Episode Synopsis:

The One With the Football (03.09)

While watching a Thanksgiving day football game on TV, Joey, Rachel and Phoebe get the idea to play a game themselves. Chandler is depressed over his recent split from Janice (the time they were actually happy, but she went back to her estranged husband), so he is reluctant.

The Gellars, as it turns out, are "not allowed" to play football. During a yearly family game known as the Gellar Bowl, Monica broke Ross' nose. Their parents declared they couldn't play football anymore, because it made them too competitive and violent. Monica convinces Ross that as adults, it should be okay to play... well, technically, she convinces him by calling him a wuss.

During the course of the game, Joey and Chandler meet a Dutch woman named Margha (which neither of them can pronounce). They vie for her attention, to the point where it hinders their playing. An annoyed Ross finally asks Margha which one she likes. She chooses Chandler, but quickly changes to no one, after witnessing Chandler's excessive celebration.

Monica and Ross are bickering like teenagers during the entire game. It becomes pretty clear why their parents made them stop when they were kids. Ross is having a hard time accepting Monica's team winning, so they agree to swap teammates. It is then the guys vs. the girls.

Phoebe gets the idea to flash Chandler, in order to distract him. It works. The ladies continue to distract the men in various ways as the game goes on.

Monica, who has been avoiding throwing to Rachel (because she is awful at football), finally has no other option. Rachel catches it this time (accompanied by dramatic music), runs and spikes the ball in triumph. Chandler and Phoebe realize the ball is still technically in play, and everyone dives for it.

Time elapses and Rachel, Joey, Phoebe and Chandler are shown eating in Monica's apartment. Cut to Ross and Monica, still clinging to the ball, fighting over it in the dark. Snow starts to fall as the credits roll.