Philadelphia Eagles Thanksgiving games are a good way to make an already special day even more so. Unfortunately, the Eagles will not get the chance to play on Thanksgiving in 2024. However, it’s a good chance to go down memory lane. The Eagles have been playing 5-2 on Thanksgiving games since 1939.
The first Eagles Thanksgiving games were back in 1939 and 1940 against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Both games were close, with the Eagles winning in 1939 and the Steelers in 1940. Since then, the Eagles have played five times on Turkey Day, and many of those games have been fun days for Eagles fans. Here are three Eagles’ Thanksgiving games that ended in domination.
3 Eagles Thanksgiving Day Games That Ended in Domination
1989 Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
Everyone remembers the “Bountygate” scandal with the New Orleans Saints some years back. However, many may not remember what people call the “Bounty Bowl” back in 1989. The 7-4 Eagles traveled to Dallas on Thanksgiving to take on a 1-11 Dallas Cowboys team.
The game was more like a giant brawl, with both teams determined to inflict more damage on the other. The Cowboys Kicker at the time, Luis Zendejas, was knocked out during the game by a hit from former Eagles linebacker Jessie Small. Multiple on-field fights and late hits lived up to the Eagles and Cowboys rivalry.
Cowboys Coach Jimmy Johnson after the game accused Eagles head coach Buddy Ryan of placing bounties on Cowboys players to injure them. However, the NFL never found any evidence of the claim. Nonetheless, the Eagles dismantled the Cowboys 27-0 and enjoyed a nice Thanksgiving victory.
2008 Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles
The next Eagles Thanksgiving game would be almost 20 years later and would be a home game for the Eagles. The 7-4 Arizona Cardinals would take on the 5-5-1 Eagles in a game the Eagles desperately needed to win. The Cardinals were a high-powered offense led by quarterback Kurt Warner and receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.
The Eagles got out of the gate fast with a 21-0 lead on the back of three straight touchdowns for Biran Westbrook. Quarterback Donovan McNabb threw for 269 yards and four touchdowns and zero turnovers on the day. However, the star of the show was the Eagles’ defense led by Brian Dawkins. The defense totaled three interceptions and a fumble recovery on the day, with Dawkins getting an interception and a forced fumble that game.
The Eagles would decimate the Cardinals and win 48-20, but these teams would meet again in the NFC Championship. Although the Eagles won on Thanksgiving, they would end up losing their ticket to the Super Bowl to the Cardinals.
2014 Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
In the most recent of the Eagles Thanksgiving games, it was a 25-year reunion of the ‘Bounty Bowl’. The Eagles with head coach Chip Kelly, were coming off a big win against the Tennessee Titans and were traveling to Dallas who had just beat division rival, the New York Giants, a few days earlier. This matchup would be crucial for both teams to decide the NFC East race.
Eagles quarterback Mark Sanchez would start the game off hot, scoring a rushing and passing touchdown to go up 14-0. The Cowboys would hang around after scoring a touchdown, but the game would become a field goal fest. All until LeSean McCoy would bust a 38-yard touchdown run to give the Eagles a 30-10 lead in the third quarter.
It was another dominant defensive day for the Eagles, picking off Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo twice. The Eagles outgained the Cowboys 473 to 292 and would win 33-10. It was another rout that gave the Cowboys another not-so-happy Thanksgiving.
Main Photo: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
