Thanksgiving typically means three things – family, food and football. Of course, the order of importance varies from person to person. This year, Eagles fans get an extra treat to go along with their Thanksgiving dessert (so try not to load up on pie). For the first time since 2008, and just the sixth time in franchise history, the Eagles will lace them up on Thanksgiving Day. With first place in the NFC East on the line against the Dallas Cowboys, it's sure to be a #BirdDay to remember.
With the big game just a day away, here's a quick look at some of the Eagles' all-time best individual Thanksgiving performances. Gobble, gobble ….
2008 - Donovan McNabb
No. 5 put on a show in the Eagles' first Thanksgiving game since 1989 and the first ever to be held at Lincoln Financial Field. McNabb completed 27-of-39 passes for 260 yards and four touchdowns against Arizona. McNabb helped the Eagles jump out to a 21-0 lead, and the Eagles never looked back, beating the Cardinals 48-20. McNabb's 2008 season turned out to be one of his best as an Eagle, as he set franchise single-season marks in completions (345), attempts (571) and yards (3,916).
2008 - Brian Westbrook
McNabb wasn't alone in his stellar 2008 Turkey Day game. Brian Westbrook's performance against Arizona was a microcosm of his entire career with the Eagles. Mr. Do It All found the end zone four times (twice on the ground and twice through the air), accounting for 130 yards from scrimmage.
1989 - Eagles Defense
This list was created to highlight the Eagles' best individual performances, but the Eagles defensive unit was just too strong in their 1989 walloping of Dallas to ignore. The Eagles secured their first ever shutout of the Cowboys, holding the Dallas offense to just 191 total yards. Rookie Troy Aikman was held to just 54 passing yards and was intercepted three times in the Eagles' 27-0 victory. The Eagles defeated the Cowboys again later in the season (pictured below), as Dallas went on to finish the season 1-15.
2008 - Brian Dawkins
Decked out in the black jersey, Brian Dawkins flew all over the field on Thanksgiving night. Weapon X forced a fumble and recorded his 34th career interception, tying Bill Bradley and Eric Allen for first place on the franchise's all-time list. The 2008 season turned out to be Dawkins' final season with the Eagles, but he made sure to shine bright in the national spotlight during the Eagles victory over the Cardinals.
1968 - K/P Sam Baker
The 1968 matchup between the Eagles and Detroit Lions wasn't a game for the offensive-minded fans. Detroit outgained the Eagles 168-161 in total yards, but the Lions also turned the ball over four times. The only scoring on the day was provided by Eagles kicker Sam Baker, who went 4/4 on field goal attempts. Baker also handled the punting duties for the Eagles, averaging 42.3 yards per punt.
