Patriots' History of Thanksgiving Day Games

The New England Patriots won’t have a game this Thanksgiving, and can enjoy getting into a turkey-induced food coma from the couch this year.

The franchise has a very limited experience when it comes to playing in the holiday. While most years, people get accustomed to seeing the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys in late November, New England has seen its football team suit up on Thanksgiving six different times in franchise history.

Here’s a comprehensive list of every time the Patriots have won (and lost) when playing on the fourth Thursday of November in franchise history.

November 11, 1984: Cowboys 20, Patriots 17

The first time the Patriots played on turkey day was an eventful day for a team that had a couple of close games that year. The 1984 squad won nine games, and came oh-so-close to a double-digit win season. The Patriots scored two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to tie the game at 17, but Cowboys kicker Rafael Septien drilled a 23-yard field goal to seal the win.

November 23, 2000: Lions 34, Patriots 9

This game is more monumental in the organization’s history books, not for the final score, but who came in at the end of the game. Trailing by multiple scores, the Patriots turned to rookie quarterback Tom Brady to take what would be his first-ever snaps at the pro level. The future Patriots Hall of Famer threw just three passes and completed one, in what would be the only season of his career that he didn’t begin the year as the team’s starting quarterback.

November 28, 2002: Patriots 20, Lions 12

This game was one of the best uniform matchups in franchise history. The Lions sporting a clean, classic throwback look to do battle against the Patriots’ red throwbacks. Linebacker Tedy Bruschi made the game’s biggest play — a 27-yard pick six — in the fourth quarter en route to what was New England’s seventh victory of the year.

November 25, 2010: Patriots 45, Lions 24

It was a close game at halftime. The Lions led by a touchdown going into the locker room, but that’s when Brady and Deion Branch flipped a switch. They connected on a pair of second-half touchdowns, both of them with Detroit cornerback Alphonso Smith in coverage, to explode out to an insurmountable lead. Brady threw four touchdowns in the win — the second time the Patriots had traveled to Detroit and emerged victorious on Thanksgiving.

November 22, 2012: Patriots 49, Jets 19