Many NFL fans were dissatisfied with the level of football on display after two straight low-scoring games. Some people have even considered skipping the Arizona Cardinals vs New Orleans Saints game in Week 7.
But there have been many great Thursday Night Football matches throughout NFL history. The top three are listed below.
Thursday Night Football hasn’t met expectations thus far in the 2022 NFL season. This was particularly clear in the previous two Thursday Night Football contests, in which the Washington Commanders defeated the Chicago Bears 12-7 and the Indianapolis Colts defeated the Denver Broncos 12-9.
Los Angeles Rams vs San Francisco 49ers (2017)
The Los Angeles Rams defeated the San Francisco 49ers 41-39 back in 2017, which continues to be the TNF game with the most points ever.
Although L.A. held a 34-20 advantage at one point, this game couldn’t have been any closer as both teams managed to score at least six points in each of the four quarters.
The Niners’ late comeback was spearheaded by quarterback Brian Hoyer, and Carlos Hyde punched it in to make the score 41-39. San Francisco attempted a two-point convert, but it was unsuccessful. They recovered the onside kick to heighten the suspense, but Los Angeles ultimately won after turning the ball over on downs.
New England Patriots vs New York Giants (2007)
During their Week 17 matchup on TNF against the eventual Super Bowl champions, the New York Giants, the New England Patriots and Tom Brady finished their undefeated regular season that year with a record of 16-0.
In the fourth quarter of the game at Metlife Stadium, the Patriots were trailing by 15 points, putting their perfect season in jeopardy. Tom Brady, though, did what he does best and guided New England to a legendary comeback triumph.
Brady threw his 50th touchdown pass of the year during this game, but a month later, after Eli Manning defeated Brady to win the Super Bowl, the Giants would exact revenge.
Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions (2015)
In 2015, Aaron Rodgers completed a remarkable comeback in classic Rodgers fashion as the Green Bay Packers defeated the Detroit Lions 27-23 on Thursday Night Football.
Early in the third quarter, Matt Stafford had given the Lions a 20-0 lead; but in the second half, Rodgers and the Packers scored 27 points, including a Hail Mary touchdown throw to win the game. Rodgers’ 61-yard pass to Richard Rodgers, which has been dubbed “The Miracle in Motown,” has become a legendary NFL moment and one of the top plays of Rodgers’ career to date.
