Forget about the record for one day and enjoy the fact that the Texans are in this classic game for the second time in their history.
Playing at Detroit or Dallas on this special occasion is no routine event. This game, particularly the one in Detroit, oozes with tradition and drama that goes back to its start in 1934.
The Lions hosted the Bears that year at University of Detroit Stadium. Owner George Richards convinced NBC to make it the first NFL national broadcast ever – RADIO broadcast. That's right, TV didn't exist. I Love Lucy wasn't a glint in anyone's eye.
The Bears won but Detroit would eventually win plenty on this day. The game eventually moved to Tigers Stadium then the Silverdome and now Ford Field.
The Lions are four games below .500 on Turkey day and are on a three game losing streak. If the Texans triumph they can join the Patriots as the only teams to be 2-0 in this game since it moved to Ford Field. They can also be one of four teams at 2-0 or better, all-time, in this contest.
The last time Houston was in the Thanksgiving game was 2012. It went deep into overtime as Houston prevailed. The only other matchup of any kind at Detroit was week two in 2004. David Carr squared off against Joey Harrington. It was a showdown between the top two QBs taken in the 2002 draft.
Those two gunslingers are long gone. But there's another quarterback from that class that's still in the league; Josh McCown, a current Houston Texan. Wow.
The QB battle Thursday features Deshaun Watson vs Matt Stafford. Watson just picked up another AFC Offensive Player of the Week honor. Stafford is coming off a five sack shutout. He is dangerous but has only been victorious in this tilt four times since coming into the league in 2009.
No fans will be in attendance but the action on the field will carry the day. It's a testament to the NFL that despite the pandemic, they power through and carry on with the season, especially traditional events like this. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
In 2012, the Houston Texans took on the Detroit Lions in Detroit on Thanksgiving Day.
Houston Texans tight end Owen Daniels (81) falls into the end zone over Detroit Lions middle linebacker Stephen Tulloch (55) to score a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Houston Texans offense lines up against the Detroit Lions in the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. Houston won 34-31. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) looks downfield during the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
Houston Texans quarterback Matt Schaub (8) warms up before the first quarter of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
The Houston Texans huddle against the Detroit Lions in the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. Houston won 34-31. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Houston Texans free safety Danieal Manning (38), right, celebrates causing Detroit Lions tight end Brandon Pettigrew (87) to fumble with Houston Texans defensive back Brandon Harris (26) in overtime of an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. Houston won 34-31. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Houston Texans kicker Shayne Graham (17) is congratulated by Donnie Jones (5) and Ryan Harris (68) after kicking the game-winning field goal in overtime of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. The Texans won 34-31. At right celebrating is Texans' Owen Daniels. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski)
The Detroit Lions huddle against the Houston Texans in the second half of an NFL football game in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. Houston won 34-31. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)
Houston Texans running back Arian Foster (23) runs into the end zone for a touchdown during the second quarter of an NFL football game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field in Detroit, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. (AP Photo/Duane Burleson)
