To many Americans, it represents the quintessential holiday, synonymous with family, food and football.  And for NFL fans everywhere, what a day it promises to be.

 

Thanksgiving Day this Thursday features an NFL triple-header with traditional holiday games in Detroit and Dallas and the NFL Network primetime game in Atlanta . 

 

The action begins in the Motor City ( FOX , 12:30 PM ET) with a key NFC North divisional matchup between the Green Bay Packers (9-1) and Detroit Lions (6-4).  The teams meet on Thanksgiving for the 18th time with the last such game occurring in 2003 when the Lions defeated the Packers 22-14.

 

“I've always considered playing on Thanksgiving an honor,” says Green Bay quarterback BRETT FAVRE, whose team has won 13 of its past 14 games and ties Dallas for the best record in the NFC.  “To be able to play on Thanksgiving is more of a national scene than other games.  Everyone’s off and hanging out, celebrating, getting together and watching the game.  It does mean something.”

 

The Lions, who play their 68th game on Thanksgiving, lead the all-time series against the Packers on the holiday with an 11-5-1 (.688) record. 

 

“The Thanksgiving games are quite a tradition, not just in Detroit , but for America ,” says NFL Network analyst STEVE MARIUCCI, a Michigan native who participated in three Thanksgiving Day games as the Lions’ head coach in 2003-05.  “I learned firsthand about the excitement in Detroit for the game.  You enjoy playing in front of the home crowd.  It’s special.”

 

The holiday action shifts to Dallas for the second game (CBS, 4:15 PM ET) as the Cowboys (9-1) host the New York Jets (2-8).   Dallas has a 24-14-1 (.632) record on Thanksgiving.  In last year’s game, quarterback TONY ROMO tied a franchise record with five touchdown passes as the Cowboys defeated Tampa Bay 38-10.  This year’s contest will feature a showdown between running back brothers THOMAS ( New York ) and JULIUS ( Dallas ) JONES. 

 

“It's the perfect opportunity for me and my brother,” says Julius, who rushed for 150 yards in the last Thanksgiving meeting between the brothers in 2004 when Thomas played for Chicago .  “It’s the perfect setup.  We both dreamed about playing in the NFL.  We are best friends.  Now that we are here, to have the opportunity to play against each other on Thanksgiving, with family here, is rare.  It’s something to be thankful for.”

 

The final contest of the day (NFL Network, 8:15 PM ET) features the Indianapolis Colts (8-2) at the Atlanta Falcons (3-7) in primetime.  The Falcons played on Thanksgiving in 2005 and defeated Detroit 27-7.  The Colts won at Detroit on the holiday in 2004 as quarterback PEYTON MANNING passed for a Thanksgiving-record six touchdowns. 

 

“I watched many, many Thanksgiving games growing up,” says Manning.  “That was a tradition for my family and it brings back a lot of memories.  It’s a special opportunity to be playing in a Thanksgiving game.”

 

Indianapolis head coach TONY DUNGY has similar memories.

 

“Watching the games and eating Thanksgiving dinner was a tradition in my family growing up,” says Dungy.  “I know it’s special to participate in one of these games.”

Thanksgiving has been the backdrop for phenomenal performances through the years, including ERNIE NEVERS’ NFL- record six touchdowns for the Chicago Cardinals on November 28, 19 29 in a 40-6 win over the cross-town rival Bears.

 

A look at various single-game NFL Thanksgiving Day records:

 

 

 

* NFL record