Thursday Night Football: Turkey Day Special

This Thursday, instead of the typical one game, there will be three. The NFL has been playing football on Turkey Day annually since it’s founding back in 1920 and brings yet another great slate of games this year.  So sit back and enjoy time with your family, with hopefully some great food, and maybe even catch a few games while you’re at it.

Minnesota Vikings (6-4) @ Detroit Lions (6-4)

Lions vs. Vikings practice report: Nov. 22: https://t.co/ujhOd4pt8R pic.twitter.com/PGPYsb4yWa

— Detroit Lions (@Lions) November 22, 2016

The Lions have had the longest Thanksgiving tradition, first playing in 1934.  This year it will be a Midwest Clash as the Vikings come to Detroit to take on the Lions. These two have played three times on Thanksgiving ,with the Vikings holding a 2-1 advantage.  However, the Lions are coming into this one on fire, winning five of their last six games. Quarterback Matthew Stafford will look to keep the holiday magic going for the Lions, who’ve won their last three games on Thanksgiving.

The Vikings, on the other hand, have been the complete opposite of the Lions, losing five out of their last six games.  They are one of the most successful teams playing on Thanksgiving however, with an overall record of 6-1. However, it’s worth noting that the last time they played on Thanksgiving was in 2000.  With historic success on this day, quarterback Sam Bradford will look to right the ship and get the Vikings back on track to the playoffs.

Washington Redskins (6-3-1) @ Dallas Cowboys (9-1)

We're sporting the navy unis this week for our @StateFarm #RightCombination against the Redskins! #WASvsDAL pic.twitter.com/Bvpi22p8cC

— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) November 22, 2016

This Thanksgiving brings us one of the biggest rivalries in the NFL as the Redskins travel to Dallas to take on the Cowboys.  The Cowboys have made playing on Thanksgiving day an annual tradition since 1966.  These two teams are no strangers to playing each other on Thanksgiving ,as they have met seven previous times before.  The Cowboys hold the edge with a record of 6-1 on Thanksgiving against their rivals, and will look to continue their success with rookie sensation in quarterback Dak Prescott.

The Redskins come into this game red-hot after winning their last two games , including a shootout against the Green Bay Packers last week that ended 42-24.  Leading the way is quarterback Kirk Cousins, who has struggled in his recent appearances against the Cowboys.  The Redskins will look to end their “turkey blues” and ruin a Cowboy franchise-record win streak of nine straight games.

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-5) @ Indianapolis Colts (5-5)

https://twitter.com/steelers/status/801096286355132416

Tradition to neither team, the Steelers will play the Colts this Thanksgiving.  The Colts are gaining momentum coming into this game, as they ride in on a two game winning streak.   With only three Thanksgiving day appearances, the Colts are 2-1 overall. Their last appearance was in 2007.  This will be Andrew Luck’s first Thanksgiving game, and he hopes to get his team to a winning record on the holiday.

The Steelers have a horrible historical record on Thanksgiving, with an overall record of 1-6. Their sole win came all the way back in 1950.

They have also been struggling for the last few weeks, losing four of their last five games.  There is certainly a slump brewing in Pittsburgh, and they will look to quarterback Ben Roethlisberger to lead them out of it.