Jackson Lauber ’25

Staff Writer

Thanksgiving Day Football: a classic American tradition dating back to 1920, occurring annually except during World War 2. The Thanksgiving Day slate of games often includes both the Lions and the Cowboys, and this year is no different. Thanksgiving Day 2020 features the Bills at the Lions, the Giants at the Cowboys, and in primetime, the Patriots at the Vikings. From an in-division clash to a crucial game for New England, the Thanksgiving games certainly are going to be must-watches. 

Bills @ Lions

Following an OT loss to the Vikings at home, the Bills are faced with a must-win scenario. The 

Bills were on top of the AFC East just two weeks ago, with a formidable record of 6-1, but have lost their last two games, dropping to third in their division. Given their position in the very strong AFC East, the Bills are in dangerous territory, with the very real possibility of falling far behind in the division. While both of the Bills’ next two opponents, the Browns (Nov. 20) and the Lions (Thanksgiving Day), sit at a meek 3-6, the Browns are unpredictable, and the Lions have been improving, hoping to pose a challenge to the team that most thought would win the Super Bowl before the season.

Giants @ Cowboys

Similar to the Bills, both the Giants and Cowboys are locked in a tight division race. Following the Eagles’ recent loss to the Commanders, both squads should be looking for a statement win on Thanksgiving night to potentially move up in the division. The Cowboys narrowly won the first meeting between these teams, but the Giants hold the edge in the NFC East standings by one game. 

Patriots @ Vikings

Following a statement overtime win over the Bills, the Vikings are looking to grab wins over their next two opponents, the Cowboys and the Patriots, to notch a 10-1 record by the end of Thanksgiving. The Vikings have excelled in close games this season, winning virtually all of their games by one score or less. Meanwhile, the Patriots have been marred with a QB controversy, as it seems as if they began succeeding when led by fourth-round rookie Bailey Zappe, as opposed to their then-injured starter, former first-round pick Mac Jones. Despite this controversy, the Patriots have played well in the past few weeks, and will look to derail Justin Jefferson and the Vikings in Minnesota.

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