Home / NFL / Ranking Every Thanksgiving Day QB Performance Since 1950 Ranking Every Thanksgiving Day QB Performance Since 1950 Written by Sports EditorAdam Fromal Updated –Nov 26, 2022 We publish independently audited content meeting strict editorial standards. Ads on our site are served by Google AdSense and are not controlled or influenced by our editorial team. NFL football is a Thanksgiving Day tradition on par with turkey, tryptophan, and careful navigation of familial relationships. From the worst showings on the holiday to the sterling performances that created indelible memories, Thanksgiving QB performances have left football fans dejected, elated, and every emotion between the two extremes. But how has every single qualified quarterback fared on the holiday since 1950? Yes, we said “every” single one. And we meant it. To determine the order of the 367 qualified games by signal-callers from 1950 to the present, we’re turning to QB Math’s Total Yards Added (TYA) metric, which looks at fumble avoidance, sack avoidance, rushing success, and passing success to see how many more yards a given quarterback accumulated than a league-average player during the year in question would’ve with the same number of attempts. Five total attempts are necessary to qualify. Feel free to search in your browser for your favorite quarterback’s name, or just scroll through to see every entry and determine who jumps out to you. But do know — and this is a necessary note given the massive nature of the table below — that there’s more to this article beyond the rankings of the 361 qualified games. Below the behemoth, you can also find a ranking of the Thanksgiving Day careers of all 186 signal-callers who appear, as well as a quick look at the 36 with three or more showings to their name. RankPlayerSeasonTYATeamOpponent367Dan Marino1999-244.255Miami DolphinsDallas Cowboys366Cliff Stoudt1983-239.241Pittsburgh SteelersDetroit Lions365Brian Sipe1982-206.398Cleveland BrownsDallas Cowboys364Matthew Stafford2009-202.032Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers363Len Dawson1967-199.1Kansas City ChiefsOakland Raiders362Troy Aikman1989-194.622Dallas CowboysPhiladelphia Eagles361Carson Palmer2010-186.878Cincinnati BengalsNew York Jets360Colin Kaepernick2014-184.705San Francisco 49ersSeattle Seahawks359Jim Harbaugh1991-184.499Chicago BearsDetroit Lions358Jonathan Quinn2004-178.374Chicago BearsDallas Cowboys357Tony Romo2015-170.921Dallas CowboysCarolina Panthers356Jim Hart1975-162.769St. Louis CardinalsBuffalo Bills355Milt Plum1967-160.403Detroit LionsLos Angeles Rams354Joey Harrington2002-159.746Detroit LionsNew England Patriots353Matt Ryan2019-158.554Atlanta FalconsNew Orleans Saints352Eli Manning2017-155.158New York GiantsWashington351Alex Smith2011-147.443San Francisco 49ersBaltimore Ravens350Tom Dublinski1953-146.863Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers349Greg Landry1968-145.926Detroit LionsPhiladelphia Eagles348Scott Tolzien2016-142.972Indianapolis ColtsPittsburgh Steelers347Rodney Peete1993-142.941Detroit LionsChicago Bears346John McCormick1963-141.979Denver BroncosOakland Raiders345Scott Brunner1982-135.398New York GiantsDetroit Lions344Jim Ninowski1961-134.016Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers343Greg Landry1969-133.52Detroit LionsMinnesota Vikings342Gary Marangi1976-130.788Buffalo BillsDetroit Lions341Sam Adkins1980-129.729Seattle SeahawksDallas CowboysRankPlayerSeasonTYATeamOpponent340Troy Aikman1996-125.827Dallas CowboysWashington339Mike Phipps1979-125.557Chicago BearsDetroit Lions338Matt Flynn2013-124.768Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions337Bob Williams1952-124.087Chicago BearsDallas Texans336Tony Romo2014-116.943Dallas CowboysPhiladelphia Eagles335Drew Bledsoe2000-116.105New England PatriotsDetroit Lions334Joey Harrington2007-113.433Atlanta FalconsIndianapolis Colts333Gary Danielson1982-112.399Detroit LionsNew York Giants332Matthew Stafford2018-110.373Detroit LionsChicago Bears331Matthew