49ers, Cowboys & Packers claim Thanksgiving wins

DaRon Bland and Dak Prescott each ate a turkey leg after Dallas' win - Prescott even had some during the game

Dates: 7 September 2023 - 7 January 2024
BBC coverage: Listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra and the BBC Sport website every Sunday, with Buffalo Bills v Philadelphia Eagles on 26 November, plus Miami Dolphins v New York Jets on Friday, 24 November.

The San Francisco 49ers rounded off the NFL's Thanksgiving triple-header with a 31-13 win at the Seattle Seahawks.

DaRon Bland set an NFL record as the Cowboys won 45-10 at home to the Washington Commanders.

Earlier on Thursday, the Green Bay Packers upset the in-form Detroit Lions by claiming a 29-22 away win.

Detroit have hosted a game on Thanksgiving every year since 1934, and the Lions and Green Bay having met more times than any other teams (22).

Dallas began hosting Thanksgiving games in 1966 and only twice since then have 'America's Team' not played on the holiday.

This year's games will be followed by the first NFL game to be played on Black Friday, as the New York Jets host the Miami Dolphins.

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Purdy (second right) and McCaffrey (right) were among the 49ers who enjoyed some traditional Thanksgiving food during their post-game interview

San Francisco led 24-3 at half-time after three rushing touchdowns, two of which were scored by Christian McCaffrey in the second quarter.

Seattle made a positive start to the second half, as Brock Purdy's pass was deflected to Jordyn Brooks, who ran in a 12-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Although the Seahawks added a field goal to make it 24-13, the 49ers sealed victory as quarterback Purdy made a 28-yard pass down the middle to Brandon Aiyuk to finish with 209 passing yards, one touchdown and one interception.

After three straight losses, the 49ers have won their last three, putting them top of the NFC West with an 8-3 record.

Cowboys and Packers on the rise

The Salvation Army donation kettle has become part of Dallas' Thanksgiving celebrations and this year they left some turkey legs inside - which KaVontae Turpin and Dak Prescott sampled after the former's touchdown

Dallas have been dominant at home this season and that continued as they led 20-10 by half-time before scoring 25 points in the last quarter to finish with six touchdowns.

Quarterback Dak Prescott passed for 331 yards and four touchdowns, the longest a 34-yard connection with KaVontae Turpin with six minutes left.

Moments later second-year cornerback Bland returned an interception for a touchdown for the fifth time this season - a new NFL record.

Dallas are now 8-3 but look destined to miss out on home advantage heading into the play-offs as the Philadelphia Eagles top the NFC East with a 9-1 record - the best in the NFL.

Turkey and football are two of America's biggest Thanksgiving traditionsCountry music legend Dolly Parton performed the half-time show at Dallas' AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas

Detroit came into week 12 with an 8-2 record - their best start to a season since 1962 - but they had lost their previous six on Thanksgiving and were 20-6 down after Green Bay scored three touchdowns in the first quarter.

One of those was from a 27-yard fumble return by Jonathan Owens after one of three fumbles by Lions quarterback Jared Goff, who was sacked three times by Rashan Gary.

David Montgomery forced his way into the end zone at the start of the second half to give Detroit hope at 23-14 but Packers quarterback Jordan Love then found Christian Watson for his third touchdown pass.

While Detroit are still top the NFC North, Green Bay are now 5-6 and back in the play-off hunt after their first back-to-back wins of the season.

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