Top-scoring NFL Thanksgiving matchups: Record points by a single team and total points in the holiday's history

Thanksgiving consistently lives up to expectations. This includes the mashed potatoes generously covered in gravy, grandma's famous pecan pie, or the abundance of leftovers to enjoy in the days after the celebration, making it a highly anticipated occasion for the majority of Americans. 

Oh, and the football isn't bad either. 

NFL rules reign supreme on Thursday nights during the season, but on the final Thursday of November, they command the entire day. This holiday features a trio of games, kicking off early and running all day, offering entertainment as loved ones convene for a celebratory meal. 

As spectators consume large quantities of food, numerous teams have achieved remarkable statistics on the field. Thanksgiving has been host to many outstanding offensive performances. 

Which NFL player has accumulated the most points on Thanksgiving Day? Below is the complete compilation of the highest-scoring games played on the holiday. 

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Highest scoring NFL game on Thanksgiving

Miami owns the record for the most points scored in a Thanksgiving game in the NFL. In 1977, the Dolphins walloped the St. Louis Cardinals 55-14 in St. Louis for the win. 

At that moment, it established the franchise's highest point total in a single game. This record stood for more than four decades until the 2023 Dolphins achieved 70 points against the Broncos. This not only represents a new Miami record but also ties for the second-highest score ever recorded by a team. 

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Miami's quarterback, Bob Griese, had a dominant performance against St. Louis, throwing for six touchdowns and accumulating 207 passing yards. He notably connected with wide receiver Nat Moore for three of those scores.

The Dolphins' offense achieved over 500 total yards, bolstered by a ground game that gained 295 yards, marking the most remarkable offensive performance in Thanksgiving NFL history. 

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While the Dolphins hold the record for the highest point total on Thanksgiving, they're not the only team to achieve a 50-point game during the holiday. 

A total of four teams have achieved a score of 50 or more points: the 1977 Dolphins, the 1927 Cleveland Bulldogs, the 1952 Lions, and the 1980 Cowboys. 

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Top-scoring NFL Thanksgiving matchup 

The '51 Detroit squad contributed to the highest point total ever recorded in a Thanksgiving Day game. The Lions and Packers collectively scored 87 points during Detroit's 52-35 victory. 

Following that was the 1986 Packers-Lions contest, a 44-40 victory for Green Bay. The combined 84 points stand as the second-highest total ever recorded on Thanksgiving Day.

A year after that, the Vikings and Cowboys together amassed 82 points in a 44-38 overtime victory for Minnesota in 1987. The Vikings matched that scoring output twice more in the 1990s. A total of 82 points were recorded in 1995 during a 44-38 defeat against the Lions, and once more in 1998 in a 46-36 triumph over the Cowboys. 

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