Turkey, Cranberries and Football-three annual Thankgsiving Day traditions that have defined Turkey Day in America.
And the NFL is looking to keep that tradition as strong as ever with three huge games today.
Houston Texans vs Detroit Lions
The Lions (4-6) are at the bottom of their division in the NFC North, but with quarterback Matt Stafford having passed for nearly 3,000 yards through 10 games and wide receiver Calvin "Megatron" Johnson having caught for more than 1,000 yards this season, this team will provide its share of challenges to the 9-1 Texans, who they will host in Detroit.
However, Houston, the team with the league's best record, is 4-0 on the road this season, and having won four straight, the Texans are looking towards making the NFL playoffs in back-to-back seasons for the first time in franchise history.
"We're not thinking about playoffs or anything else," Lions coach Jim Schwartz told the Associated Press. "We're thinking about the Houston Texans and that's plenty for us to think about right now."
The game is currently underway as of 1: 09 p.m. EST, with the Lions ahead, 7-0.
Dallas Cowboys vs Washington Redskins
This battle of NFC East rivals could have playoff implications, with a win for Dallas (5-5) putting them a half-game behind the division-leading and reigning Super Bowl Champion New York Giants (6-4) while the Redskins (4-6) would need a win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
And in a marquee match up, celebrated Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo will go head-to-head with the league's most stellar rookie, Redskins quarterback Robert Griffin III. The man known to football fans as "RG3" has been nothing short of spectacular over 10 games, making 67.1 percent of his throws and sporting a remarkable 12:3 touchdown-to-interception ratio. In addition, he has rushed for 613 yards and six touchdowns. But he will face stiff competition today in the always-game Romo and linebacker DeMarcus Ware, who has 10 sacks this season and would love a chance to ground the ever-kinetic RGIII.
Kickoff starts at 4:25 p.m. EST
New England Patriots vs New York Jets
With their playoff hopes on life support, the Jets (4-6) are hoping to get a big game from quarterback Mark Sanchez. But that might be easier said than done, as Sanchez's season has been an up-and-down rollercoaster this season, the starter already with 13 turnovers on the season and having completed less than 50 percent of his passes in five games. But after coming off a strong performance in New York's 27-13 win over St. Louis, this might be the lift that Sanchez needs.
He'll need al the help he can get as he faces off against superstar quarterback Tom Brady and the 7-3 Patriots, who stand alone atop the AFC East as they aim to get themselves another step closer to the division crown with a win against one of their most hated rivals.
Game time starts at 8:20 p.m. EST
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