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The NFL on Thanksgiving is full of tradition, and 2015 was no different. There of course were the longtime Thanksgiving participants, the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions, hosting their games. And even the prime time game (only in existence since 2006) featured the NFL’s oldest rivalry, as the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers squared off at Lambeau Field. Each game featured an upset or season-changing moment. The Lions started off Thanksgiving as always, this time facing off against the Philadelphia Eagles. With a chance to get back in the NFC East race, the Eagles offense was no more effective with Mark Sanchez than it was with Sam Bradford at quarterback. The Lions won in a 45–14 rout. Next up were the Cowboys and the undefeated Carolina Panthers. The Cowboys lost even more than the game, as quarterback Tony Romo injured his collarbone for the second time this season. Romo had already missed seven games due to injury. The 33–14 loss sent the Cowboys to 3–8 and likely out of the NFC East race. Finally, the Bears and Packers kicked off on Brett Favre Night in Green Bay. The longtime quarterback’s iconic No. 4 was retired at halftime, but it was the Bears who stole the show. Their 17–13 win was just their third at Lambeau since 2006. The upset also set a ratings record for the evening Thanksgiving game, drawing nearly 28 million viewers.