Stafford2011-107.348Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers330Colt McCoy2018-104.729WashingtonDallas Cowboys329Jay Cutler2014-100.796Chicago BearsDetroit Lions328Bill Kenney1981-99.037Kansas City ChiefsDetroit Lions327Aaron Rodgers2015-97.823Green Bay PackersChicago Bears326Bruce Gradkowski2006-95.501Tampa Bay BuccaneersDallas Cowboys325Joe Reed1975-95.408Detroit LionsLos Angeles Rams324Tony Eason1984-95.327New England PatriotsDallas Cowboys323Steve Tensi1969-94.544Denver BroncosKansas City Chiefs322Alex Smith2020-94.29Washington Football TeamDallas Cowboys321Craig Morton1969-93.418Dallas CowboysSan Francisco 49ersRankPlayerSeasonTYATeamOpponent320Kellen Clemens2007-92.584New York JetsDallas Cowboys319Drew Henson2004-91.474Dallas CowboysChicago Bears318Dak Prescott2017-89.8Dallas CowboysLos Angeles Chargers317Gus Frerotte1996-88.191WashingtonDallas Cowboys316Bobby Layne1956-87.948Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers315Daryle Lamonica1968-87.861Oakland RaidersBuffalo Bills314Chuck Long1988-86.151Detroit LionsMinnesota Vikings313Bobby Layne1957-85.896Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers312Vince Evans1981-85.353Chicago BearsDallas Cowboys311Bart Starr1962-84.62Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions310Eli Manning2009-82.196New York GiantsDenver Broncos309Jon Kitna2006-80.402Detroit LionsMiami Dolphins308Joey Harrington2005-78.587Detroit LionsAtlanta Falcons307Trevor Siemian2021-76.46New Orleans SaintsBuffalo Bills306Rusty Hilger1988-76.303Detroit LionsMinnesota Vikings305Erik Kramer1991-75.157Detroit LionsChicago Bears304Marty Domres1969-73.197San Diego ChargersHouston Oilers303Andy Dalton2020-71.059Dallas CowboysWashington Football Team302Neil O’Donnell1991-69.073Pittsburgh SteelersDallas Cowboys301Mark Malone1983-68.791Pittsburgh SteelersDetroit LionsRankPlayerSeasonTYATeamOpponent300Joey Harrington2003-68.679Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers299Jon Kitna2007-68.527Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers298M.C. Reynolds1961-68.099Buffalo BillsNew York Titans297Bart Starr1970-67.381Green Bay PackersDallas Cowboys296Joe Ferguson1975-67.326Buffalo BillsSt. Louis Cardinals295Troy Aikman1993-67.129Dallas CowboysMiami Dolphins294Pete Beathard1968-65.861Houston OilersKansas City Chiefs293Mark Rypien1990-64.164WashingtonDallas Cowboys292Babe Parilli1953-64.078Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions291Jim Zorn1980-63.439Seattle SeahawksDallas Cowboys290Mark Sanchez2010-63.325New York JetsCincinnati Bengals289Mike McMahon2004-62.349Detroit LionsIndianapolis Colts288Roger Staubach1976-62.086Dallas CowboysSt. Louis Cardinals287Don Trull1969-62.047Houston OilersSan Diego Chargers286Shaun Hill2010-58.876Detroit LionsNew England Patriots285Troy Aikman1990-56.682Dallas CowboysWashington284Roger Staubach1974-55.997Dallas CowboysWashington283Jim Hart1976-55.926St. Louis CardinalsDallas Cowboys282Ed Rutkowski1968-55.877Buffalo BillsOakland Raiders281George Ratterman1950-54.824New York YanksDetroit LionsRankPlayerSeasonTYATeamOpponent280George Blanda1970-53.457Oakland RaidersDetroit Lions279Milt Plum1965-53.392Detroit LionsBaltimore Colts278Kurt Warner2008-52.897Arizona CardinalsPhiladelphia Eagles277Earl Morrall1959-52.36Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers276Charley Johnson1974-50.996Denver BroncosDetroit Lions275Drew Bledsoe2005-50.48Dallas CowboysDenver Broncos274Matt Hasselbeck2008-49.568Seattle SeahawksDallas Cowboys273Earl Morrall1961-48.403Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers272Daunte Culpepper2008-47.849Detroit LionsTennessee Titans271John Elway1990-47.403Denver BroncosDetroit Lions270Tobin Rote1958-47.215Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers269Charley Johnson1967-46.697St. Louis CardinalsDallas Cowboys268Quincy Carter2003-44.902Dallas CowboysMiami Dolphins267Matthew Stafford2020-44.238Detroit LionsHouston Texans266Frank Tripucka1950-44.187Chicago CardinalsPittsburgh Steelers265Sam Bradford2016-43.856Minnesota