Photo courtesy of Sam Posten III, Flickr Creative Commons
Thanksgiving football did not disappoint this season, as three games between divisional rivals were part of family traditions celebrated across America on Thursday.
Freshman Patrick Morgan said football has become synonymous with Thanksgiving Day. “Whether it is playing football outside or watching the games on TV, it definitely has become a centerpiece of Thanksgiving for some families,” Morgan said.
The NFC North battle between the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions, started off great for the Bears as Jay Cutler threw two touchdowns to receiver Alshon Jeffrey to give Chicago a 14-3 lead with just over three minutes left in the first quarter.
The Bears good fortune was short-lived as Matt Stafford responded for the Lions with two touchdown passes to Calvin Johnson. A short touchdown run by Joique Bell gave the Lions a 24-14 lead at the half.
Bell scored another one-yard touchdown, the only touchdown scored in the second half as the Lions proceeded to dominate the Bears with a final score of 34-14.
The heated NFC matchup of the day was the Philadelphia Eagles against the Dallas Cowboys. A lot was expected from this game, but it was primarily one-sided. Philadelphia got into an unshakeable rhythm after having success on the ground and in the air.
Tony Romo did not have his best game; throwing for 199 yards, zero touchdowns and two interceptions. Dallas’ star running back Demarco Murray was held under 100 rushing yards for only the second time this season.
Eagles’ running back LeSean McCoy ran for 159 yards and a touchdown, complimented by Mark Sanchez, who threw for 217 yards and a touchdown in Philadelphia’s 33-10 victory.
The primetime matchup of the night was the bitter rivalry between the Seattle Seahawks and the San Francisco 49ers. Despite the hype this was not a high scoring game with a final score of 19-3. The game proved to be mainly a defensive battle, with Seattle’s defense reigning supreme.
Richard Sherman claimed both of Colin Kaepernick’s interceptions as the 49ers quarterback threw for a dismal 121 yards. Seattle’s Russel Wilson threw for 236 yards and one touchdown in Seattle’s beat down of San Francisco.
Although these games did not have close scores, they still provided the dose of Thanksgiving football that millions of Americans look forward to every year. For some football fans, Thanksgiving football games are just as much of a tradition as the turkey on the table.
Freshman Peter Sileo suggests that there would be outrage if there weren’t games on Thanksgiving. “I feel like people would be angry if there wasn’t any football on Thanksgiving because it has become such a tradition,” Sileo said.
The importance of Thanksgiving football can vary from fan to fan and family to family. Some watch football no matter what, while others are only interested if the team they support is playing, like junior Nicole Picinich.
“I wouldn’t watch unless it was the Giants, or any other team that I like, which none of played this Thanksgiving,” Picinich said.
azurita@ramapo.edu
