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Denver Broncos: Top 4 performances in Thanksgiving games

By Travis Wakeman

IRVING, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Running back Ron Dayne #33 of the Denver Broncos is tackled by Roy Williams #31 of the Dallas Cowboys on November 24, 2005 at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
IRVING, TX - NOVEMBER 24: Running back Ron Dayne #33 of the Denver Broncos is tackled by Roy Williams #31 of the Dallas Cowboys on November 24, 2005 at Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /
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Denver Broncos
PITTSBURGH, PA – NOVEMBER 18: Charlie Johnson #12 of the Denver Broncos hand the ball off to Otis Armstrong #24 against the Pittsburgh Steelers during an NFL football game on November 18, 1973 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Johnson played for the Broncos from 1972-75. (Photo by Focus on Sport/Getty Images) /

Otis Armstrong

The Broncos faced the Lions on Thanksgiving Day in 1974 and running back Otis Armstrong was key in the team’s 31-27 victory that day.

Armstrong was taken with the ninth overall pick in the 1973 NFL draft and spent his entire eight-year playing career in Denver. The 1974 season was by far the best of his career as he ran for over 1 ,400 yards.

Against the Lions, he piled up 144 of those yards on 24 carries and scored a touchdown in the game from one yard out. He also led the team with four receptions for 32 yards in the game.

The win put the Broncos at 6-5-1 on that year and was part of a three-game winning streak. However, the team would miss out on the playoffs.

Armstrong played through the 1980 season and finished his career with over 4,400 yards rushing and 25 career touchdowns. He still ranks fourth in team history in rushing yardage. The Thanksgiving game was the third-best rushing performance of his career in terms of yardage gained. The other two games that eclipsed that both came during the 1974 season.

Also, as a fun fact, the Broncos have faced the Lions on Thanksgiving Day three times. This was the only game the Broncos won.

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