VikingsDetroit Lions264Brian Griese2001-43.424Denver BroncosDallas Cowboys263Frank Tripucka1962-42.187Denver BroncosNew York Titans262Matt Schaub2012-41.772Houston TexansDetroit Lions261Vinny Testaverde2004-41.349Dallas CowboysChicago BearsRankPlayerSeasonTYATeamOpponent260Jeff Komlo1979-41.331Detroit LionsChicago Bears259Steve DeBerg1993-41.129Miami DolphinsDallas Cowboys258Don Meredith1968-40.902Dallas CowboysWashington257Mike Livingston1969-40.748Kansas City ChiefsDenver Broncos256Brett Favre2003-40.285Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions255Tony Romo2011-40.17Dallas CowboysMiami Dolphins254Karl Sweetan1966-38.421Detroit LionsSan Francisco 49ers253Tobin Rote1955-38.415Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions252Jake Plummer2006-36.902Denver BroncosKansas City Chiefs251Charlie Batch2001-36.603Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers250Craig Krenzel2004-36.049Chicago BearsDallas Cowboys249Joe Kapp1969-35.473Minnesota VikingsDetroit Lions248Bill Munson1973-34.43Detroit LionsWashington247Danny Wuerffel2002-33.74WashingtonDallas Cowboys246Tom Dublinski1954-33.623Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers245Johnny Unitas1965-33.165Baltimore ColtsDetroit Lions244Kordell Stewart1998-32.83Pittsburgh SteelersDetroit Lions243George Shaw1962-32.336Denver BroncosNew York Titans242Danny White1980-32.205Dallas CowboysSeattle Seahawks241Kirk Cousins2017-31.448WashingtonNew York GiantsRankPlayerSeasonTYATeamOpponent240Jim Harbaugh1993-31.158Chicago BearsDetroit Lions239Bart Starr1958-29.536Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions238Norm Snead1968-29.43Philadelphia EaglesDetroit Lions237Erik Kramer1992-27.153Detroit LionsHouston Oilers236Jim Miller1999-26.681Chicago BearsDetroit Lions235Earl Morrall1963-25.609Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers234Bobby Layne1955-24.814Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers233Lamar McHan1960-23.793Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions232Pete Beathard1969-23.347Houston OilersSan Diego Chargers231Steve Tensi1967-22.943Denver BroncosSan Diego Chargers230Dan Orlovsky2005-22.87Detroit LionsAtlanta Falcons229Bobby Thomason1951-21.85Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions228Matt Cassel2015-19.921Dallas CowboysCarolina Panthers227Cam Newton2015-19.856Carolina PanthersDallas Cowboys226Ryan Leaf2001-19.685Dallas CowboysDenver Broncos225Gary Danielson1977-19.443Detroit LionsChicago Bears224Trent Green2006-19.101Kansas City ChiefsDenver Broncos223Eric Hipple1982-18.999Detroit LionsNew York Giants222Karl Sweetan1967-18.559Detroit LionsLos Angeles Rams221Craig Morton1972-18.184Dallas CowboysSan Francisco 49ersRankPlayerSeasonTYATeamOpponent220Jeff Garcia2005-17.457Detroit LionsAtlanta Falcons219Mark Sanchez2015-16.874Philadelphia EaglesDetroit Lions218Jack Kemp1965-16.396Buffalo BillsSan Diego Chargers217Dak Prescott2019-15.832Dallas CowboysBuffalo Bills216Len Dawson1971-15.222Kansas City ChiefsDetroit Lions215Matthew Stafford2017-14.662Detroit LionsMinnesota Vikings214Mike McMahon2001-14.253Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers213Jack Kemp1964-13.954Buffalo BillsSan Diego Chargers212Johnny Green1962-13.277New York TitansDenver Broncos211Babe Parilli1952-13.174Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions210Matthew Stafford2016-13.064Detroit LionsMinnesota Vikings209Troy Aikman1992-12.747Dallas CowboysNew York Giants208Matt Ryan2018-12.262Atlanta FalconsNew Orleans Saints207Gary Danielson1978-11.925Detroit LionsDenver Broncos206Kent Graham1992-10.849New York GiantsDallas Cowboys205Chase Daniel2018-10.669Chicago BearsDetroit Lions204Tom Flores1963-9.877Oakland RaidersDenver Broncos203Earl Morrall1962-9.396Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers202Daryle Lamonica1964-8.428Buffalo BillsSan Diego Chargers201Jay Cutler2015-7.87Chicago BearsGreen Bay PackersRankPlayerSeasonTYATeamOpponent200Jake Plummer2005-7.697Denver BroncosDallas Cowboys199Tony Romo2007-7.008Dallas