Ritual

RITUAL. Everyone has one. The pregame prep and meticulous steps. NFL players, coaches, fans. You. This is the story about two teams and their fans playing for Thursday Night Football bragging rights. Though, well before anyone takes the field or the stands, surprisingly intertwined game day rituals unfold. JuJu Smith-Schuster, a Wide Receiver for the playoff-bound Steelers, is the youngest rookie in the league and unabashedly entertaining on the field and off. DeAndre Hopkins, also a Wide Receiver for the Houston Texans, is having a record setting year yet on a team that will end their season in December. With a game on Christmas Day, their rituals are steeped in the gift of giving and making dreams come true for some of the NFL's biggest little fans.

RITUAL. Everyone has one. The pregame prep and meticulous steps. NFL players, coaches, fans. You. This is the story about two teams and their fans playing for Thursday Night Football bragging rights. Though, well before anyone takes the field or the stands, surprisingly intertwined game day rituals unfold. Adam

RITUAL. Everyone has one. The pregame prep and meticulous steps. NFL players, coaches, fans. You. This is the story about two teams and their fans playing for Thursday Night Football bragging rights. Though, well before anyone takes the field or the stands, surprisingly intertwined game day rituals unfold. Cameron Jordan is a Defensive End for the New Orleans Saints and a second-generation NFL player and on a team that is marching closer to a divisional title. Atlanta Falcons Wide Receiver, Mohamed Sanu is on a team vying for a win to stay in the wildcard race. Rituals evolve when you're losing, so talk is cheap. Actions speak. Both are primed for Thursday Night lights in this Week 14 matchup.

RITUAL. Everyone has one. The pregame prep and meticulous steps. NFL players, coaches, fans. You. This is the story about two teams and their fans playing for Thursday Night Football bragging rights. Though, well before anyone takes the field or the stands, surprisingly intertwined game day rituals unfold. Washington Redskins Quarterback Kirk Cousins is Captain of the ship and a high-performing threat. The Dallas Cowboys have their own weapons, in brothers Jaylon + Rod Smith. Commanding a team or a color rush mission is never an easy battle but with a globe full of fans, all eyes are on them. From air to land and sea, these players serve on the field while their military fanbase serves on a different turf. The Thursday Night Football ritual provides comfort along with a blankie.

RITUAL. Everyone has one. The pregame prep and meticulous steps. NFL players, coaches, fans. You. This is the story about two teams and their fans playing for Thursday Night Football bragging rights. Though, well before anyone takes the field or the stands, surprisingly intertwined game day rituals unfold. The Steelers and Titans reign their AFC divisions. On Thursday Night one will fall. Pittsburgh linebacker Ryan Shazier is aiming to protect the win streak. Running back DeMarco Murray is looking to color rush Tennessee into another win. With mom and wife credited as their biggest fans and integrated into pregame rituals, a victory is that much sweeter.

RITUAL. Everyone has one. The pregame prep and meticulous steps. NFL players, coaches, fans. You.

RITUAL. Everyone has one. The pregame prep and meticulous steps. NFL players, coaches, fans. You.

RITUAL. Everyone has one. The pregame prep and meticulous steps. NFL players, coaches, fans. You.

RITUAL. Everyone has one. The pregame prep and meticulous steps. NFL players, coaches, fans. You.

Gerald McCoy is a Defensive Tackle for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and part of a community just hit by a Hurricane. Malcolm Butler, a Safety for the New England Patriots is part of the Boston community that has seen its own share of tragedy.

Mike Glennon is the starting Quarterback for the Chicago Bears and a first-time father. Randall Cobb is one third of the touchdown scoring trio of playmakers for the Green Bay Packers and a newlywed.