Tag: Thanksgiving

We’re thankful for the Cowboys’ all-white Color Rush uniforms, which should be the primary look

The Cowboys have to trade their hideous primary uniforms for their Color Rush set.

There wasn’t a whole lot to get excited about with this underwhelming slate of NFL games on Thanksgiving, but the Dallas Cowboys’ all-white Color Rush uniforms are definitely on that very shortlist.

This game against Washington will be the only time they wear them all season, so we have to appreciate them while we can. Next week, they’ll be back to their horrendous-looking primary uniforms which feature about a million different shades of blue.

It shouldn’t have to be this way. The Cowboys could wear the far superior version of their white uniforms. I mean, look at this utterly perfect look…

(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

And then look at this Frankenstein-ish set…

(AP Photo/David Berding)

Why don’t the numbers and stripes match the star and stripes on the helmet?!?! And what the hell are those pants? They call that weird greenish/silver color “seafoam green.” Whose idea was it to throw green into the mix?!?!

Some strange people on Cowboys Twitter have become obsessed with the color and have even worked up photoshops of a seafoam green “Color Rush” uniform…

Awful.

The Cowboys need to ditch the seafoam green and the royal blue numbers and just go with the one shade of navy blue from the helmet to the pants. That would add some badly needed cohesion to their full uniform set, which features their navy blue tops.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

If they make the full-time switch to the white Color Rush unis, the Cowboys would instantly have a top-3 aesthetic in the NFL. This should be second on Jerry Jones’ list of priorities, right behind signing Dak Prescott to a long-term deal.

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Former Falcons WR Mohamed Sanu catches TD on Thanksgiving

In one of the better moves the team made under former GM Thomas Dimitroff, the Atlanta Falcons traded away wide receiver Mohamed Sanu to the New England Patriots at the 2019 trade deadline for a second-round pick.

In one of the better moves the team made under former GM Thomas Dimitroff, the Atlanta Falcons traded away wide receiver Mohamed Sanu to the New England Patriots at the 2019 trade deadline for a second-round pick.

He was eventually released by the Patriots, and earlier this week, Sanu signed with the Detroit Lions. The former Falcons wideout made his debut during today’s Thanksgiving matchup, and is off to a good start thus far.

Sanu scored a touchdown midway through the fourth quarter, which you can see below, courtesy of the NFL’s Twitter account.

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Welp, we’re calling it early: Gordon Hayward has the worst turkey of 2020

Get it out of here.

Our own Andy Nesbitt established this week what you probably already realized was true: Turkey is lame (there’s a reason you’re not roasting turkey with any regularity, right?) and you can do much better for your Thanksgiving feast.

However, maybe you’re a traditionalist. And if so, you might as well perfect your recipe and method. We tend to use Sam Sifton’s plan, though with some adjustments (lemons and oranges inside this year; let’s get nuts.)

Gordon Hayward, who recently signed a $120 million four-year deal with the Charlotte Hornets, has, instead, created one of the least-appetizing … anythings … of all time.

It’s risky, being early in the day, especially when you consider the people still roasting on the West Coast, but this has to be it, right? This is the worst turkey of the year.

There’s no sense in trying to diagnose what could have gone wrong here. All of it did. From start to finish. I feel bad that I showed you this. I hope I didn’t ruin your day.

And I hope Gordon was able to use some of that newly earned cash to order a better bird. Or pulled pork. Just something edible.

2020 NBA Free Agency tracker: Catch up on all the deals

Thanksgiving Inactives: Terry McLaurin, Dustin Hopkins to play vs. Cowboys; Cornelius Lucas out

After being listed as questionable, Terry McLaurin will be good to go against the Cowboys, with Dustin Hopkins also lacing them up.

After a slight scare that Washington superstar Terry McLaurin wouldn’t play in this Thanksgiving Day matchup against the Dallas Cowboys, the young receiver is expected to suit up and assume his heavy workload on Thursday afternoon. McLaurin was listed as questionable coming into this game with an ankle injury, but he was a full participant in practice on Wednesday and should be good to go.

Elsewhere, kicker Dustin Hopkins should be good to go as well after being listed as questionable yet again with a groin injury. Washington did not elevate another kicker from the practice squad this week, so we can assume that Hopkins will be lacing them up on Thursday.

For the second straight week, we will see Cornelius Lucas miss the game with an injury, leaving Morgan Moses to get the start at LT, while Davis Sharpe plugs in at RT. The duo did well in those positions last week against the Bengals, so we can hope for the same again on Thursday.

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What Packers fans should be thankful for on Thanksgiving 2020

Packers fans have a lot to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day in 2020.

Fans of the Green Bay Packers have a lot to be thankful for on this Thanksgiving Day in 2020.

For starters, the Packers are 7-3, in first place in the NFC North and right in the hunt for the No. 1 seed in the conference. And Sunday night’s visit from the rival Chicago Bears provides an opportunity for the Packers to put the division in a stranglehold as the calendar approaches December.