CowboysNew York Jets198Bart Starr1961-6.696Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions197Daryle Lamonica1970-6.318Oakland RaidersDetroit Lions196Milt Plum1964-5.58Detroit LionsChicago Bears195Daniel Jones2022-5.128New York GiantsDallas Cowboys194Roger Staubach1972-4.714Dallas CowboysSan Francisco 49ers193Tom Brady2002-4.394New England PatriotsDetroit Lions192Lynn Dickey1984-3.504Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions191Bruce Gradkowski2009-2.819Oakland RaidersDallas Cowboys190Roger Staubach1973-2.536Dallas CowboysMiami Dolphins189Danny White1987-1.222Dallas CowboysMinnesota Vikings188Josh Allen2022-0.782Buffalo BillsDetroit Lions187Greg Landry1977-0.14Detroit LionsChicago Bears186George Blanda19670.294Oakland RaidersKansas City Chiefs185John Hadl19641.046San Diego ChargersBuffalo Bills184John Hadl19651.141San Diego ChargersBuffalo Bills183Milt Plum19622.455Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers182Bart Starr19572.623Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions181Kerry Collins20082.822Tennessee TitansDetroit LionsRankPlayerSeasonTYATeamOpponent180Chad Hutchinson20023.946Dallas CowboysWashington179Bob Avellini19794.087Chicago BearsDetroit Lions178Jim Hart19774.368St. Louis CardinalsMiami Dolphins177Damon Huard19995.006Miami DolphinsDallas Cowboys176Rudy Bukich19645.794Chicago BearsDetroit Lions175Scott Mitchell19965.875Detroit LionsKansas City Chiefs174Bill Munson19696.976Detroit LionsMinnesota Vikings173Joe Ferguson19869.032Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers172Tobin Rote19549.884Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions171Tony Romo201211.178Dallas CowboysWashington170David Blough201911.279Detroit LionsChicago Bears169Jon Kitna201011.346Dallas CowboysNew Orleans Saints168Joey Harrington200413.626Detroit LionsIndianapolis Colts167Steve McNair199713.726Tennesse OilersDallas Cowboys166Steve Pelluer198815.357Dallas CowboysHouston Oilers165Don Breaux196315.451Denver BroncosOakland Raiders164John Brodie196615.678San Francisco 49ersDetroit Lions163Glenn Carano198116.527Dallas CowboysChicago Bears162Joe Flacco201116.918Baltimore RavensSan Francisco 49ers161Tony Romo201316.935Dallas CowboysOakland RaidersRankPlayerSeasonTYATeamOpponent160Joe Namath197217.081New York JetsDetroit Lions159Jim Ninowski196817.643WashingtonDallas Cowboys158Dak Prescott202218.363Dallas CowboysNew York Giants157Drew Brees201918.723New Orleans SaintsAtlanta Falcons156Bob Gagliano198918.965Detroit LionsCleveland Browns155John Hadl196719.322San Diego ChargersDenver Broncos154Joe Flacco201319.639Baltimore RavensPittsburgh Steelers153Chuck Long198719.773Detroit LionsKansas City Chiefs152Tommy Kramer198720.387Minnesota VikingsDallas Cowboys151Cotton Davidson196320.838Oakland RaidersDenver Broncos150Mark Sanchez201220.867New York JetsNew England Patriots149Bart Starr196021.192Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions148Bobby Layne195321.667Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers147Troy Aikman200021.77Dallas CowboysMinnesota Vikings146Don Meredith196622.166Dallas CowboysCleveland Browns145Drew Brees201822.398New Orleans SaintsAtlanta Falcons144Tobin Rote195723.139Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers143Daryle Lamonica196723.763Oakland RaidersKansas City Chiefs142Jim Hardy195024.721Chicago CardinalsPittsburgh Steelers141Andy Dalton202124.789Chicago BearsDetroit LionsRankPlayerSeasonTYATeamOpponent140Danny White198424.806Dallas CowboysNew England Patriots139Matt McGloin201326.084Oakland RaidersDallas Cowboys138Troy Aikman199726.333Dallas CowboysTennessee Oilers137Cotton Davidson196026.606Dallas TexansNew York Titans136Danny White198126.963Dallas CowboysChicago Bears135Wade Wilson198728.511Minnesota VikingsDallas Cowboys134Tobin Rote195629.022Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions133Steve Pelluer198629.033Dallas CowboysSeattle Seahawks132Frank Tripucka195229.506Dallas TexansChicago Bears131Matt Moore201132.649Miami DolphinsDallas Cowboys130Jim