Thanksgiving in the NFL is usually a time for tradition, celebration, and perhaps a little bit of overindulgence. But for a select group of quarterbacks this year, the holiday offers no respite. Instead, it serves as a glaring spotlight, illuminating the cracks in their seasons and the immense weight resting on their shoulder pads. In the latest segment of “First Things First,” the gloves came off as the hosts unveiled the infamous “Bud List”—a ranking not of the best players, but of those under the most suffocating pressure to perform.

The revelations were stark, the critiques were brutal, and the implications for the rest of the 2025 season are nothing short of monumental. From fading dynasties to quarterback controversies involving rookie phenoms, this Thanksgiving weekend is shaping up to be a defining moment in modern NFL history.

Dak Prescott: The Fight for a “Shiny Moment”

Landing at number three on the pressure list is none other than Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. For Cowboys fans, the narrative is exhausting but familiar: a talented team that teeters on the edge of greatness but often stumbles when the lights are brightest.

The stakes for Prescott this Thursday are crystal clear. While a loss to the Kansas City Chiefs doesn’t mathematically eliminate the Cowboys from postseason contention, the panel argued that it essentially seals their fate. One host warned that with the current standings, the Cowboys aren’t getting into the playoffs with a 10-6-1 record.

However, the flip side of this pressure is a golden opportunity. The Cowboys are set to face a Chiefs team that is arguably vulnerable, and a victory here could rewrite the story of Prescott’s career. The host posited that if Dak can topple Mahomes and steer Dallas into the playoffs, it would be the “shiny moment” of his career. It’s a chance to silence the doubters who point to his playoff failures as the defining image of his tenure. For Dak, this isn’t just a game; it’s a legacy check.

Patrick Mahomes: A Dynasty on the Brink?

Perhaps the most shocking inclusion on the list was Patrick Mahomes at number two. For years, Mahomes has been the inevitable force of the NFL, the player who laughs in the face of pressure. But 2025 has been different. The Chiefs sit at a mediocre 5-5, a record that was once unthinkable for a Patrick Mahomes-led squad.

The critique was withering. The host described the Cowboys’ defense as “toothless,” despite some recent improvements. The implication is devastating: if Mahomes cannot dissect a subpar defense in a must-win game, what hope does he have against the juggernauts like the Texans or the Chargers down the stretch?

Yet, the “Mahomes Magic” is the X-factor that refuses to die. The panel acknowledged that if Mahomes can drag this 5-5 team “back from the dead” and win a Super Bowl, it would eclipse all his previous achievements. But that journey starts—or ends—this Thanksgiving. A loss here doesn’t just hurt their record; it shatters the aura of invincibility that has protected the Chiefs Kingdom for half a decade.

Lamar Jackson: No More Excuses

Topping the list at number one was Lamar Jackson, a player whose brilliance is undeniable but whose current circumstances demand perfection. Jackson has admitted to being “banged up,” but the “Bud List” offers no quarter for injuries.

The Ravens are facing a Cincinnati Bengals team with a defense that the host savagely labeled “the worst defense in football by a large margin”. For Lamar, this is the ultimate “get right” game. The expectation is not just to win, but to dominate. With Derrick Henry in the backfield and the defense playing well, the burden falls squarely on Jackson to recapture his MVP form. Anything less than a stellar performance against a struggling rival will raise serious questions about the Ravens’ legitimacy as a Super Bowl contender in the AFC.

The Brock Purdy & Shedeur Sanders Bombshell

While the top three garnered headlines, the most explosive discussion came from the “Coach’s” addition to the list: San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy. The “Mr. Irrelevant” fairy tale seems to be hitting a dark chapter.

Purdy’s recent numbers are alarming—five touchdowns against seven interceptions, with a pedestrian 67.6 completion percentage. Facing a Cleveland Browns defense led by Myles Garrett, who is reportedly out to turn the game “upside down,” Purdy is walking into a buzzsaw.

But the real story is the shadow lurking on the sidelines. The discussion took a stunning turn when the possibility of a benching was raised. The host noted that if Purdy throws three interceptions again, rookie Shedeur Sanders, who has had a “whole week of practice,” is waiting in the wings. The mention of Sanders suggests a quarterback controversy is brewing in the Bay. The idea that Purdy, a Super Bowl starter, could be pulled for Sanders is the kind of drama that defines NFL chaos. If Purdy falters early, we could witness the beginning of the Shedeur era sooner than anyone anticipated.

The Glaring Omission: Ja’Marr Chase

No controversial list is complete without a snub, and the “Sports Media Ombudsman” segment highlighted a massive one: Ja’Marr Chase. The Bengals receiver was left off the list despite a tumultuous week involving a suspension for “spitting in Jalen Ramsey’s face”.

With Joe Burrow back and Tee Higgins out, the pressure on Chase to perform and redeem himself is immense. The accusation that the host left him off to protect his beloved Ravens adds a layer of petty rivalry that fans eat up. Chase enters the week not just needing to catch passes, but needing to repair his reputation.

Conclusion

As we carve the turkeys and settle in for a weekend of football, the narratives are set. Dak Prescott is fighting for respect. Patrick Mahomes is fighting for survival. Lamar Jackson is fighting for dominance. And Brock Purdy is fighting to keep his job.

The “Bud List” has laid it all out on the table. These aren’t just games; they are crossroads. By Monday morning, careers will be altered, narratives will be rewritten, and we will know who thrived under the pressure—and who cracked.