"Thanksgiving is a time for family ... and football. So we're using our latest NFL Power Rankings to look at the holiday synonymous with the sport. Ahead of the three games on Thursday (Packers at Lions, Chiefs at Cowboys and Bengals at Ravens), we asked our NFL Nation reporters to look back at each team's history on the holiday. Thirty-one teams have at least one appearance on Thanksgiving -- sorry Jaguars fans, better luck next year."
"What matchups stand out for the Cowboys and Lions, who are staples on Thanksgiving every season? Which famous players -- or one-hit wonders -- got a bite out of a turkey leg as their game's MVP? And what other quirky memories are there from the holiday contests? Let's get into it with the No. 1 team, which didn't change from last week's rankings. Our power panel of more than 80 writers, editors and TV personalities evaluated how NFL teams stack up against one another, ranking them from 1 to 32."
"Thanksgiving game memory: Beating the Lions in 1975 The Rams have played only four times on Thanksgiving, the last coming in 1975. In that game, wide receiver Harold Jackson caught five passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns. Los Angeles' defense kept the Lions scoreless in a 20-0 victory, and the win pushed the Rams to 9-2. They finished 12-2 that season before losing to the Cowboys in the NFC Championship Game. -- Sarah Barshop"
"Thanksgiving game memory: Linebacker Tedy Bruschi's touchdown in 2002 Bruschi returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown -- with teammate and current Patriots coach Mike Vrabel crossing the goal line with him in celebration -- as the Patriots recorded their first win on the holiday. The touchdown secured a 20-12 decision over the host Lions. The Patriots wo"
NFL Thanksgiving games are framed as a holiday football tradition with 31 franchises having appeared on the holiday schedule; the Jaguars have not. The Cowboys and Lions serve as perennial hosts and focal points for memorable matchups and performances. A panel of more than 80 NFL Nation contributors ranked teams while highlighting Thanksgiving histories. The Rams have appeared only four times, last in 1975 when Harold Jackson caught five passes for 106 yards and two touchdowns in a 20-0 win over the Lions. In 2002, Tedy Bruschi returned an interception 27 yards for a touchdown to give the Patriots a 20-12 holiday win over Detroit.
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