Thanksgiving Day in the United States is not just about turkey and gatherings with family; it's also a time-honored tradition of American football. Since as far back as the early days of the National Football League (NFL), fans have enjoyed this festive holiday with games broadcast from the homes of the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions. As we look forward to this year’s Thanksgiving festivities, the Lions will be welcoming the Chicago Bears, while the Cowboys will play host to the New York Giants. Meanwhile, the Miami Dolphins are set to travel to Wisconsin to face off against the Green Bay Packers.
The Thanksgiving Tradition
The Detroit Lions kicked off this football tradition in 1934, and it has since become a cherished occasion in the NFL calendar. Although the Lions’ Thanksgiving Day lineup briefly paused from 1939 through 1944 during World War II, it resumed thereafter and has continued to be a staple ever since. Over the years, the Lions have played 84 times on Thanksgiving, ending up with a record of 37 wins, 45 losses, and 2 ties. Their history on the holiday is richer than any other team, offering a retrospective of the league's evolution. This year's Thanksgiving Day game for the Lions will commence at 12:30 p.m. ET, in which they will battle their storied rivals, the Chicago Bears. It promises to be a compelling matchup with a deep historical backdrop.
Cowboys Enter the Scene
Though the Cowboys entered the tradition many years later than the Lions, their Thanksgiving games have equally left an indelible mark on the fabric of NFL history. The Cowboys began their Thanksgiving Day chronicles in 1966. Notably, they missed two opportunities: in 1975 and 1977, when they did not participate due to changes in the NFL’s scheduling. Nonetheless, the Cowboys have played in 56 Thanksgiving games and have compiled an impressive record of 33 wins, 22 losses, and one tie. This year's contest against the New York Giants will begin at 4:30 p.m. ET, and it's one that holds weight in terms of divisional rivalry and playoff implications.
Expanding the Slate
Modern Thanksgiving in the NFL wouldn't be complete without the addition of an evening game, a practice that began in 2006. This year, the Miami Dolphins and Green Bay Packers will close out the holiday’s action in a primetime matchup at 8:20 p.m. ET. While the Dolphins-Packers game may seem like a novel pairing for Thanksgiving, it embodies the NFL's ongoing effort to bring more teams into the spotlight on this cherished holiday.
Not All Teams Make the Cut
Despite the longstanding tradition, not every team has had the opportunity to partake in the Thanksgiving feast of football. Significantly, the Jacksonville Jaguars hold the unusual distinction of never having played on Thanksgiving Day. One can only speculate whether the NFL's evolving schedule might eventually offer them their moment under the holiday lights.
As families gather across America, they will undoubtedly tune in to witness a day filled with Thanksgiving football tradition. And while the games on the schedule bring new matchups annually, the enduring presence of the Cowboys and the Lions offers a comforting consistency amid the holiday’s ever-changing landscape. So, as these teams prepare to etch another chapter in the annals of Thanksgiving Day NFL history, fans can appreciate the rich tradition and spirited competition that have made these games a centerpiece of the holiday season for decades.