Ninowski196032.86Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers129Jim Kelly199434.282Buffalo BillsDetroit Lions128Bobby Layne195435.95Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers127Jacky Lee196736.725Kansas City ChiefsOakland Raiders126Bernie Kosar198937.274Cleveland BrownsDetroit Lions125Warren Moon199537.612Minnesota VikingsDetroit Lions124Billy Kilmer197337.782WashingtonDetroit Lions123Steve Fuller198138.286Kansas City ChiefsDetroit Lions122Paul McDonald198239.201Cleveland BrownsDallas Cowboys121Jared Goff202139.707Detroit LionsChicago BearsRankPlayerSeasonTYATeamOpponent120Randy Wright198439.814Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions119Neil Lomax198339.995St. Louis CardinalsDallas Cowboys118Bobby Layne195241.205Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers117Jared Goff202242.537Detroit LionsBuffalo Bills116Rich Gannon199644.107Kansas City ChiefsDetroit Lions115Kyle Orton200945.23Denver BroncosNew York Giants114John Hadl196946.653San Diego ChargersHouston Oilers113Steve Beuerlein199146.945Dallas CowboysPittsburgh Steelers112Billy Kilmer197447.003WashingtonDallas Cowboys111Greg Landry197447.005Detroit LionsDenver Broncos110Eric Hipple198147.008Detroit LionsKansas City Chiefs109Mark Sanchez201448.415Philadelphia EaglesDallas Cowboys108Johnny Green196148.79Buffalo BillsNew York Titans107Troy Aikman199549.072Dallas CowboysKansas City Chiefs106Roger Staubach197949.895Dallas CowboysHouston Oilers105Tom Flores196650.629Oakland RaidersBuffalo Bills104Joe Theismann197850.686WashingtonDallas Cowboys103Ben Roethlisberger201350.774Pittsburgh SteelersBaltimore Ravens102Josh Allen201951.112Buffalo BillsDallas Cowboys101Michael Vick200551.303Atlanta FalconsDetroit LionsRankPlayerSeasonTYATeamOpponent100Roman Gabriel197151.379Los Angeles RamsDallas Cowboys99Greg Landry197652.861Detroit LionsBuffalo Bills98Craig Morton197853.881Denver BroncosDetroit Lions97Roman Gabriel196755.028Los Angeles RamsDetroit Lions96Josh Allen202156.956Buffalo BillsNew Orleans Saints95Warren Moon198857.338Houston OilersDallas Cowboys94Eric Hipple198357.707Detroit LionsPittsburgh Steelers93Wade Wilson198859.508Minnesota VikingsDetroit Lions92George Blanda195260.146Chicago BearsDallas Texans91Drew Brees201060.567New Orleans SaintsDallas Cowboys90Len Dawson196961.551Kansas City ChiefsDenver Broncos89Joey Harrington200661.699Miami DolphinsDetroit Lions88Russell Wilson201462.937Seattle SeahawksSan Francisco 49ers87Gary Danielson198064.309Detroit LionsChicago Bears86Peyton Manning200766.718Indianapolis ColtsAtlanta Falcons85Steve Spurrier197267.694San Francisco 49ersDallas Cowboys84Frank Ryan196668.141Cleveland BrownsDallas Cowboys83Dak Prescott201670.237Dallas CowboysWashington82Bart Starr195972.207Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions81Cody Carlson199272.863Houston OilersDetroit LionsRankPlayerSeasonTYATeamOpponent80Ken O’Brien198576.203New York JetsDetroit Lions79Matthew Stafford201376.503Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers78Kirk Cousins202276.537Minnesota VikingsNew England Patriots77Troy Aikman199977.456Dallas CowboysMiami Dolphins76Dak Prescott201877.568Dallas CowboysWashington75Charlie Batch199879.017Detroit LionsPittsburgh Steelers74Greg Landry197280.53Detroit LionsNew York Jets73Greg Landry197180.99Detroit LionsKansas City Chiefs72Charlie Batch200081.18Detroit LionsNew England Patriots71Steve Bono199582.957Kansas City ChiefsDallas Cowboys70Matthew Stafford201282.981Detroit LionsHouston Texans69Danny White198283.202Dallas CowboysCleveland Browns68Vince Evans198084.561Chicago BearsDetroit Lions67Craig Morton197088.15Dallas CowboysGreen Bay Packers66Bob Griese197388.417Miami DolphinsDallas Cowboys65Roger Staubach197888.735Dallas CowboysWashington64Neil Lomax198590.232St. Louis CardinalsDallas Cowboys63Bob Gagliano199090.678Detroit LionsDenver Broncos62Gus Frerotte199991.183Detroit LionsChicago Bears61Brett Favre199492.91Green Bay PackersDallas CowboysRankPlayerSeasonTYATeamOpponent60James Harris197592.952Los Angeles