What to Look For - Week 12
While several traditions are scattered across the National Football League, few involve its annual schedule.
Two notable exceptions: The Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions host games each Thanksgiving Day.
For that reason, the record-holders and the all-time lists for individual statistics compiled on Thanksgiving include few players who didn’t play for either the Cowboys or the Lions.
This year, Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott can move into a tie for second on a list of player – all members of the Pro Football Hall of Fame – with 100 scrimmage yards in at least four consecutive Thanksgiving Day games.
To learn more about this record and for other things to watch for in Week 12 of the NFL season, read on …
ZEKE HUNGRY FOR YARDS: Last year on Thanksgiving, Dallas running back EZEKIEL ELLIOTT led the Cowboys with 137 scrimmage yards (71 rushing, 66 receiving). In three career games on the holiday, Elliott has totaled 400 scrimmage yards (133.3 per game) and three rushing touchdowns, surpassing 100 scrimmage yards in each game.
With at least 100 scrimmage yards on Thursday against Houston (4:30 PM ET, FOX), Elliott will become the first player in NFL history to record at least 100 scrimmage yards in four consecutive Thanksgiving Day games.
He would also tie Pro Football Hall of Famers MICHAEL IRVIN (four games) and BARRY SANDERS (four) for the second-most games with at least 100 scrimmage yards on the holiday in league history. Only Pro Football Hall of Famer EMMITT SMITH (eight games) has more.
The players with the most games with at least 100 scrimmage yards on Thanksgiving in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
GAMES |
|
|
Emmitt SmithHOF |
Dallas |
8 |
|
|
Michael IrvinHOF |
Dallas |
4 |
|
|
Barry SandersHOF |
Detroit |
4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ezekiel Elliott |
Dallas |
3* |
|
|
*Entering Thursday |
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With at least 30 pass attempts and zero interceptions on Thanksgiving at Detroit (12:30 PM ET, CBS), Watson will become the third player with at least 30 passing attempts and zero interceptions in six consecutive games in a single season in NFL history, joining AARON BROOKS (2003) and DEREK CARR (2018).
The players with the most consecutive games with at least 30 pass attempts and zero interceptions in a single season in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SEASON |
GAMES |
|
Aaron Brooks |
New Orleans |
2003 |
6 |
|
Derek Carr |
Oakland Raiders |
2018 |
6 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
Deshaun Watson |
Houston |
2020 |
5* |
|
*Active streak |
In 48 career games, Watson has passed for 12,599 yards and 91 touchdowns. With a touchdown pass on Thursday, he will surpass PEYTON MANNING (91 touchdown passes) and Pro Football Hall of Famer JOHNNY UNITAS (91) for the fourth-most touchdown passes by a player in his first 50 career games in NFL history.
The players with the most touchdown passes in their first 50 career games in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
TOUCHDOWN PASSES |
|
|
Dan MarinoHOF |
Miami |
114 |
|
|
Patrick Mahomes |
Kansas City |
103# |
|
|
Kurt WarnerHOF |
St. Louis Rams |
101 |
|
|
Peyton Manning |
Indianapolis |
91 |
|
|
Johnny UnitasHOF |
Baltimore Colts |
91 |
|
|
Deshaun Watson |
Houston |
91* |
|
|
*In 48 games |
|
|
|
|
#In 41 games |
|||
|
PLAYER |
TEAM(S) |
SEASONS |
|
|
Brett FavreHOF |
Green Bay, New York Jets, Minnesota |
18 |
|
|
Tom Brady |
New England |
17* |
|
|
Drew Brees |
San Diego Chargers, New Orleans |
16* |
|
|
Peyton Manning |
Indianapolis, Denver |
16 |
|
|
Eli Manning |
New York Giants |
14 |
|
|
Philip Rivers |
San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers |
14* |
|
|
*Active |
|||
#10 FOR #10: Last week, Los Angeles Chargers rookie quarterback JUSTIN HERBERT passed for a career-high 366 yards and three touchdowns with zero interceptions for a 116.5 rating, marking his fifth game with at least three touchdown passes, the most by a rookie in NFL history. Through nine games, Herbert leads all qualified rookies with 2,699 passing yards, 22 touchdown passes and a 104.7 rating this season.
On Sunday at Buffalo (1:00 PM ET, CBS), Herbert can move into the top-three for passing yards and touchdown passes by a player in his first 10 career games in NFL history. PATRICK MAHOMES is the only other player in the top three of both categories after 10 games.
The players with the most passing yards in their first 10 career games in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
PASSING YARDS |
|
|
Patrick Mahomes |
Kansas City |
3,185 |
|
|
Andrew Luck |
Indianapolis |
2,965 |
|
|
Cam Newton |
Carolina |
2,885 |
|
|
Justin Herbert |
Los Angeles Chargers |
2,699* |
|
|
Joe Burrow |
Cincinnati |
2,688 |
|
|
*In nine games |
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The players with the most touchdown passes in their first 10 career games in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
TOUCHDOWN PASSES |
|
|
Patrick Mahomes |
Kansas City |
29 |
|
|
Kurt WarnerHOF |
St. Louis Rams |
26 |
|
|
Deshaun Watson |
Houston |
24 |
|
|
Justin Herbert |
Los Angeles Chargers |
22* |
|
|
George Ratterman |
Chicago Cardinals |
21 |
|
|
*In nine games |
|||
With a rushing touchdown on Sunday against Carolina (1:00 PM ET, FOX), Cook will tie Pro Football Hall of Famer LADAINIAN TOMLINSON (11 consecutive home games) for the fourth-most consecutive home games with a rushing touchdown with the same team in NFL history.
The players with the most consecutive home games with a rushing touchdown with the same team in NFL history:
|
PLAYER |
TEAM |
SEASONS |
GAMES |
|
Emmitt SmithHOF |
Dallas |
1993-95 |
17 |
|
Curtis MartinHOF |
New England |
1995-96 |
13 |
|
Stephen Davis |
Washington |
1999-2000 |
12 |
|
LaDainian TomlinsonHOF |
San Diego Chargers |
2003-05 |
11 |
|
Dalvin Cook |
Minnesota |
2019-20 |
10* |
|
Bill Paschal |
New York Giants |
1943-45 |
10 |
|
*Active streak |
"Hail Murray" Pylon Preserved in Canton
The Pro Football Hall of Fame recently received the end zone pylon from the Week 10 instant classic between the Arizona Cardinals and the Buffalo Bills.
Thanksgiving and the NFL
When it comes to Thanksgiving Day football, NFL style, most fans first think of the Lions and the tradition that was started in 1934.