The Buffalo Bills have had some memorable moments on Thanksgiving over the years, especially since they've played on the holiday frequently since quarterback Josh Allen was drafted.
Throughout history, there have been some notable highlights worth revisiting as the team instead has a bye week this season.
With that, here are the top 5 Bills Thanksgiving Moments...
Jim Kelly 15-Yard Touchdown
In 1994 the Bills were coming off the team's most successful run in the franchise's history, having gone to four consecutive Super Bowls from 1990 to 1993.
During a Thanksgiving day game the following season, quarterback Jim Kelly went on a run of his own.
The four-time defending AFC Champs squared off against the Detroit Lions in one of a number of Thanksgiving matchups between the two clubs. The Bills would fall 35-21 in the contest, and Kelly would go 29-of-35 passes for 273 yards, with three total touchdowns, and two interceptions.
But the biggest play of the day came when Kelly looked more like current QB Josh Allen, taking off for a 15-yard run and diving into the endzone for a touchdown.
Josh Allen Overpowers Cowboys
The Cowboys history with Buffalo is well documented and dubious on account of beating the Bills in back-to-back Super Bowl matchups, but the two teams also have squared off on Thanksgiving a number of times in the past as well.
Among the hurdles and Superman plays Josh Allen has become known for, one that stands out from early on in his career was a rushing play during the two teams' Thanksgiving contest in 2019 that the Bills would win 25-16.
The game was competitive and full of playmaking and highlights, and Allen would not be denied on the road to victory.
He lost the ball beneath the pile on a bad snap at the line on a 4th-and-1 in the second quarter (ruled a backward pass), only to reach down and take the ball back from out beneath Cowboys defenders, charging forward and getting the first down.
Devin Singletary Trick Play Touchdown
While we're on the topic of Thanksgiving 2019, there are plenty of plays to choose from, but another one that invoked memorable excitement was when then-offensive coordinator Brian Daboll dialed up a trick play for then-Bills running back Devin Singletary.
Right after Allen's power through the pile, receiver Andre Roberts would take a handoff from the QB before handing it off again to receiver John Brown, who would then throw a 28-yard touchdown toss to Singletary.
Jim Kelly 27-yard Touchdown Pass
With the Bills set to face the Lions coming out of the bye week, it's worth noting the history between the two clubs. They've faced each other several times on Thanksgiving in the past with the Lions winning, then Allen and company won a competitive matchup between the teams in 2022.
The first incarnation of the Bills logo and uniforms, when the team was founded, was actually even based on the Lions, as Ralph Wilson had been a minority owner of the Detroit franchise before his ownership in Buffalo.
Another memorable moment on Thanksgiving came in the 1994 matchup, in which Jim Kelly threw a 27-yard dart into the hands of tight end Pete Metzelaars.
A Wholesome Thanksgiving Day Moment
The tandem of Allen and receiver Stefon Diggs produced many memorable moments on the field, and one of the most wholesome, and their friendship also produced a special one for the Bills and fans while preparing for what would be a 28-25 win against the Lions on Thanksgiving Day 2022.