RamsDetroit Lions59Mitchell Trubisky201994.39Chicago BearsDetroit Lions58Bart Starr196396.676Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions57Scott Mitchell199799.845Detroit LionsChicago Bears56Dan Pastorini1979100.356Houston OilersDallas Cowboys55Bill Kenney1987100.64Kansas City ChiefsDetroit Lions54Bobby Layne1950102.084Detroit LionsNew York Yanks53John Rauch1950104.718New York YanksDetroit Lions52Dave Krieg1986105.023Seattle SeahawksDallas Cowboys51Daunte Culpepper2000105.823Minnesota VikingsDallas Cowboys50Jim Hart1967106.303St. Louis CardinalsDallas Cowboys49Danny White1983109.864Dallas CowboysSt. Louis Cardinals48Clint Longley1974110.005Dallas CowboysWashington47Randy Wright1986111.028Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions46John Brodie1969111.031San Francisco 49ersDallas Cowboys45Erik Kramer1997111.97Chicago BearsDetroit Lions44Al Dorow1961112.442New York TitansBuffalo Bills43Jack Kemp1966113.067Buffalo BillsOakland Raiders42Donovan McNabb2008115.809Philadelphia EaglesArizona Cardinals41Aaron Rodgers2011118.83Green Bay PackersDetroit LionsRankPlayerSeasonTYATeamOpponent40Randall Cunningham1989118.86Philadelphia EaglesDallas Cowboys39Brett Favre2001125.226Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions38Case Keenum2017126.338Minnesota VikingsDetroit Lions37Bob Avellini1977126.589Chicago BearsDetroit Lions36Dak Prescott2021127.101Dallas CowboysLas Vegas Raiders35Len Dawson1968128.602Kansas City ChiefsHouston Oilers34Gary Danielson1984131.965Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers33Danny White1985132.802Dallas CowboysSt. Louis Cardinals32Al Dorow1960132.829New York TitansDallas Texans31Don Meredith1967133.891Dallas CowboysSt. Louis Cardinals30Tobin Rote1951136.3Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions29Matthew Stafford2014136.608Detroit LionsChicago Bears28Robert Griffin III2012137.277WashingtonDallas Cowboys27Derek Carr2021137.581Las Vegas RaidersDallas Cowboys26Jason Garrett1994138.055Dallas CowboysGreen Bay Packers25Eric Hipple1985142.488Detroit LionsNew York Jets24Mac Jones2022149.039New England PatriotsMinnesota Vikings23Bobby Layne1951150.413Detroit LionsGreen Bay Packers22Roger Staubach1971151.707Dallas CowboysLos Angeles Rams21Tobin Rote1952156.913Green Bay PackersDetroit LionsRankPlayerSeasonTYATeamOpponent20Ben Roethlisberger2016160.537Pittsburgh SteelersIndianapolis Colts19Tony Romo2009163.312Dallas CowboysOakland Raiders18Tony Romo2008163.48Dallas CowboysSeattle Seahawks17Scott Mitchell1995168.727Detroit LionsMinnesota Vikings16Troy Aikman1998169.179Dallas CowboysMinnesota Vikings15Bob Griese1977172.843Miami DolphinsSt. Louis Cardinals14Aaron Rodgers2009173.181Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions13Kirk Cousins2016175.751WashingtonDallas Cowboys12Matthew Stafford2015183.152Detroit LionsPhiladelphia Eagles11Randall Cunningham1998189.881Minnesota VikingsDallas Cowboys10Jay Fiedler2003191.15Miami DolphinsDallas Cowboys9Deshaun Watson2020194.121Houston TexansDetroit Lions8Greg Landry1970197.15Detroit LionsOakland Raiders7Peyton Manning2004198.326Indianapolis ColtsDetroit Lions6Brett Favre2007206.747Green Bay PackersDetroit Lions5Tony Romo2006219.098Dallas CowboysTampa Bay Buccaneers4Tom Brady2012233.901New England PatriotsNew York Jets3Tom Brady2010241.23New England PatriotsDetroit Lions2Dave Krieg1994251.397Detroit LionsBuffalo Bills1Philip Rivers2017269.125Los Angeles ChargersDallas Cowboys We’ve already broken this table down in a number of different ways for you. If you’re curious about the bottom 10 Thanksgiving QB performances since 1950, you can read about Dan Marino’s awful day and the rest of the worst entries. Similarly, the Philip Rivers masterpiece and multiple Tom Brady outings are featured in a look at the top 10 Thanksgiving QB performances. But what about the quarterbacks who have put together the best and worst Turkey Day careers? Well, we’ve got you covered there, as well. Dating back to 1950, 186 different quarterbacks have logged at least one qualified