Thanksgiving and the NFL are inseparable. Since the 1920s, the league’s greatest players and most storied franchises have provided unforgettable drama while families gathered around their televisions. From miracle comebacks to iconic performances and controversial finishes, Thanksgiving has given fans some of the most memorable games in league history.

Here are the Top 10 Thanksgiving Day NFL Games of All Time, ranked by historical significance, drama, legacy, and entertainment value.

10. 1925 Chicago Bears vs. Chicago Cardinals

Bears 21, Cardinals 0

The first great Thanksgiving matchup in league history showcased Red Grange’s professional debut. Although Grange didn’t score, his presence drew more than 36,000 fans—massive for the era—and helped legitimize the young NFL. This wasn’t a classic nail-biter, but its historical impact makes it impossible to exclude.

1925 Red Grange “Galloping Ghost” vs Penn

9. 1998 Minnesota Vikings vs. Dallas Cowboys

Vikings 46, Cowboys 36

Randy Moss’ rookie season was already legendary, but this game elevated it to myth. On just three catches, Moss burned the Cowboys for 163 yards and three touchdowns, embarrassing the team that passed on him in the draft. It was one of the greatest “revenge performances” in NFL history and helped cement Moss as an all-time generational talent.

Randy Moss vs Cowboys Thanksgiving 1998 – SCORED ON EVERY CATCH!

8. 2011 Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions

Packers 27, Lions 15

This game is remembered primarily for its cultural impact: the Ndamukong Suh stomp. The Packers were 10-0 and rolling behind Aaron Rodgers, but Suh’s infamous ejection overshadowed everything. The game fueled one of the NFL’s most intense modern rivalries, and the moment remains one of Thanksgiving’s most controversial plays.

2011 Week 12 – Packers @ Lions

7. 1974 Washington Redskins vs. Dallas Cowboys

Cowboys 24, Redskins 23

This game introduced the world to Clint Longley, the unknown rookie backup who replaced an injured Roger Staubach and led the Cowboys to a miracle comeback. Longley hit Drew Pearson for the game-winning 50-yard bomb in the final seconds. It’s still one of the most shocking Thanksgiving endings ever.

NFL – Highlights -1974 Cowboys VS Redskins – Thanksgiving Comeback By QB Clint Longley

6. 1980 Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions

Bears 23, Lions 17 (OT)

Known simply as “The Thanksgiving Day Kick”, this matchup was decided when Bears kicker Dave Williams returned the opening overtime kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown—the fastest overtime win in NFL history. Williams’ walk-off return still stands as one of the most dramatic and unexpected finishes ever televised on Thanksgiving.

1980 Bears at Lions, Thanksgiving Highlights from “NFL Game of the Week”

5. 1993 Miami Dolphins vs. Dallas Cowboys

Dolphins 16, Cowboys 14 — “The Leon Lett Game”

One of the most infamous blunders in NFL history happened on Thanksgiving. With Miami attempting a game-winning field goal in the snow, Dallas blocked the kick—only for Leon Lett to inexplicably dive onto the live ball, allowing the Dolphins to recover and try again. They made the second attempt, and the Dolphins walked away with one of the strangest victories the holiday has ever seen.

Leon Lett’s Thanksgiving Blunder

4. 2012 Washington vs. Dallas Cowboys

Washington 38, Cowboys 31

This was Robert Griffin III’s masterpiece. Playing in front of a national audience, the rookie quarterback delivered one of the greatest Thanksgiving performances ever: four TD passes, breathtaking scrambles, and pinpoint accuracy. It was his signature moment, and it helped Washington surge to a division title.

2012 Redskins @ Cowboys

3. 1998 Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Detroit Lions

Lions 19, Steelers 16 (OT) — “The Coin Toss Game”

The game itself was thrilling, but what made it legendary was the coin toss controversy. Jerome Bettis appeared to call “heads,” but the officials claimed he said “tails,” awarding the Lions the ball in overtime. Detroit drove for the winning field goal, and the NFL rewrote coin-toss procedures because of it.

Steelers Thanksgiving 1998

2. 2016 Minnesota Vikings vs. Detroit Lions

Lions 16, Vikings 13

This game is the modern blueprint for Thanksgiving drama. Matthew Stafford orchestrated a perfect late drive, setting up Matt Prater’s 58-yard field goal, then Darius Slay intercepted Sam Bradford to set up the game-winner. It featured elite quarterback play, huge swings, and a rare double-clutch finish. One of the best Thanksgiving endings of the 21st century.

Detroit Lions win against Minnesota Vikings.

1. 1976 Buffalo Bills vs. Detroit Lions

Bills 27, Lions 14 — O.J. Simpson’s Record-Breaking Day

The greatest Thanksgiving performance ever belongs to O.J. Simpson, who rushed for an NFL-record 273 yards—a single-game mark that stood for decades. Despite Buffalo’s struggles that season, Simpson’s dominance was mesmerizing. Every major highlight reel from the 1970s includes clips from this game, and no Thanksgiving performance before or since has matched its individual brilliance.

1976-11-25 Buffalo Bills vs Detroit Lions

Conclusion

Thanksgiving Day has produced some of the NFL’s most unforgettable moments. From record-setting performances to miracle finishes and historic controversies, these games represent the perfect mix of tradition, drama, and generational stars.