The most memorable NFL Thanksgiving game performances

The Thanksgiving game between the Chicago Cardinals and Chicago Bears took place too long ago for us to remember, but it was the sight of a record that still stands. Cardinals star Ernie Nevers scored 40 points, the most by a player in a single game, as his squad beat the Bears 40-6.

Cleveland Rams receiver Jim Benton had a remarkable day in 1945, becoming the first player to record over 300 receiving yards in a game with 10 catches for 303 yards. The Rams defeated the Detroit Lions 28-21.

The dominant Lions defense showed up on Thanksgiving to hand Green Bay their only loss of the season, winning 26-14. Packers quarterback Bart Starr was sacked 11 times in the game, while Detroit quarterback Milt Plum threw two touchdowns to Gail Cogdill.

Clint Longley came on for the injured Roger Staubach early in the game vs. Washington and helped turn the game around for the Cowboys. After trailing 16-3, Longley completed 11-of-20 passes for 203 yards and two touchdowns as Dallas came back to win 24-23.

The Bills couldn't get anything going through the air, as Gary Marangi threw for only 29 yards, but O.J. Simpson made up for it with 29 rushes for 273 yards and two scores. Unfortunately, Buffalo still fell to the Lions on Thanksgiving Day 27-14.

Dolphins quarterback Bob Griese had quite a day against the St. Louis Cardinals on Thanksgiving, 1977. He completed 15-of-23 passes for 207 yards and six touchdowns, with three thrown to Nat Moore. Miami won the game 55-14.

Houston Oilers running back Earl Campbell's prime was relatively short, but it was spectacular. He had an MVP season in 1979, helped by a huge Thanksgiving game against Dallas in which he had 33 carries for 195 yards and two touchdowns in a 30-24 win.

Walter Stanley had the game of his life for the Packers in a wild offensive affair at Detroit. He finished the game with four catches for 124 yards and two touchdowns, along with an 83-yard game-winning punt return touchdown to win the game 44-40.

Thanksgiving Day 1993 featured arguably the most incredible blooper in NFL history. Dolphins kicker Pete Stoyanovich missed a 40-yard game-winning field goal attempt, but Cowboys defensive lineman Leon Lett proceeded to touch the ball. The touch gave Miami a chance to recover the ball and attempt another field goal from 19 yards to win the game 16-14. Stoyanovich scored all nine second-half points in the wild weather day in Dallas.

Cowboys backup Jason Garrett was forced into action for an injured Troy Aikman on Thanksgiving and had arguably the best game of his career. Garrett threw for 311 yards and two touchdowns to beat the Packers 42-31. Brett Favre had a fine game of his own for Green Bay, throwing for four scores.

Lions quarterback Dave Krieg couldn't have played any better on Thanksgiving in 1994, producing a perfect 158.3 Passer Rating. He completed 20-of-25 passes for 351 yards and three scores in Detroit's 35-21 win over Buffalo.

Barry Sanders made it a memorable Thanksgiving for Lions fans in 1997 with a huge game. He rushed 19 times for 167 yards and three touchdowns as Detroit tore up the Bears 55-20.

Jerome Bettis had a very busy day in Pittsburgh's 19-16 overtime loss at Detroit, but it was the overtime coin toss that's most memorable. The Steelers running back famously said both heads and tails. Referee Phil Luckett ruled the call was tails, to Bettis' dismay, and the Lions scored in OT to win. The coin toss rules were changed following the season, as a result.

Randy Moss burst onto the scene with an incredible rookie campaign in 1998, and announced his arrival to the world on Thanksgiving. He had three catches, each going for a touchdown, and finished the game with 163 yards in Minnesota's 46-36 win over the Cowboys.

The Colts went into Detroit and had their way with the Lions, led by their explosive offense and Peyton Manning. The quarterback tied Bob Griese's Thanksgiving Day record of six touchdown passes as the Colts won 41-9.

Tony Romo was a surprise breakout player for the Cowboys in 2006, and impressed with a huge Thanksgiving Day game vs. Tampa Bay. He completed 22-of-29 passes for 306 yards and five scores, as the Cowboys won 38-10.

The Lions suffered a historic 0-16 season in 2008, and their Thanksgiving debacle was a clear showing to the world about how bad they were that season. Tennessee beat them 47-10, as Titans running backs Chris Johnson and LenDale White each ran for more than 100 yards and two touchdowns.

Tom Brady had a memorable Thanksgiving performance in an easy 45-24 win over the Lions. He finished with a perfect 158.3 Quarterback Rating, completing 21-of-27 passes for 341 yards and four scores.

The Jets have plenty of bad moments in their franchise's history, but their showing on Thanksgiving, 2012, was among the worst. The dominant Patriots won 49-19, with Tom Brady throwing for three touchdowns and running for one more. However, the game is best remembered for the Mark Sanchez "butt fumble" in which the quarterback ran into the back of offensive lineman Brandon Moore and fumbled the ball.

Thanksgiving in 2014 featured a huge NFC East matchup between the Cowboys and Eagles, with both squads entering the game 8-3. Philly had no issue taking down Tony Romo and company in Dallas, as LeSean McCoy had 25 carries for 159 yards and one score.