Happy Thanksgiving! With it being Thanksgiving Day, that means NFL fans have three games to keep them busy before, during, and after dinner on Thursday, beginning with the Packers vs. Lions at 1 p.m. ET and ending with the Ravens vs. Bengals at 8:20 p.m. Sandwiched in between is the Cowboys vs. Chiefs at 4:30 p.m.
The Washington Commanders do not play on Thanksgiving. However, Washington has played on Thanksgiving Day many times over the years, most of those games against Dallas. The last time Washington played on Thanksgiving was two years ago. The Cowboys embarrassed the Commanders 45-10, and defensive coordinator Jack Del Rio was fired afterward. It was so embarrassing that Dallas quarterback Dak Prescott was actually eating a turkey leg on the sideline.
Nov 23, 2023; Arlington, Texas, USA; Dallas Cowboys Dak Prescott (4) eats a turkey leg after the Cowboys victory over the Washington Commanders at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY SportsThere have been good memories for Washington on Thanksgiving, though. Perhaps none better than on November 22, 2012. The then-Redskins entered that game 4-6 against the Cowboys. Things started slowly, with the Cowboys taking a 3-0 lead into the second quarter. Then, Washington jumped on Dallas when rookie quarterback Robert Griffin III hit a deep ball to Aldrick Robinson to give them a 7-3 lead.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementAfter recovering a Dallas fumble, the Redskins score again, it's 14-3. Washington forced a Dallas punt, and Griffin then found Pierre Garcon for a touchdown, and it was 21-3. A DeAngelo Hall interception would give the ball back to the Redskins, and Griffin finds Santana Moss for his third touchdown of the day, and the score was 28-3.
Early in the fourth quarter, Griffin strikes again, throwing a touchdown pass to Niles Paul to make it 35-13. The Cowboys would rally late to make it interesting, but this day was all about Washington. Redskins' fans celebrated, as they had finally found a franchise quarterback. Robert Griffin III was the talk of the NFL. Then-owner Dan Snyder reportedly celebrated with Griffin — and only Griffin — on the flight home.
Washington would go on to win its final seven games that season and make the playoffs. Sadly, Griffin would suffer a second knee injury in a playoff loss to the Seahawks, this time a torn ACL. That would be the end of the good times for Griffin and the Redskins.
But, for one day, everything was right for Washington. There have been several memorable Thanksgiving moments for the Redskins/Commanders/Football Team, but this day stands above the rest.
What's your favorite Washington Thanksgiving memory?
This article originally appeared on Commanders Wire: Washington Commanders: Remembering best Thanksgiving Day performance
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