Top 5 NFL Thanksgiving Moments: From Butt Fumble to Manning’s 6 TDs

Thanksgiving Day is finally here, filling homes around the United States with the scent of turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, and all the fixings. Turkey Day is also synonymous with the NFL as gathering around the TV with family for seven hours of non-stop football has become a tradition.

No one loved football on Thanksgiving more than John Madden himself ❤️#MaddenThanksgiving pic.twitter.com/dIe9a5Zvpz

— NFL (@NFL) November 23, 2023

From the good to the bad, Thanksgiving Day football has produced a plethora of memorable moments through the years. Let’s take a moment to reflect on these memories by looking at the top five moments in NFL Thanksgiving history.

Top 5 NFL Thanksgiving Moments in History

#5 – Vikings vs. Cowboys 1998

One of the wildest NFL Thanksgiving Day games occurred in 1998 when the Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys collided at Texas Stadium.

The two teams traded scores throughout the contest, combining for a whopping 82 points as the Vikings went on to win 46-36.

By now, everyone knows that legendary WR Randy Moss was the show's star, scoring a touchdown on each of his three receptions while racking up 163 receiving yards.

Randy Moss was feasting on Thanksgiving in 1998 ??

pic.twitter.com/BVjaHN2FE3

— Bovada (@BovadaOfficial) November 22, 2023

But while Moss stole the headlines, fellow Minnesota wide Cris Carter also had a day to remember, finishing with a 7-135-1 stat line.

And it isn’t like the Cowboys offense didn’t try to keep the team in the game. QB Troy Aikman set the Thanksgiving Day record with 455 passing yards on the day and RB Emmitt Smith even scored three touchdowns.

Dallas fans might not have the fondest memory of this game, but that doesn’t stop it from being one of the most fun matchups to ever happen on the holiday.

#4 – Peyton Manning Dismantles Detroit (2004)

Younger NFL fans probably only know Peyton Manning for his Denver years or his post-retirement shenanigans with brother Eli. However, it’s important to remember just how much of a killer No. 18 was back in the day.

The 2004 season was one of Manning’s best as he led the league with 49 TD passes en route to winning his second of back-to-back MVP awards. His Thanksgiving Day performance against the Detroit Lions is just an example of why he was the NFL’s best player that year.

The Indianapolis Colts marched into Ford Field for a 12:30 p.m. ET start and made easy work of the Lions thanks to Manning. The future Hall of Famer completed 82.1% of his passes on the day for 236 passing yards and… SIX touchdown passes.

Considering how former Miami Dolphins QB Bob Griese is the only other player in history to throw for six TDs on Thanksgiving (1977), it’s easy to see how impressive Manning’s performance was.

The Colts went on to blow out the Lions to the tune of a 41-9 final score, solidifying Manning’s spot in NFL history forever.

#3 – Mark Sanchez’s Butt Fumble (2012)

Who said that the top NFL Thanksgiving moments had to all be positive plays? After all, one of the holiday’s most memorable moments is also the most infamous.

Back in 2012, the New York Jets played host to the rival New England Patriots underneath the bright lights of Thursday Night Football. It was an opportunity for the Jets to prove themselves after coming up short with a 29-26 overtime loss to the Pats just five weeks before that.

Instead, New York QB Mark Sanchez became the butt of endless jokes. Pun intended.

On this day 11 years ago, we all witnessed the iconic Butt Fumble.#MaddenThanksgiving pic.twitter.com/3RwhGhKP9w

— NFL (@NFL) November 22, 2023

With the Jets down 14-0 early in the second quarter, Sanchez attempted to run with the ball for some yardage, but instead ran face-first into offensive guard Brandon Moore’s backside. The devastating blow caused Sanchez to fumble the ball, resulting in Patriots safety Steve Gregory taking it the other way for a 32-yard touchdown.

Despite hanging around in the league for nearly a decade, “Butt Fumble” is the first thing people think of whenever Sanchez’s name comes up. Fortunately, he has a good sense of humor regarding his most infamous play.

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Top 5 NFL Thanksgiving Moments Cont.

#2 – Leon Let’s Dallas Down (1993)

As infamous as the “Butt Fumble” is, Sanchez wasn’t the first player to have an iconic NFL Thanksgiving blunder.

Rewind to Thanksgiving 1993 when the Cowboys played host to the Miami Dolphins on an unusually snowy afternoon in Texas. The frigid weather produced a low-scoring affair as the two sides combined for just 30 points.

Having said that, the game was the Cowboys’ to lose. They led throughout the second half, making it look like they were about to hand the Dolphins their third loss of the season.

Dallas was up 14-13 in the dying seconds, leaving the game in Miami kicker Pete Stoyanovich’s hands as he attempted a 40-yard field goal. The Cowboys wound up blocking the attempt and only needed to not touch the ball to seal the victory.

30 years ago, Thanksgiving of 1993, the Miami Dolphins beat the Dallas Cowboys thanks to a very improbable ending.

Do you remember where you were when Leon Lett touched the blocked field goal?#FinsUp pic.twitter.com/yGFe0Zdxqs

— Big E (@ian693) November 23, 2023

Instead, Dallas defensive lineman Leon Lett comes in and, inexplicitly, tries to make a play for the blocked ball, slipping and knocking the football right back into Miami’s hands.

Stoyanovich proceeded to hit a 19-yard field goal to give the Dolphins the victory, cementing Lett was one of the biggest turkeys in Thanksgiving history.

#1 – Tom Brady’s Turkey Day Comeback (2010)

It’s only fitting that the most memorable NFL Thanksgiving momentum comes from the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady.

Things looked promising for the Patriots on Thanksgiving 2010 as they headed into a road matchup against the Lions. After all, Detroit was 2-8 heading into the matchup while New England was the inverse at 8-2.

But fast forward to the halftime when the Patriots were losing 17-10 — a complete shock. New England needed someone to step up in the second half and the hero in question was none other than Brady.

Thanksgiving 2010 Brady throws for 341 yards & 4 TD’s in 45-24 win pic.twitter.com/SHxYdkGSPr

— RandomTomBradyHighlights (@TomBradyDaily) November 23, 2023

The three-time NFL MVP destroyed the Lions in the second half, throwing four touchdown passes as the Patriots went on to pull off the 45-24 comeback victory. Not only did Brady finish the day without an interception, but he also played to a perfect 158.3 passer rating.

While Brady didn’t set any records that day, his iconic performance showed how he was head and shoulders above the majority of his fellow QBs.

And with that, Happy Thanksgiving from your friends at Betting News!

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