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Denver Broncos: Ranking each of team’s Thanksgiving Day victories

By Travis Wakeman

DENVER - NOVEMBER 26: Running back Knowshow Moreno #27 of the Denver Broncos makes an eight yard pass reception and is tackled by Aaron Rouse #26 of the New York Giants on the one yard line during NFL action at Invesco Field at Mile High on November 26, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. Moreno rushed one yard for a touchdown on the next play to give the Broncos a 13-0 second quarter lead over the Giants. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
DENVER - NOVEMBER 26: Running back Knowshow Moreno #27 of the Denver Broncos makes an eight yard pass reception and is tackled by Aaron Rouse #26 of the New York Giants on the one yard line during NFL action at Invesco Field at Mile High on November 26, 2009 in Denver, Colorado. Moreno rushed one yard for a touchdown on the next play to give the Broncos a 13-0 second quarter lead over the Giants. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) /
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DETROIT – NOVEMBER 01: A Detroit Lions helmet sits on the sidelines during the game against the St. Louis Rams at Ford Field on November 1, 2009, in Detroit, Michigan. The Rams defeated the Lions 17-10. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/Getty Images)
DETROIT – NOVEMBER 01: A Detroit Lions helmet sits on the sidelines during the game against the St. Louis Rams at Ford Field on November 1, 2009, in Detroit, Michigan. The Rams defeated the Lions 17-10. (Photo by Mark Cunningham/Getty Images) /

November 28, 1974 vs. Detroit Lions

The 1974 Lions were a much better football team than the one that takes the field today and they came into this game with the Broncos holding a 6-5 record.

This game was played at old Tiger Stadium, an outdoor venue that housed Detroit’s baseball team as well as the Lions, who started play there in 1941. This was the last season for the Lions in that stadium.

It was also the Broncos’ first-ever win on Thanksgiving. The Broncos lost all four of their Thanksgiving Day games while playing in the AFL but they were able to outlast the Lions on this day by a score of 31-27.

Detroit had the lead at halftime but the Broncos exploded with a 21-point third quarter. The team also had a strong rushing performance from Otis Armstrong in this game as he rushed for 144 yards and a touchdown on 24 carries.

The Broncos scored four 1-yard touchdowns in this game, including two by running back Jon Keyworth.

The Broncos and Lions have played each other three times on Thanksgiving and this was the only game in that series that the Broncos were able to win.

The Broncos and Lions play each other later this season, matching up in Week 14.

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