DETROIT — After nearly a decade as Thanksgiving pushovers, the Detroit Lions have started playing their best in their holiday showcase.
Matthew Stafford threw for five touchdown passes — three to Calvin Johnson — and the Lions routed the Philadelphia Eagles 45-14 on Thursday. It was Detroit's third consecutive victory on Thanksgiving after nine straight losses.
"One of my favorite games to play in every year," Stafford said. "It's a big-time tradition being a Dallas kid growing up. I always watched football on Thanksgiving. I had a vested interest in it — it was a different team, but Thanksgiving football was always a big deal to me and my family.