Every year, as the aroma of roasted turkey and pumpkin pie fills our homes, the NFL serves up a football feast that’s as much a part of the holiday as family and football. It’s a tradition as old as time… well, at least since the 1930s. Here’s all you need to know about why we watch the same teams every year for NFL Thanksgiving
Why do the Cowboys and Lions always play on Thanksgiving Day?
Two teams have been the mainstays of Thanksgiving Day football: the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions.
The Lions, the original Thanksgiving Day team, have been playing on the holiday since 1934. Back in the day, owner George A. Richards was a marketing genius who saw the potential of Thanksgiving football to draw fans. And boy, did it work! The Lions packed the stadium, and the rest is history.
The event drew 26,000 fans and led to the Lions hosting a game every Thanksgiving since, except for a brief hiatus during World War II from 1939 to 1944
The Cowboys joined the Thanksgiving party in 1966, and they’ve been a staple ever since. Tex Schramm, the team’s legendary general manager, knew a good marketing opportunity when he saw one, with over 80,000 fans attending their inaugural Thanksgiving match against the Cleveland Browns.
The Cowboys have participated in every Thanksgiving game since then, with only two exceptions in 1975 and 1977, when the St. Louis Cardinals played instead. Since then the Cowboys’ games on Thanksgiving have become a tradition for many families across the country.
The consistent presence of the Lions and Cowboys on Thanksgiving has made these matchups synonymous with the holiday. Currently, the NFL typically schedules three games on Thanksgiving Day: one hosted by the Lions, another by the Cowboys, and a third primetime game featuring various teams.
This format has been in place since 2006 when a third game was added to accommodate more teams and enhance viewership
A feast of football: Thanksgiving’s trifecta
In recent years, the NFL has expanded Thanksgiving Day football to include a triple-header. This year, we’ve got the Chicago Bears taking on the Detroit Lions, the New York Giants battling the Dallas Cowboys, and the Miami Dolphins squaring off against the Green Bay Packers.
NFL Thanksgiving games 2024: Where and how to watch the games?
Chicago Bears vs. Detroit Lions
- Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
- Kickoff: 12:30pm ET | Channel: CBS
The Lions, continuing their Thanksgiving tradition since 1934, host the Bears in a historic rivalry. Expect a fierce contest to kick off the holiday games.
New York Giants vs. Dallas Cowboys
- Location: AT&T Stadium, Arlington, Texas
- Kickoff: 4:30pm ET | Channel: Fox
The Cowboys, a Thanksgiving staple since 1966, face division rivals the Giants. This matchup promises classic drama and big plays.
Miami Dolphins vs. Green Bay Packers
- Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, Wisconsin
- Kickoff: 8:20pm ET | Channel: NBC
The Packers take on the Dolphins under the lights at Lambeau. Watch for a battle between Green Bay’s tradition and Miami’s explosive offense.
NFL on Thanksgiving Day: Year-by-year history
- Detroit Lions: 37-45-2 (last game: 29-22 loss to Packers, 2023)
- Dallas Cowboys: 33-22-1 (last game: 45-10 win over Commanders, 2023)
- Chicago Bears: 20-15-2 (last game: 16-14 win over Lions, 2021)
- New York Giants: 7-6-3 (last game: 28-20 loss to Cowboys, 2022)
- Green Bay Packers: 15-20-2 (last game: 29-22 win over Lions, 2023)
- Miami Dolphins: 5-2 (last game: 20-19 loss to Cowboys, 2011)
Cowboys and Lions: Thanksgiving Records and Highlights
Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving Record
- All-time: 33-22-1
- Streaks: Won six straight games in the 1980s (1980-85); snapped a three-game losing streak in 2022 with a win over the Giants.
- Notable Game: A 45-10 victory against the Commanders in 2023 extended their two-year Thanksgiving win streak.
Detroit Lions Thanksgiving Record
- All-time: 37-45-2
- Streaks: Last win in 2016 against the Vikings; currently on an eight-year Thanksgiving drought.
- Historic Matchup: Thursday marks Detroit’s 85th Thanksgiving game, including 19 meetings with the Bears (11-8 in favor of Chicago).
- Key Highlight: In 2016, Matt Prater’s game-winning 40-yard field goal sealed a 16-13 victory over the Vikings, briefly placing the Lions atop the NFC North.
Which team has the most Thanksgiving NFL wins
Detroit Lions: The Lions lead with 37 Thanksgiving victories, the most in NFL history. However, their last win came in 2016, and they’re currently on a seven-game holiday losing streak.
Dallas Cowboys: Close behind, the Cowboys have 33 Thanksgiving wins, securing their spot as the second-most successful team on Turkey Day.
Who has the most Thanksgiving losses?
Detroit Lions: The Lions also hold the record for the most losses, with 45 all-time Thanksgiving defeats. Their frequent appearances on the holiday, spanning decades, contribute to this statistic.
Dallas Cowboys: Second on this list, the Cowboys have 22 losses.
Green Bay Packers: The Packers follow with 20 losses, rounding out the top three.
Read More: NFL Thanksgiving Games 2024: Which teams will play on Thanksgiving in 2024? NFL Thanksgiving Triple Header
Image: Imagn Images
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