The two have gone hand in hand since the Pilgrims played in the first "blackout" game against the Native Americans on the first holiday.

Or when Lucy pulled the football away from Charlie Brown, altering the final point spread and costing gamblers across the country millions.

Watching some of the Ol' Pigskin on Turkey Day has been a long-standing tradition, and there will be plenty of it to see this Thursday. So while you're stuffing your face with cranberry sauce or napping on the couch, here is a quick look at the day's activities.

*Tennessee Titans at Detroit Lions:

The New York Jets ruined what would have been a great trap game. Tennessee comes into this one 10-1, looking to get back on track. The Lions are winless and pathetic. So it would make perfect sense if Detroit wins this game.

*Seattle Seahawks at Dallas Cowboys: The final Thanksgiving Day game in Texas Stadium, and it's only fitting that this one would be a turkey. At 2-9, the Seahawks are just playing for pride while the Cowboys are in the thick of a playoff race.

*Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles: On paper, this one is the most attractive of the three Turkey Day games. Too bad many won't be able to see it as the game is on NFL Network.

Today

Got giants?

NBA: If size really matters, the Miami Heat will find out this week. Starting with tonight's game against the Houston Rockets, the Heat will face Yao Ming (7-feet-6 inches, 330 pounds), Portland's Greg Oden (7-0, 285) and Phoenix's Shaquille O'Neal (7-1, 385) in succession.

Magical distributor

NBA: Current Milwaukee Bucks Coach Scott Skiles will be the latest former Orlando Magic player to make his way back to O-Town to celebrate 20 seasons of Magic Basketball when the Bucks play the Magic tonight at Amway Arena.

Orange & Blue battle

COLLEGE Basketball: Florida hits the road for the first time this season, heading to Kansas City to take on Syracuse in the O'Reilly Auto Parts CBE Classic. This is one of only six times the Gators hit the road before the January.

Road bailout?

COLLEGE Basketball: It's been a rough time for Western Illinois. Already 1-3, the Leathernecks play eight of their first 10 games on the road, including today's matchup with Florida State. Something tells me Western alum and Chrysler CEO Robert Nardelli won't be jetting to see this one.

Wednesday

Missin' Martin

HOCKEY: New Jersey has been treading ice since losing Martin Brodeur. Ever since the all-star goalie went down with a torn biceps, the team has struggled, going 4-4 but with a 3-1 win over the Panthers, who will be looking for some payback on Wednesday.

Future is now

NBA: Soft is good if you are toilet paper, not if you are an NBA center. Portland's Greg Oden has been anything but since his return to the lineup. The Blazers are 4-3, including a 104-96 win against Miami, and the Bearded One is averaging 12 points, seven rebounds and two blocks per game during that stretch. The Heat look to avenge that loss Wednesday night.

Mighty Thad Young

NBA: Quick quiz. Who is leading the Philadelphia 76ers in scoring? If you answered Elton Brand, not so. Forward Thaddeus Young is averaging 16.3 points and 5.3 rebounds per game including a 19-point effort against the Magic in a loss earlier this season. The Sixers look for revenge Wednesday night.

Familiar rebel

COLLEGE Basketball: UCF wraps up a 3-game road trip against Mississippi, who is led by David Huertas (23 ppg., 5.0 rpg.), a transfer from Florida who played on the Gators' 2006 national-title team.

Friday

BCS beggars

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Boise State is poised to make another run at the Bowl Championship Series but will need to avoid upset-minded Fresno State Friday night and will probably need some divine intervention for their second trip to a BCS game in the last three seasons.

Lightning strike?

HOCKEY: November has been a tough month for Tampa Bay. The Lightning have only three wins this month and will travel to Minnesota to take on the Wild, a team that is in the middle of a stretch of playing seven of their next eight games at home.

Vegas venture

COLLEGE Basketball: Florida State may be 4-0 this season but it hasn't been against the toughest of competition. The four opponents they've played so far have a combined record of 2-11. That will change Friday night when the Seminoles take on Cincinnati (3-0) in Las Vegas at the Global Sports Classic.

Saturday

Gator grip

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: The high-powered Florida offense travels to Tallahassee this Saturday for a big intra-state rivalry with Florida State. The Gators have won the last four meetings between the schools, outscoring the Seminoles 120-46.

Finishing strong

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Thanks to a disappointing 4-7 record and no chance for postseason play, UCF will be playing its final game of the season Saturday as the Knights host UAB and look to end on a 3-game winning streak.

Nothing to lose

COLLEGE FOOTBALL: With no chance for an ACC title and a bowl berth assured, Miami will be looking to improve its holiday bowl slotting when it plays North Carolina State on Saturday.

Zach attack

NBA: Newly acquired Zach Randolph will help the Clippers this season, and he should give them a big lift against the Miami Heat on Saturday. Randolph is averaging 16.6 points and 8.3 rebounds against the Heat in his career.

Petulant Pacers

NBA: Going back to last season, the Magic have won three straight against the Pacers, including last week's 100-98 win in overtime thanks to Dwight Howard's 24-point, 17-rebound, 5-block night. Can he repeat the feat this Saturday night?

Back from paradise

COLLEGE Basketball: Miami returns home after a brief stay in the Caribbean and welcomes Stetson into the Convocation Center Saturday night.

Sunday

Road rogues

PRO FOOTBALL: Like the classic Willie Nelson song says, "On the road again, I just can't wait to get on the road again." For the Dolphins this can't be any truer. Miami will play four of its last five games on the road, starting this Sunday in St. Louis against the struggling Rams.

Tour of the South

PRO FOOTBALL: Tampa Bay begins a 3-game stretch of games against NFC South opponents, starting with New Orleans this Sunday, followed by Carolina and Atlanta.