10 most memorable NFL moments on Thanksgiving

Nov 28, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Baltimore Ravens wide receiver Jacoby Jones (12) eats a turkey leg while being interviewed by NBC personality Michele Tafoya (right) after beating the Pittsburgh Steelers 22-20 during a NFL football game on Thanksgiving at M&T Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Evan Habeeb-USA TODAY Sports /

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5. Lions knock off undefeated Packers (1962)

Things haven’t been particularly fun to watch when it comes to the Detroit Lions in recent memory. Though it’s always great to watch Calvin Johnson get in a zone and absolutely dominate, but the success as a team hasn’t been there. However, that hasn’t always been the case; there are plenty of instances of the Lions’ former glory. One of the best of those examples happened on Thanksgiving in 1962 when Detroit faced the Packers.

Green Bay, led by the great Bart Starr, was the most dominant force in football at the time. They were coming off of a title in the 1961 season and, coming into their matchup at Detroit, hadn’t lost a game in the 1962 season. The Lions made sure to change that with a phenomenal performance and one of the biggest upsets of the era.

The Lions played almost perfectly in that Thanksgiving Day game. They hit the Packers in the mouth right out of the gate as they jumped out to a 23-0 lead in the first half behind two touchdown connections between Milt Plum and Gail Cogdill and a fumble return for a touchdown as well. Moreover, the Lions completely shut down Starr, who managed just 142 yards passing and threw two interceptions as well.

Detroit’s upset-win ended up being the Packers’ only loss in 1962, including another win in the championship game. That their only loss came on Thanksgiving certainly qualifies it as one of the most memorable NFL moments on that day.

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