Here’s everything to be thankful for as a Packers fan in 2020:

– Coach Matt LaFleur: The second-year head coach is 20-6 (76.9 win percentage) in his first two seasons leading the Packers, and he has this year’s team on track to win a second consecutive NFC North title. His innovative and modern scheme has helped revive the Packers’ two-time MVP quarterback.

– QB Aaron Rodgers: He has 29 touchdown passes in 10 games, putting him on pace for 46, and he leads the NFL in passer rating (115.8). Nine times in 10 tries, he’s thrown multiple touchdown passes and finished with a passer rating over 100.0. The Packers have scored 30 or more points seven times (tied for first in NFL) and rank third overall in scoring.

– RBs Aaron Jones and Jamaal Williams: The complementary duo has 1,343 total yards and 10 total touchdowns in 2020. Jones can slash and dash; Williams can do everything.

– WR Davante Adams: He leads the NFL in receiving yards per game (105.9), and he’s one of only three players with 10 or more receiving touchdowns in 2020. No receiver has a higher grade at Pro Football Focus through 11 weeks.

– WR Marquez Valdes-Scantling: The team’s top deep threat leads the NFL in yards per catch (20.7) and catches over 40 yards (five).

– WR Allen Lazard: The do-it-all receiver is back from a core injury and ready to resume his role as a clutch receiver and dominant run blocker.

– TE Robert Tonyan: He’s tied for third among tight ends with six touchdown catches in 2020, and he leads all tight ends in catch percentage (86.5).

– TE Marcedes Lewis: Big Dog has a pair of touchdown catches, providing living proof that Aaron Rodgers can throw touchdown passes to first-round picks.

– OT David Bakhtiari: The highest-paid offensive lineman in NFL history will be in Green Bay for the next four seasons. He’s leading fan voting among NFC offensive tackles.

– OL Elgton Jenkins: He can play every position along the offensive line. No, seriously. He’s played both tackle spots, center and guard this season.

– C Corey Linsley: The veteran center is the highest-rated player at his position this season.

– OL Billy Turner: He started 16 games at right guard last season but has been effective at both left and right tackle in 2020.

– Offensive coordinator Nathanial Hackett: Yeet. I love gold. The gold zone.

– OLB Za’Darius Smith: Over his first 26 games with the Packers, he has 21.5 sacks, 54 quarterback hits and 27 tackles for losses. He’s one of only two players (T.J. Watt) with at least 20 sacks, 50 quarterback hits and 25 tackles for losses since the start of 2019.

– DL Kenny Clark: The 2019 Pro Bowler signed a big deal to stay in Green Bay, and he delivered his first sack of 2020 last week. He’s one of the NFL’s best young interior disruptors.

– CB Jaire Alexander: The NFL’s highest-graded cornerback so far in 2020. He’s been a true shutdown cornerback during his third season.

– OLB Rashan Gary: The second-year edge rusher is starting to come on in a big way. He has a team-high 11 pressures the last two weeks.

– S Adrian Amos: Quietly, he’s been a top-15 safety in football this season, at least by PFF grades.

– K Mason Crosby: The reliable veteran kicker hasn’t missed a field goal in 13 tries this season.

– QB Tim Boyle: The Human Victory Cigar has kneeled down successfully in five different wins this season.

– Situational offense: The Packers rank fourth in the NFL on third down and the red zone.

– Passing game: No team has a higher-graded passing game in 2020 than the Packers. Guess how teams win the Super Bowl these days? With elite passing games. The Packers have one.

– Not allowing the big play: The Packers have only allowed 33 plays of 20 or more yards in 2020, which ranks fourth in the NFL.

– Going for 100: The Packers can win their 100th game all-time against the Bears on Sunday.

– Four of last six at home: The Packers are 10-2 at home since the start of the 2019 season. They have the best home win percentage over the last two seasons, and they’ll play four of their last six games at Lambeau Field.

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Watch: It doesn’t seem like Jon Gruden is having a Happy Thanksgiving

Jon Gruden didn’t appreciate a Thanksgiving question after losing to the Chiefs this week

The Las Vegas Raiders’ coach Jon Gruden wasn’t in a playful mood during his press conference the other day.

Gruden, whose Raiders were stung late by the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 11, didn’t appreciate a question about what part of the Thanksgiving meal he loves to see on the table.

“You’re killing me with some of your questions, man,” Gruden told the inquiring reporter. “I’m just hoping I got a place to go. Right now, we lose to Kansas City, I’m lucky to have a place to go.”

Pete Carroll, Seahawks making most of extra days off in Week 12

Coach Pete Carroll and his Seattle Seahawks are making the most of the extra days off Week 12 to heal up and prepare to face the Eagles.

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The Seattle Seahawks, like many, many other teams around the league, are experiencing a number of injuries as the clubs close in on the final month of the NFL regular season.

Fortunately for the Seahawks, the schedule-makers were kind to Seattle, scheduling a Thursday game followed by a Monday-night matchup, giving the squad a bit of a mini-bye in Week 12.

