All good things come to those who wait.
Thanksgiving 2019 was a special day for all Buffalo Bills fans. Announcing themselves on the world’s stage, and arguably on the greatest American holiday of the year, Josh Allen & co. went into Jerry’s World and trounced “America’s Team,” 26-15.
It took 25 years for the tricky Buffalo Bills to make it back to the Turkey Day showcase game. I’m not a math guy, but it was also 26 years since the Bills lost their 4th straight Super Bowl, the ladder two coming to the hands of the Dallas Cowboys.
The in-between times from 1993 - 2019 were highlighted by snapping plastic tables at the tailgate, & lowlighted by the Music City Miracle.
So, when I say good things come to those who wait, I mean it. Because I’m a Bills fan, and I gave years of my fanhood to mediocrity and below average 16 week seasons.
Today, New York’s most accomplished football team play their third game since 2019 on Thanksgiving, against Fat-Thursday regulars, the Detroit Lions.
The first of three kick-off’s on this glorious day of giving thanks, we have an early 12:30pm Eastern Time start from Ford Field…a strategy is required for this type of situation.
If you’re still young and spry you probably went out last night. All good things must come to an end too, like your ability to manage a night out with being around your parents and relatives the next day before noon.
Don’t worry, before the Bills hit their 8th win on the season, the Macy’s Day Thanksgiving Parade is on, only to be followed up by The National Dog Show. You don’t need to do anything, just get yourself on the couch amongst your family members, and make a few comments once in a while about the oversized floats, and well-behaved canines.
Once 12:30pm comes though, it’s time to prove to yourself you’ve got that dog in you.
The 1st game, particularly after a late night is about sticking and moving. You want to enjoy yourself, it's Thanksgiving after all, but you need to stay nimble, we’ve got a long day ahead of us.
Mix in a few appetizers, and possibly a glass of white wine. Staying light on your feet is critical to your early game success, like former Bills return-man, Roscoe Parrish; you need to be shifty and agile as you work your way toward Turkey cutting. It’s not the time for heavy beverages, steer clear of that one cousin or random guy that’s pushing his home made craft pumpkin IPA on you. You don’t need to pair the charcuterie board with a 500 calorie beer bomb.
Now it’s time to eat. The 4:30pm middle game is the only divisional matchup today, and it’s a full meal. Two teams within the NFC Beast will battle with identical 7-3 records.
This rivalry demands a full plate of seconds, as the Giants will look to score their first offensive touchdown on Thanksgiving since 1938.
With a stomach full of stuffing and gravy, it’s time to head back to the couch to watch Daniel Jones’ offense, that looks like it’s operating from 1938, attempt to squeak past Dallas’ defense.
This is when the pro’s are separated from the joe’s. You need to get comfortable, like Del Griffith flying coach to Chicago. If you haven’t already, you need to get some sweats on, or at the very least, unbutton your slacks, it’s Thanksgiving, let it all hang out.
This is a marathon, not a sprint, and our concluding game of what’s undoubtedly been a tremendous Thanksgiving, has the spotlight on two quarterbacks that couldn’t sprint any faster than you laying in a food coma.
Whether you know it or not, the Thanksgiving leftover sandwich has been running after you all day like you were at the combine. But by now, like Mac Jones and Kirk Cousins, your best bet at a hasty gallop, looks more like a slow jog.
So as we watch future Hall of Famer in Justin Jefferson…(how the hell did he do this?) continue to make more improbable catches, and you think about the incredible amount of food, booze, and good times that you’ve consumed these last 24 hours, remember to give thanks. Because we've waited 364 days for Thanksgiving and football to come together, and after today, we'll have to wait for 364 more days for it to come back.
Thank you football.