While we’re all brainwashed—lulled into a comfortable trance by the tranquil voice of Jim Nantz—to believe the Masters is “A tradition unlike any other,” the slate of NFL games on Thanksgiving is the true champion of unique sports experiences.
Thanksgiving NFL games carry so much more than the actual matchup or even outcome. For some, they are an escape from family members or that weird casserole thing, with all the raisins on it, that Aunt Clara made. For others, it’s a chance to digest and catch one’s breath while enjoying a form of holiday-warming nostalgia that harkens back to Pre-Turducken. There are conversations—with minor doses of directed snark—with people you don’t normally talk to: “Well…that’s actually a Cover-4, Bill.”
For many folks, it’s a chance to sleep.
And whatever your reason is for watching (or ignoring) the NFL on Thanksgiving day, I’m sure it’s fantastic. It’s unique, in your particular way—regardless if your team is playing, if your money is swaying, or if you’re simply a fan of all-things Joe Buck. At the end of the day, this proverbial smorgasbord of football consumption ultimately comes down to how you look at it.
Remote, please.
Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions
Glass Half-Full:
This game, unlike the others, has so much history—it’s matchup No. 180. It’s always great, regardless of the team’s quarterback or shortcomings.
The Bears are coming off a win over the Giants, where Mitch Trubisky looked decent at times, and the defense lived up to its 4th-overall ranking. The Bears won this game last year too, behind a solid effort from Chase Daniel—so, maybe, if Trubisky is ineffective, the memory of yesteryear could be the spark for the offense?
For The Lions, although the team has suffered four consecutive losses, none have been by more than eight points. Like most rivalries such as this, the records don’t factor into the outcome, so you have to like the chances when playing in front of the home crowd.
Glass Half-Empty:
Who is David Blough? You know what, it doesn’t matter. Who lines up under center, for either team, holds about as much importance as whether there’s sausage in the stuffing or not—it’s stuffing.
The Bears barely beat the Giants, and Josh Nagy seems like a befuddled press secretary at this point. The Lions have been hanging on by the fact they ‘barely” lost to basically their entire schedule. Though Matt Patricia and his pencil might make for a cool Halloween costume, it causes nothing but indigestion on more food-centric holidays like Thanksgiving. Sure, the NFC is a somewhat open road, but that doesn’t mean it’s an abandoned parking lot. Change the channel, and let’s see what Hoda is up to!