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Patriots on Thanksgiving
The Patriots have played on Thanksgiving five times in franchise history. Here's a look back at those holiday games.
In the Patriots Thanksgiving Day debut on Nov. 22, 1984, quarterback Tony Eason brought New England back from a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit, but Dallas kicker Rafael Septien booted a 23-yard field goal to give Dallas a 20-17 victory.
Three field goals by Adam Vinatieri was all the Patriots could muster as the Lions scored 21 fourth-quarter points in a 34-9 win on Nov. 23, 2000. Tom Brady made his first apperance and completed his first NFL pass that day.
A 27-yard interception return for a touchdown by LB Tedy Bruschi helped the Patriots post their first Thanksgiving Day win, as they edged the Lions 20-12 on Nov. 28, 2002.
Quarterback Tom Brady (12) of the New England Patriots spoons a sample from the skillet after winning the Phil Simms iron award for play against the Detroit Lions November 25, 2010 at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan. (AP Photo / Al Messerschmidt)
Patriots WR Deion Branch caught two of Tom Brady's four TD passes, including a 79-yarder for a score, lifting New England to a 45-24 win on Nov. 25, 2010. Safety Devin McCourty had two interceptions and finished with 79 return yards.Â
The Patriots tied a franchise record for most points in a quarter when they put up 35 points in the second stanza in a 49-14 victory over the Jets on Nov. 22, 2010. New England scored three TDs in a span of 52 seconds, on a Shane Vereen 83-yard TD reception followed by fumble returns by Steve Gregory and Julian Edelman.Â
