10 NFL Players with a Shot at Winning the Galloping Gobbler Trophy

Every year on Thanksgiving, the two teams playing on the Fox network compete for the annual Galloping Gobbler trophy, which is awarded to the game's most valuable player. 

As most of us know, the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions play during Thanksgiving on an annual basis. Each team plays on Fox every other year, and this year the Lions are up. 

The Green Bay Packers (10-0) will travel to Ford Field to take on the Detroit Lions (7-3) in what could ultimately be a game that has direct implications on who wins the NFC North.

Aaron Rodgers and the explosive Packers offense will attempt to overwhelm a fierce Lions front line that features Ndamukong Suh and Kyle Vanden Bosch, while Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson will be looking to show the world that they have firepower on offense as well. 

There are plenty of players capable of taking home the Galloping Gobbler, but only one man will.

Here are 10good candidates for the award this year.

Ndamukong Suh

Despite not being quite as dominant as he was during his All Pro rookie campaign, Ndamukong Suh is still a dangerous player capable of imposing his will on an offense.

He had 10 sacks as a rookie but only has three so far in 2011.

Regardless, he is due for a big game, and it could very well come during the Thanksgiving day matchup against Green Bay .

James Starks

The Packers are certainly not known as a running team, which would make it a surprise if running back James Starks ran away with the Galloping Gobbler trophy.

However, you can always expect the unexpected in the NFL, especially during big games.

Starks has 541 rushing yards so far in 2011 and only one touchdown, but in an offense as powerful as Green Bay's, he's bound to find the end zone some more this year.

Calvin Johnson

Do we really need an explanation on why Calvin Johnson could end up as the game's MVP?

Megatron has 974 yards already in 2011 and is leading the NFL in receiving touchdowns with 11.

He is the most dominant receiver in the game and is capable of taking over the game if the Lions can force themselves into the red zone, which is where Johnson is the most dangerous.

Clay Matthews

Clay Matthews, who has five sacks so far in 2011, could be in the Lions' backfield all day if he shows up with a big game.

Matthews is a game-changer and can cause havoc for the Lions' run game and passing attack if he can overwhelm their offensive line.

The Lions will have to make sure they have Matthews accounted for if they want to win the game.

Kevin Smith

For the first time since 2009, running back Kevin Smith is healthy and ready to take over the Lions' ground game, especially since Jahvid Best will be held out of the game with a consussion.

Smith proved he was healthy last week against the Carolina Panthers when he rushed for 140 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

A repeat performance could earn him the Galloping Gobbler.

Charles Woodson

In 2009, at the age of 33, cornerback Charles Woodson was able to earn Defensive Player of the Year honors.

In 2011, at the age of 35, Woodson is still a difference-making player for the Packers defense with five interceptions already on the year.

If Woodson comes up with a couple of picks and creates problems for the receivers, then he could easily be the most valuable player on the field today.

Kyle Vanden Bosch

Namukong Suh has been demanding a lot of attention from offensive lines, which has allowed defensive end Kyle Vanden Bosch to benefit with six sacks and one forced fumble this season.

However, at the age of 33, Vanden Bosch is a capable player with or without Suh and could very well cause problems in the backfield for Aaron Rodgers.  

Greg Jennings

Greg Jennings is not a likely candidate for the Galloping Gobbler, because if he has a good game then that means Aaron Rodgers most likely had a good game as well, and everyone will be dying to hand the award over to Rodgers.

Quarterbacks are more loved than receivers, but Jennings is a Pro Bowl-caliber receiver and could possibly put together a game too enticing to ignore.

Matthew Stafford

Third-year quarterback and former No.1 overall pick Matthew Stafford is simply having a breakout year—there's no doubt about it.

He has 2,843 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2011 and is coming off of a five-touchdown performance against the Carolina Panthers a week ago.

He has the Lions offense clicking on every cylinder and could very easily be the MVP of the game in the event of a Lions victory.

Aaron Rodgers

Obviously, Aaron Rodgers is the most likely candidate for the Galloping Gobbler, which is evident from all the attention he's been receiving due to his MVP-caliber season.

But to say he's having an MVP-caliber season is an understatement, because he's actually having one of the best seasons ever for a quarterback—3,168 yards and 31 touchdowns already throughout the first 10 games, and not to mention his remarkable quarterback rating of 128.8.

If the Packers win on Thanksgiving the same way they've won their first 10 games, then Rodgers is practically a lock for the Galloping Gobbler.

Recent Galloping Gobbler Winners

2010: Drew Brees (Quarterback, New Orleans Saints)

2009: Donald Driver (Wide Receiver, Green Bay Packers)

2008: DeMarcus Ware (Defensive End, Dallas Cowboys)

2007: Brett Favre (Quarterback, Green Bay Packers)

2006: Tony Romo (Quarterback, Dallas Cowboys)

2005: Michael Vick (Quarterback, Atlanta Falcons)

2004: Julius Jones (Running Back, Dallas Cowboys)

2003: Dre Bly (Cornerback, Detroit Lions)

2002: Emmit Smith (Running Back, Dallas Cowboys)