game (five or more total passes, rushes, and sacks taken), and they’re sorted below from least productive to most productive. Don’t be surprised when single-game samples yield some strange results since you’re likely looking at the names “Dan Marino” and “Eli Manning” already. RankPlayerQualified GamesTYA186Joey Harrington6-345.12185Dan Marino1-244.255184Alex Smith2-241.733183Cliff Stoudt1-239.241182Eli Manning2-237.354181Milt Plum4-216.92180Jim Harbaugh2-215.657179Brian Sipe1-206.398178Carson Palmer1-186.878177Colin Kaepernick1-184.705176Tom Dublinski2-180.486175Jonathan Quinn1-178.374174Matt Ryan2-170.816173Drew Bledsoe2-166.585172Scott Tolzien1-142.972171Rodney Peete1-142.941170John McCormick1-141.979169Jon Kitna3-137.583168Earl Morrall4-135.768167Scott Brunner1-135.398166Gary Marangi1-130.788165Sam Adkins1-129.729164Mike Phipps1-125.557163Matt Flynn1-124.768162Bob Williams1-124.087161Steve Tensi2-117.487RankPlayerQualified GamesTYA160Troy Aikman10-113.197159Jay Cutler2-108.666158Jim Hart4-108.024157Colt McCoy1-104.729156Bruce Gradkowski2-98.32155Charley Johnson2-97.693154Joe Reed1-95.408153Tony Eason1-95.327152Kellen Clemens1-92.584151Drew Henson1-91.474150Pete Beathard2-89.208149Jim Ninowski3-83.513148Daryle Lamonica4-78.844147Babe Parilli2-77.252146Mike McMahon2-76.602145Trevor Siemian1-76.46144Rusty Hilger1-76.303143Marty Domres1-73.197142Neil O’Donnell1-69.073141Mark Malone1-68.791RankPlayerQualified GamesTYA140M.C. Reynolds1-68.099139Chuck Long2-66.378138Mark Rypien1-64.164137Jim Zorn1-63.439136Don Trull1-62.047135Shaun Hill1-58.876134Joe Ferguson2-58.294133Karl Sweetan2-56.98132Frank Tripucka3-56.868131Ed Rutkowski1-55.877130George Ratterman1-54.824129Kurt Warner1-52.897128Matt Hasselbeck1-49.568127John Elway1-47.403126Andy Dalton2-46.27125Quincy Carter1-44.902124Jake Plummer2-44.599123Sam Bradford1-43.856122Brian Griese1-43.424121Matt Schaub1-41.772RankPlayerQualified GamesTYA120Vinny Testaverde1-41.349119Jeff Komlo1-41.331118Steve DeBerg1-41.129117Mike Livingston1-40.748116Craig Krenzel1-36.049115Joe Kapp1-35.473114Danny Wuerffel1-33.74113Johnny Unitas1-33.165112Kordell Stewart1-32.83111George Shaw1-32.336110Norm Snead1-29.43109Bill Munson2-27.454108Jim Miller1-26.681107Len Dawson4-24.169106Lamar McHan1-23.793105Dan Orlovsky1-22.87104Bobby Thomason1-21.85103Matt Cassel1-19.921102Cam Newton1-19.856101Ryan Leaf1-19.685RankPlayerQualified GamesTYA100Trent Green1-19.10199Jeff Garcia1-17.45798Matthew Stafford10-12.47397Mark Sanchez4-10.91796Kent Graham1-10.84995Chase Daniel1-10.66994Daniel Jones1-5.12893Lynn Dickey1-3.50492Vince Evans2-0.79291Bill Kenney21.60390Kerry Collins12.82289Gus Frerotte22.99288Chad Hutchinson13.94687Bart Starr84.46586Damon Huard15.00685Rudy Bukich15.79484George Blanda36.98383Erik Kramer39.6682David Blough111.27981Steve McNair113.726RankPlayerQualified GamesTYA80Don Breaux115.45179Glenn Carano116.52778Joe Namath117.08177Tommy Kramer120.38776Jim Hardy124.72175Matt McGloin126.08474Craig Morton430.42973Matt Moore132.64972Jim Kelly134.28271Johnny Green235.51370Joe Flacco236.55769Jacky Lee136.72568Bernie Kosar137.27467Steve Fuller138.28666Paul McDonald139.20165Tom Flores240.75264Rich Gannon144.10763Steve Pelluer244.3962Kyle Orton145.2361Steve Beuerlein146.945RankPlayerQualified GamesTYA60Cotton Davidson247.44459Joe Theismann150.68658Michael Vick151.30357Gary Danielson552.50756Daunte Culpepper257.97455Russell Wilson162.93754Steve Spurrier167.69453Frank Ryan168.14152John Hadl468.16251Cody Carlson172.86350Ken O’Brien176.20349Jared Goff282.24448Jack Kemp382.71747Steve Bono182.95746Billy Kilmer284.78545Wade Wilson288.01944James Harris192.95243Mitchell Trubisky194.3942Warren Moon294.9541Dan Pastorini1100.356RankPlayerQualified GamesTYA40Drew Brees3101.68839John Rauch1104.71838Roman Gabriel2106.40737Josh Allen2107.28636Bob Gagliano2109.64335Clint Longley1110.00534Don Meredith3115.15533Donovan McNabb1115.80932Charlie Batch3123.59431Case Keenum1126.33830John Brodie2126.70929Neil Lomax2130.22728Bob Avellini2130.67627Robert Griffin III1137.27726Derek