Look, everyone knows the drill. You eat too much turkey, argue with your uncle about the cranberry sauce, and eventually, everyone migrates to the couch to watch grown men run into each other. It’s a ritual. But if you’re trying to plan your nap or your dinner time, you need to know exactly what teams are playing thanksgiving this year.
The 2025 slate is actually pretty wild. We’ve got the usual suspects, of course, but the matchups this time around feel like they have a bit more "teeth" than some of the duds we've seen in recent years. We aren't just getting tradition; we’re getting actual playoff implications and a few high-profile debuts in stadiums where certain stars have never set foot.
The Early Bird: Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions
It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without the Lions. They’ve been doing this since 1934 because a guy named George A. Richards wanted to sell more radio ads. Honestly, it worked. This year, the Lions are hosting their NFC North rivals, the Green Bay Packers.
- Kickoff Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: FOX
- The Vibe: High-stakes divisional drama.
The Lions have a bit of a chip on their shoulder here. They’ve been the "it" team in the North recently, but the Packers and Jordan Love have this annoying habit of playing spoiler. Last year, Green Bay actually took down the Lions on Turkey Day, and Detroit fans haven't forgotten that. If you're looking for a game where the fans are genuinely loud and the rivalry is actually bitter, this is the one to catch while you're still prepping the stuffing.
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The Main Course: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Dallas Cowboys
This is the big one. The "America’s Team" vs. "The Dynasty" showdown. The Kansas City Chiefs are heading to Arlington to face the Dallas Cowboys. It’s kind of crazy when you think about it, but Patrick Mahomes has never actually played a regular-season game at AT&T Stadium until now.
- Kickoff Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: CBS
- Why it matters: It’s a ratings monster.
Dallas is always a fixture in the late afternoon slot. They’ve played 57 Thanksgiving games and have a winning record, but the Chiefs are a different beast. Expect a shootout. Dak Prescott usually plays lights-out on the holiday, but Mahomes is Mahomes. This is the game that will likely be on in the background of every living room in the country while people are actually eating.
The Nightcap: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens
Once the food coma starts to set in, the NFL is giving us a primetime AFC North slugfest. The Cincinnati Bengals are visiting the Baltimore Ravens. This is arguably the best "pure football" matchup of the day.
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- Kickoff Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: NBC/Peacock
- The Draw: Lamar Jackson vs. Joe Burrow.
There was some drama earlier in the season about Burrow’s health, but all signs point to him being fully back for this one. The Ravens have been on a tear, leaning heavily on the duo of Lamar and Derrick Henry. If you like physical, "black and blue" division football, stay awake for this one. It’s much better than whatever holiday movie your cousin is trying to put on.
Don't Forget the "Black Friday" Bonus
The NFL decided one day wasn't enough, so they’ve carved out a permanent spot for the day after. On Friday, November 28, the Chicago Bears take on the Philadelphia Eagles at 3:00 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime. It’s technically part of the Thanksgiving weekend "feast," and if you're a fan of either team, your holiday weekend is going to be defined by this result.
College Football and Other Distractions
While the NFL dominates the conversation, there’s some college action worth noting. The Navy vs. Memphis game is happening Thursday night at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN. It’s a solid alternative if you've had enough of the pros. Also, the legendary Tuskegee vs. Alabama State (the Turkey Day Classic) is a massive tradition in HBCU football that kicks off at 3:00 p.m. ET.
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How to Actually Watch Everything
Don't get caught hunting for a login while the opening kickoff is happening.
- Antenna Power: Since the three NFL games are on FOX, CBS, and NBC, a simple over-the-air antenna gets you all of them for free in HD.
- Streaming: If you’re a cord-cutter, you’ll need Paramount+ for the Cowboys game and Peacock for the Ravens game. The Lions/Packers game on FOX can be streamed on the FOX Sports app or even for free on Tubi in some markets.
- Black Friday: You absolutely need an Amazon Prime subscription for the Bears/Eagles game. There’s no traditional TV broadcast for that one unless you live in the local markets of Chicago or Philly.
Actionable Takeaways for Your Thanksgiving
To make the most of the day, keep these tips in mind. Set your dinner for halftime of the Cowboys/Chiefs game (roughly 6:00 p.m. ET) if you want to avoid missing the best plays. If you're a fantasy football manager, remember that Thursday games are notorious for "dud" performances because of the short week—don't overthink your lineup, but do make sure your starters are actually active. Finally, check the weather for the Baltimore game; late November in Maryland can get messy, and that usually favors the Ravens' run game.