Kevin Seifert works at ESPN as a staff writer who specializes in Minnesota Vikings and NFL coverage. With over 20 years of experience in the NFL, Kevin joined ESPN in 2008 and was previously a beat reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and Washington Times. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia. Kevin can be followed on Twitter by searching for @SeifertESPN.
The NFL playing on Thursdays used to be a rare event reserved for Thanksgiving. Typically, games were held in Detroit and Dallas, and this tradition resulted in some of the most outstanding individual performances in NFL history. Ahead of the 2023 Thanksgiving games, let’s examine 12 of them. The information provided is compiled from Pro Football Reference and focuses primarily on games played after the 1970 NFL/AFL merger.
In 1945, Jim Benton exceeded 300 receiving yards in a single game while playing for the Cleveland Rams. It was a historic event that saw Benton catch 10 passes for a total of 303 yards and a 70-yard touchdown.
O.J. Simpson gained 273 rushing yards in 1976 while playing for the Buffalo Bills, setting a record. Bob Griese tied an NFL record in 1977 by throwing six touchdown passes in one game. Earl Campbell rumbled for 195 yards in 1979 during the Houston Oilers’ Thanksgiving game against the Cowboys.
In 1994, Dave Krieg achieved a perfect passer rating while playing for the Detroit Lions. Randy Moss caught three long touchdowns in a 1998 game, and Troy Aikman threw for 455 yards to keep up with the competition.
Peyton Manning threw for six touchdowns in 2004, matching Griese’s record. Tom Brady also matched Krieg with a perfect passer rating and contributed to a sizable lead for the New England Patriots in 2010. Ziggy Ansah accumulated 3.5 sacks during a 2015 game, while Amari Cooper scored a 90-yard touchdown during a Thanksgiving game in 2018.
In addition, Cameron Jordan had a memorable performance with four sacks in a Thanksgiving game, cementing his spot in NFL history.
Olivia Wilson is a trendsetter in the world of digital culture. With an eagle eye for emerging trends and viral phenomena, she keeps readers up-to-date with the latest online sensations, memes, and pop culture trends. Olivia’s passion for staying ahead of the curve is infectious.
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