Carr1137.58125Jason Garrett1138.05524Mac Jones1149.03923Randy Wright2150.84222Bobby Layne8152.66121Roger Staubach7165.004RankPlayerQualified GamesTYA20Greg Landry8178.9519Dak Prescott6187.63718Jay Fiedler1191.1517Deshaun Watson1194.12116Aaron Rodgers3194.18815Ben Roethlisberger2211.31114Kirk Cousins3220.8413Eric Hipple4228.20412Tony Romo9238.96111Al Dorow2245.27110Bob Griese2261.269Peyton Manning2265.0448Philip Rivers1269.1257Tobin Rote7269.6286Scott Mitchell3274.4475Randall Cunningham2308.7414Danny White7344.213Dave Krieg2356.422Brett Favre4384.5981Tom Brady3470.737 Not interested in the many, many players — 106 of them, in fact — who have suited up just once on Thanksgiving? That’s understandable, and we’ve still got you covered. Below, you can see the career standings for all 36 quarterbacks with at least three qualified Turkey Day appearances: RankPlayerQualified GamesTYA36Joey Harrington6-345.1235Milt Plum4-216.9234Jon Kitna3-137.58333Earl Morrall4-135.76832Troy Aikman10-113.19731Jim Hart4-108.02430Jim Ninowski3-83.51329Daryle Lamonica4-78.84428Frank Tripucka3-56.86827Len Dawson4-24.16926Matthew Stafford10-12.47325Mark Sanchez4-10.91724Bart Starr84.46523George Blanda36.98322Erik Kramer39.6621Craig Morton430.42920Gary Danielson552.50719John Hadl468.16218Jack Kemp382.71717Drew Brees3101.68816Josh Allen3107.28615Don Meredith3115.15514Charlie Batch3123.59413Bobby Layne8152.66112Roger Staubach7165.00411Greg Landry8178.9510Dak Prescott6187.6379Aaron Rodgers3194.1888Kirk Cousins3220.847Eric Hipple4228.2046Tony Romo9238.9615Tobin Rote7269.6284Scott Mitchell3274.4473Danny White7344.212Brett Favre4384.5981Tom Brady3470.737 Calling Joey Harrington the worst Thanksgiving QB performer in Turkey Day history feels about right. He’s the all-time last-place finisher in cumulative TYA with a 2-4 record and went 96-of-171 (56.1%) for 978 yards (163 per game), four touchdowns, and eight interceptions. Beyond that, he took nine sacks for 51 yards, rushed nine times for seven yards, and put the ball on the ground via fumble on four separate occasions. That’s … not ideal. Tom Brady of the New England Patriots in action against the New York Jets on Nov. 22, 2012 | Jim McIsaac/Getty Images On the flip side, Tom Brady is a threat to finish atop any list of positive quarterback performances, and the trend holds true here. In the GOAT’s three qualified appearances — his career debut in relief of Drew Bledsoe is not included since he had just three relevant plays — he compiled a 3-0 record while going 57-of-84 (67.9%) for 874 yards (291.3 per game), seven touchdowns, and just one pick. He added 18 yards and a rushing touchdown on 11 carries, never fumbled, and took a single sack for a three-yard loss. Maybe Brady’s dominance should be added to the collection of Thanksgiving Day staples. All Total Yards Added stats courtesy of Sports Math Network unless otherwise indicated. Written by Sports EditorAdam Fromal Adam Fromal joined the Endgame360 team in 2021 and works primarily with the Sportscasting team. He comes with a wealth of sports writing knowledge, building on a career that started in 2010, and with editing experience dating back to 2016. Adam enjoys covering all facets of the sports industry but has a particular love for basketball and the NBA. He grew up with that as a favorite and made it a career when he covered the NBA for almost a decade as a writer for Bleacher Report. During that time, he covered Denver Nuggets games and ran his own analytics website called NBA Math (a venture that he continues today). Throughout his tenure as an editor, Adam has a few other claims to fame: He helped to provide quality control for the Emmy-nominated "Game of Zones" web series at Bleacher Report and worked as a fact-checker for The Ringer's Mirin Fader on her debut book, Giannis: The Improbable Rise of an NBA MVP. Adam earned his bachelor's degrees from the University of Georgia in Classical Culture, Latin, and Psychology. All posts by Adam Fromal
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