Matt Aaron's Top 5 Thanksgiving NFL Games

Ah Thanksgiving… and when I think of Thanksgiving, I think of football! Somebody once tried to explain to me that it is actually about being appreciative of what you have and the gracious feeling of giving opposed to receiving. Yeah right. I’ll tell you what it is all about…

It is all about the Detroit Lions playing in their annual Super Bowl. It is about the Dallas Cowboys, being the most loved and hated team in America, turning heads away from horrible family stories and towards the new plasma television in the living room. It is about John Madden having a love affair with turkducken. It is about moments like Leon ‘Lett it go’ pouncing on a blocked kick in on of the most imprudent plays in sports history. It’s about games in which OJ Simpson ran for a record breaking 273 yards (Yes before he had a supporting role in The Naked Gun and a starring role in The Bloody Glove, he was actually one of the greatest running backs of all time). So in the spirit of giving, I am doing my charitable work and sharing my top 5 Thanksgiving moments that I can remember! Let’s not forget that Matt Aaron was born in 1988 which gives me 10-15 years to work with.

5. Randy Moss, let me introduce you to America, America this is Randy Moss.

The year was 1998; the most electric rookie that I have ever witnessed carved up the Cowboys defense on Turkey Day. Not a bad statistical line for Randy with 3 catches for 168 yards and 3 TDs. This was around the time where kids all over the nation started using the phrase, “You just got Moss’ed” when referring to making a catch over a defender. It was also revenge of some sorts for number 84 as he did not forget that Jerry Jones passed on him in the draft while he was running past the Cowboys secondary.

4. Peyton Manning has a tougher time cutting the turkey than playing the Lions

A good way to break a touchdown record is to play the Detroit Lions at least once and that is exactly what Manning did in 2003. The MVP of that season threw a career high 6 touchdowns against the Kitties, 3 of which ended up in the hands of Starvin’ Marvin Harrison (But he ate Thanksgiving dinner later and was not hungry). The Colts passed the cranberry sauce along the sideline as they cruised to a 46-9 victory. Peyton would go on to throw 49 touchdowns during the 2003 campaign.

3. Tony Romo and T.O. connect just like the Pilgrims and Indians did.

It was a happy family in 2006. Bill Parcells was a proud father with his hand picked quarterback, “that player” and even Terry Glenn was on the Coach’s side. Romo roasted the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for 5 touchdowns including 2 to Glenn and 1 to Owens. Dysfunction was on the horizon, but on this day, the Cowboys looked as flawless as buttered biscuits on their way to a 38-10 victory.

2. Barry Sanders hunts Bears, not Turkeys

At 21 years old, memories of actually watching Barry Sanders are minimal, but a few games stick out like a pizza box during Thanksgiving dinner. The year was 1997 and the most stimulating player of the last few decades knifed up the Chicago Bears defense. 167 yards later, the Lions annihilate the Bears 55-20. Barry would finish the season with 2,053 yards.

1. When heads is tails

I always thought that the most difficult decision on Thanksgiving was deciding dark meat over white meat, not whether Jerome Bettis said heads or tails? In 1998, the Detroit Lions would upset the Steelers 19-16 behind a Jason Hanson game winning field goal. The Steelers would not win a game for the rest of that season and miss the playoffs. Controversy would ensue after this game, trying to decipher whether “The Bus” started to say heads before saying tails. Frustration was felt in the Western Pennsylvania, but it would take attention from your sister bringing the new jailbird boyfriend to Grandma’s house for Thanksgiving.

I am very thankful that I am able to even post on this blog and grateful that you took the time out of your holiday week to read this. Have a safe Thanksgiving and lets hope many more great games occur on this holiday.