Coach Pete Carroll is thankful for each extra day.

“We’re trying to take advantage of every day that the guys get another break to return,” Carroll said Tuesday. “Everybody’s banged up at this time of year, so these days are really important. So, the guys will feel better. They bounced around pretty good today. We’ll get another day off for Thanksgiving here too, so we should be in pretty good shape for this weekend.”

The Seahawks return to practice Friday and Saturday before heading to Philadelphia to square off against the Eagles in prime time Monday night.

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What you need to know: Detroit Lions vs Houston Texans on Thanksgiving Day

The Detroit Lions (4-6) are once again hosting their annual Thanksgiving Day game, and their opponent for Week 12 of the 2020 season is the Houston Texans (3-7).

The Detroit Lions (4-6) are once again hosting their annual Thanksgiving Day game, and their opponent for Week 12 of the 2020 season is the Houston Texans (3-7).

The last time these two teams met on Thanksgiving Day was back in 2012, and the game was marred by one of the all-time blunders by then Lions’ head coach Jim Schwartz. If you want to take a trip down memory lane, we recapped the game in an article earlier this year.

If you missed any of the action leading up to this week’s game, we have covered below, with links to all the relevant articles, sectioned off for convenience. Additionally, we’ve included everything you need to know for how to watch or listen to this week’s game.

How To Watch

When: Thursday, November 26th, at 12:30 p.m. EST

Where: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan

Referee: Shawn Smith

TV: CBS (National broadcast)

Broadcast crew:

  • Play-by-play: Jim Nantz
  • Color commentary: Tony Romo
  • Sideline reporter: Tracy Wolfson

How to listen

Detroit area radio: WJR 760 AM radio

  • Announcers: Dan Miller and Lomas Brown

SIRIUS: 83 (Lions), 82 (Texans)

XM: 225 (Lions), 226 (Texans), 88 (National)

Betting odds

Vegas Watch via BetMGM:

83-percent of experts are picking the Texans to win

Lions Wire game prep podcasts

Injury Updates

Roster updates

Lions Wire game prep articles

Fantasy Football

Watch: Panthers QB Teddy Bridgewater talks about his mentality

Teddy Bridgewater is expected to play this week against the Vikings, according to Panthers coach Matt Rhule.

Teddy Bridgewater is expected to play this week against the Vikings, according to Panthers coach Matt Rhule. After sitting out Sunday’s win over the Lions, that news sets Bridgewater up for a potential revenge game against the team that drafted him and later let him walk after a career-threatening knee injury.

It takes more than athletic gifts and physical toughness to make it back to the level Bridgewater has. It takes the right mindset. Yesterday during his Zoom call with the media, Bridgewater talked about his mentality and maximizing the 24 hours that he has, the same as anybody else. Watch.

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Ex-Pat who recovered Mark Sanchez’s Butt Fumble remembers Jets’ Thanksgiving blunder

Steve Gregory, the recipient of the Mark Sanchez butt fumble, still has fond memories of the iconic play on Thanksgiving night.

Mark Sanchez’s infamous Butt Fumble still haunts Jets fans, but fondly remembering the blooper has become a Thanksgiving tradition for the former Patriots player who scooped the ball up.

Steve Gregory is now the defensive backs coach for the Detroit Lions. But on Nov. 22, 2012, he was the Pat who recovered the ball after Sanchez ran into the rear end of his own teammate, Brandon Moore. Gregory then returned the Butt Fumble 32 yards for a touchdown in a 49-19 Patriots win over the Jets on Thanksgiving night.

In the moment, Gregory had no idea just how hilarious the play was — or that it would go down as one of the biggest blunders in NFL history.

“It really wasn’t until the locker room after the game I think somebody said, ‘Hey, you scored on the Butt Fumble,'” Gregory recently told USA TODAY. “I’m like, ‘What? What are you talking about?’ After the game is when it all kind of started coming together and hearing about it on the news and all that stuff.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=5&v=82RIfy-gRa4&feature=emb_logo

Eight years later, the play is still shown every Thanksgiving. It has become a holiday staple for football fans, no different than turkey and stuffing.

“Obviously, it’s great that we’re still living it,” Gregory said. “I’m going to be an old man one day talking to my grandkids and that play’s probably going to be being shown on the TV still, so I’m excited about that.”

Jets fans, of course, would rather forget the play, which began on New York’s own 31-yard line. Sanchez got the snap and was looking to hand it off to his fullback, Lex Hilliard, who had already run past him looking to block. Sanchez, with no idea what to do, decided to run with the ball himself and crashed into the butt of Moore, his right guard. The ball came loose and was returned by Gregory for a touchdown to give the Patriots a 20-0 lead.

Now, every Thanksgiving, the Gregory family reenacts the play before the final part of their holiday meal.

“My family sets up an offensive line and someone plays Vince Wilfork and someone plays Mark Sanchez,” Gregory explained, “and it’s a good little family tradition right before dessert.”