On November 23, 1984, one of the most memorable Thanksgiving Day football games in NFL history took place between the Detroit Lions and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The game, played at the Pontiac Silverdome in Michigan, was a thrilling back-and-forth battle that ended in a dramatic fashion.

The Lions, led by quarterback Gary Danielson and star running back Billy Sims, took an early lead in the game. However, the Steelers, with quarterback David Woodley and future Hall of Fame defensive back Rod Woodson, fought back to keep the game close.

As the game entered the fourth quarter, the Steelers held a slim 17-14 lead. With just under six minutes remaining, Danielson orchestrated a drive that brought the Lions deep into Pittsburgh territory. On a crucial third-down play, Danielson threw a pass to wide receiver Leonard Thompson in the end zone. Thompson made a spectacular diving catch, giving the Lions a 21-17 lead with just 4:49 left on the clock.

The Steelers, however, were not ready to concede defeat. Woodley led a determined drive downfield, converting several key third downs to keep their hopes alive. With just 43 seconds remaining, Woodley found wide receiver John Stallworth in the end zone for a 37-yard touchdown pass, putting the Steelers back on top, 24-21.

In a last-gasp effort, Danielson and the Lions tried to mount one final drive. They managed to reach midfield with just seconds left on the clock. On the final play of the game, Danielson heaved a Hail Mary pass toward the end zone. The ball was tipped by a Steelers defender and miraculously landed in the hands of Lions tight end David Lewis, who caught it for a game-winning touchdown as time expired. The Lions had pulled off an incredible 27-24 victory in one of the most dramatic finishes in NFL Thanksgiving Day history.

This game became known as the "Thanksgiving Day Miracle" and remains a beloved memory for Lions fans. It showcased the excitement and unpredictability that makes football on Thanksgiving Day such a special tradition in American sports culture.