The Top NFL Thanksgiving Day Performances in the last Ten Years
Every Thanksgiving, NFL fans across this country get to sit down and gorge themselves on turkey and the fixings before relaxing on the couch and enjoying some hard hitting football games. Let’s countdown the top ten performances from NFL Thanksgiving Day games in the last ten years.
2003 – Jay Fielder (Miami Dolphins)
Though Fielder never did replace the legendary Dan Marino in Miami, he did provide some highlight material in his career. One of those crowning moments was on Thanksgiving Day when he completed 16 of 20 passes for 239 yards with three touchdowns and 0 interceptions. Fielder added a rushing touchdown to help the Dolphins knock off the Cowboys 40-21.
2003 – Jason Hanson (Detroit Lions)
While some NFL fans do not like giving kickers much credit, it is hard not to when the kicker is Hanson. He has been a mainstay in Detroit and was the reason behind the last Lions’ win on Thanksgiving Day thanks to the five of five field goals and one extra point.
2004 – Julius Jones (Dallas Cowboys)
While Jones never lived up to the potential of becoming a top tier running back, he did help lead the Cowboys to a victory over the Chicago Bears when he carried the ball 33 times for 150 yards and 2 touchdowns.
2004 - Eric Ogbogu (Dallas Cowboys)
This linebacker had a short lived NFL career, in fact he had only started two games during the 2004 season for the Cowboys. He made the most of it by recording 3.5 sacks in the Cowboys victory. This is one day that Ogbogu will remember for every day of his life.
2004 – Peyton Manning (Indianapolis Colts)
Manning has had his share of incredible performances in during his storied career, but the game he had against the Detroit Lions was nothing but spectacular. He completed 23 of 28 passes for 236 yards and 6 touchdowns passes.
2004 – Marvin Harrison (Indianapolis Colts)
Just like Manning, Harrison has had plenty of games where he has gone above and beyond. The 2004 Thanksgiving Day game was the prime example when Harrison hauled in 12 receptions for 127 receiving yards and 3 touchdown receptions.
2005 – Agle Crumpler (Atlanta Falcons)
Tight ends do not normally get a lot of love when it comes to the impact they have on a game. Crumpler’s performance against the Detroit Lions could not go unnoticed. As a result of Crumpler’s 7 receptions for 104 yards and 2 touchdown receptions, the Falcons easily won their Thanksgiving Day contest.
2008 – Chris Johnson (Tennessee Titans)
Prior to having his 2,000 yard season, Johnson made his presence known on Thanksgiving Day when he ran right through the Detroit Lions defense, scorching them for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns on only 16 carries. Johnson could have had more had the Titans continue to use him to run the ball.
2009 – Charles Woodson (Green Bay Packers)
If you want to sum up one of the greatest performances on Thanksgiving Day, look no further than Woodson and what he did against the Detroit Lions. By the time the game was done, he had recorded 6 tackles, 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, and 2 interceptions, one of which he returned for a touchdown.
2008 – DeMarcus Ware (Dallas Cowboys)
The Seattle Seahawk quarterback left the Thanksgiving Day game with nightmares of Ware chasing them down in the backfield. By the time the Cowboys domination of the Seahawks was done, Ware had recorded 3 sacks, not to mention the numerous times he disrupted the play.
