’t love a good underdog story? Legendary Dallas QB Roger Staubach sustained a concussion against the Washington Redskins on Thanksgiving of 1974. With just 25 minutes left, Cowboys backup quarterback Clint Longley was forced into the game down 16-3.

Longley hadn’t thrown a pass that season. On his first drive, Dallas stormed down the field for a touchdown. Longley threw a 35-yard pass to cap off the quick score, making it a 16-10 deficit. The Cowboys then forced a punt, and Longley pushed Dallas for another score on a 70-yard drive. At the end of the fourth quarter, America’s Team led 17-16.

Washington hit back to take the lead once again. But it was Longley’s day. The Cowboys started on their own 40 with no timeouts and 1:45 left. Longley threw a 50-yard touchdown pass over a minute later. The Cowboys won 24-23 in one of the most improbable comebacks in team history.

One of Peyton Manning’s best performances came on Thanksgiving Day in 2004. In a 41-9 dominant victory over the Detroit Lions, the Indianapolis Colts cruised. And during an utterly unique game, the quarterback had more touchdown passes (six) than incompletions (five).

Manning started the day with a touchdown drive that had five completions and one miss. The quarterback again drove Indianapolis down the field for a score on his next drive, including another incompletion. Indianapolis scored with 2:29 left in the first half, a drive that had the quarterback’s fifth and final incompletion. After his last miss, Manning threw 12 straight completions. Three of those went for touchdowns.

The Colts led 41-9 after three, so Manning didn’t appear in the fourth quarter. He ended the game going 23/28 with 236 yards and six touchdowns.

When people reminisce on Mark Sanchez’s career, they usually look past statistics — and even the fact that he led the Jets to two AFC Championship games. Instead, fans focus on the infamous “butt fumble.” New York was struggling at 4-6, and a tough matchup against the Patriots came on Thanksgiving night in 2012. The game quickly turned into an embarrassment.

Both teams failed to find the end zone in the first quarter, but New England quickly scored in the second. After a 83-yard TD pass by Tom Brady, New York got the ball down 14-0. Sanchez faked a handoff and tried running up the middle. He was met by the backside of guard Brandon Moore and fumbled. Steve Gregory picked up the ball and ran it in for a 32-yard defensive touchdown. 

New York fumbled on three consecutive drives, but Sanchez’s was by far the worst. The Patriots won 49-19. Mark Sanchez has never escaped the play. The Jets haven’t been the same since either.

Leon Lett’s most famous moment is undoubtedly his fumble while showboating in Super Bowl XXVII. But Lett’s mishap on Thanksgiving day in 1993 isn’t far behind — and this one cost his Cowboys the game.

In the snow, Dallas led 14-13 over the Dolphins. As time wound down, Miami was setting up to kick a field goal to win the game.

Miami kicker Pete Stoyanovich struck the ball, but it was blocked by Dallas’ Jimmie Jones. The ball trickled towards the end zone, and Cowboys players began celebrating. But Lett ran towards the ball, slipped, and hit the ball, making the play live. Jeff Dellenbach of the Dolphins jumped on it at the 1-yard line.

Dallas Coach Jimmy Johnson was stunned, knowing Lett’s mistake continued the game. Stoyanovich lined up again, this time a 19-yard attempt, and made it. Miami stole the game and won 16-14. The season ended in another Super Bowl victory for Dallas, so this was just a footnote. But Lett’s mishap will forever be remembered as one of the major boneheaded plays in NFL history.