It’s that time of year again! No, not the time where the Houston Texans host yet another early Saturday afternoon wildcard playoff game. Looks like that streak will finally come to an end. It’s time for the Thanksgiving tradition that everybody loves. Watching NFL football after a large turkey dinner. After giving thanks of course. The kind of dinner where you may not move from your favorite spot on the couch because it hurts too much. However, I can’t help but talk about something else that has recently caused me pain on this sacred Holiday. The teams that are playing. The Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys have long held the tradition of hosting a Thanksgiving Day football game. Lately, these two teams have left a lot to be desired. Is it time for a change?
The Lions Lost Their Roar
The Lions have hosted a game on Thanksgiving since 1934. It has been a Thanksgiving Day tradition that many fans around the country have grown to love over many decades. Sure, things were great in the ’90s. The Lions had NFL All-Time great Barry Sanders who was a stop whatever you’re doing and watch kind of player. Arguably the best running back to ever play the game. They had Herman Moore, one of the league’s top receivers at that time. They also had…Scott Mitchell? Okay, beggars can’t be choosers.
Today’s Detroit Lions look much different. After Calvin Johnson retired from football early, as Barry Sanders did. Many questioned the Lions organization for these generational players leaving the game rather than try and continue to play. They have Matthew Stafford, who late in his prime, is as inconsistent as the team he plays for over the last decade-plus. Their head coach Matt Patricia is sinking fast with a 13-28-1 overall record in three seasons with the team. The Lions used to be fun to watch. Now I cringe every time they show the sideline and show Patricia with his pencil stuck in his hat. I’m convinced he doesn’t even use it and he only puts it there for intelligent aesthetics.
America’s Team No More
The Cowboys weren’t just a great team in the ’90s. They were a pop culture phenomenon. They had three Super Bowl victories and star power that rivaled the cast of Seinfeld. The Thanksgiving Day game with the Cowboys was a national event. Usually taking place in the late afternoon slot where viewership was at the highest. This was before the NFL added a third game to the slate. Names like Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin, and Deion Sanders commanded your attention. Four Hall of Fame players from the same team, on the field at the same time. In the world of football, it doesn’t get much better than that for your entertainment.
Fast forward to today and you have an underachieving franchise for the better part of the last 20 years. There’s been plenty of star power with no substantial results. The Cowboys haven’t been to a conference championship since their last Super Bowl run in 1995. They have a new head coach in Mike McCarthy trying to maneuver his way through this tumultuous season. Dallas has had multiple injuries at the quarterback position. They are also members of, at this point in the season, the worst division in NFL history. Is everyone pumped for a battle between to 3-7 teams fighting for the division lead?
Time For a Change
The NFL needs to put tradition aside and seriously consider changing the slate for Thanksgiving Day. They have had no problem changing many aspects of the game including rules, scoring, and even adding another playoff team for each conference. Why can’t we change the schedule to make this wonderful holiday even better? They could schedule a re-match of the previous year’s conference championships for example. It would never be a guarantee that it would pin two winning teams against each other. But it would at least be a better storyline than, “Will this be Matt Patricia’s last game with the Lions, and will he finally break that pencil once and for all?”
Who knows if the NFL will ever change the Thanksgiving schedule. They would no doubt have strong opposition in Dallas and Detroit. In the meantime, I am going to parlay my $3 winnings from this past week into this Thursday to keep things exciting. Houston’s defense anyone? Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
For more coverage on the NFL and all things sports go to Belly Up Sports or follow @bellyupsports. For more on the NFL and PGA follow me @jaybrink4. See my last article on what division is the best in the NFL.
2 Comments
I have thought this for awhile! I think the NFL should spread the love around, mix it up from year to year… make it exciting and interesting!
Yes, ditto on changing that worn out “tradition”! What better year than 2020 with all the crazy stuff that we have encountered already, to re-evaluate the way they choose the teams that entertain us on one of the best “football” watching days of the year with family! Besides, a change would certainly help us combat the real groggy effects of tryptophan after the big meal of stuffing ourselves with turkey on the big day!