Football and turkey. They basically go together like peanut butter and jelly at this point. If you grew up in a house where the TV was glued to a stadium in Detroit or Dallas while the smell of stuffing filled the air, you aren't alone. It's a rhythm millions of us fall into every November. But have you ever actually stopped to wonder why it’s always those specific teams? Like, why does Detroit get a pass every single year regardless of their record?
Honestly, the "who" part of the equation is the easy bit. The "why" is where it gets a little more interesting.
Who plays in the nfl on thanksgiving and how the schedule works
The NFL has a very specific formula for the holiday. It’s a tripleheader. Every year, without fail, the Detroit Lions host the early game. Then, the Dallas Cowboys take over the afternoon slot. Finally, we get a primetime "Night Cap" game that moves around to different cities.
In 2025, the lineup was particularly heavy on the star power.
- 1:00 PM ET: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions (FOX)
- 4:30 PM ET: Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys (CBS)
- 8:20 PM ET: Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (NBC)
The early game at Ford Field saw the Packers edge out the Lions 31-24. It was a classic NFC North scrap. Then, the afternoon turned into a total ratings monster as Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs visited Jerry World. The Cowboys actually pulled that one out, winning 31-28 in a game that apparently broke regular-season viewership records with over 57 million people watching. Think about that. That's a massive chunk of the country watching a football game instead of talking to their relatives.
The night game was a bit of a blowout, with the Bengals taking down the Ravens 32-14. Baltimore usually plays well on the holiday (they were 2-0 going into that one), but the Bengals just had their number that night.
✨ Don't miss: Mizzou 2024 Football Schedule: What Most People Get Wrong
Why does Detroit always host the early game?
It feels like a weird tradition if you don't know the backstory. It started back in 1934. George A. Richards had just bought the Portsmouth Spartans and moved them to Detroit, renaming them the Lions. The problem? Nobody cared. Detroit was a baseball town, and the Tigers were the only show in city.
Richards was a radio executive, and he knew how to move the needle. He figured that if he scheduled a game on Thanksgiving, people might actually show up because they had the day off. He used his connections to get the game broadcast on 94 radio stations across the country. It worked. 26,000 people crammed into the stadium, which was a huge deal back then. The Lions lost to the Chicago Bears that day, but the tradition stuck. Aside from a break during World War II, they’ve hosted every year since.
The Dallas Cowboys and the "America’s Team" factor
Dallas didn't start their tradition until 1966. Tex Schramm, the legendary Cowboys GM, saw what Detroit was doing and wanted in on that national exposure. He knew his team needed a bigger stage to become a national brand. The NFL was actually worried people wouldn't show up to a game on a holiday in Texas, but Schramm was right. Over 80,000 fans packed the Cotton Bowl to see them beat the Browns.
There were a couple of years in the 70s—specifically 1975 and 1977—where the NFL tried to give the slot to the St. Louis Cardinals to spread the wealth. It was a total flop. Fans hated it. The league realized people wanted the Cowboys on Thanksgiving, and they’ve been a fixture ever since.
The newer tradition: The Thanksgiving Night Cap
For a long time, it was just the two games. If you weren't a Lions or Cowboys fan, you sort of just hoped for a good matchup. That changed in 2006 when the NFL added a third game.
🔗 Read more: Current Score of the Steelers Game: Why the 30-6 Texans Blowout Changed Everything
This game is different because it doesn't have a "permanent" host. The league treats it like a flexible primetime slot. They usually try to schedule a high-stakes divisional rivalry. In 2025, we saw the Bengals and Ravens, but in years past, we've seen everything from the 49ers and Seahawks to the Egg Bowl-style rivalry of the Steelers and Ravens.
Important Note: There is also a "Black Friday" game now, which started in 2023. It’s not technically on Thanksgiving, but it’s part of the holiday package. In 2025, the Chicago Bears played the Philadelphia Eagles on Amazon Prime Video the day after the big feast.
Surprising records and "The Madden Factor"
You can't talk about who plays in the nfl on thanksgiving without mentioning John Madden. He's the guy who turned the turkey leg into a trophy. Starting in 1989, Madden began awarding a literal turkey leg to the MVP of the game he was calling. Eventually, he upgraded it to a "turducken"—a chicken inside a duck inside a turkey.
It sounds ridiculous, but players genuinely care about it. Seeing a 300-pound lineman gnawing on a drumstick while covered in turf is a holiday staple. Since 2022, the NFL officially branded the holiday as the "John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration" to honor his legacy.
| Team | Thanksgiving Status | Notable Fact |
|---|---|---|
| Detroit Lions | Permanent Host | Have played over 80 times on the holiday. |
| Dallas Cowboys | Permanent Host | Their games are often the most-watched of the season. |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | The Outsider | As of early 2026, they are the only team to never play on the holiday. |
| Baltimore Ravens | Primetime Regular | Held an undefeated holiday record for years until 2025. |
Why it actually matters for the playoffs
By the time Thanksgiving rolls around, we’re usually in Week 12 or 13. The "pretenders" have been weeded out. The games on this day often have massive playoff implications.
💡 You might also like: Last Match Man City: Why Newcastle Couldn't Stop the Semenyo Surge
Take the 2025 Packers-Lions game. Both teams were chasing the Chicago Bears for the NFC North lead at the time. A loss on national TV doesn't just ruin your dinner; it can effectively end your season. Because these games are played on a short week (teams usually play Sunday, then again on Thursday), the quality of play can be a little "messy." You see more turnovers and more exhausted defenses. That's part of the charm. It’s gritty.
What to expect if you're watching next year
If you're planning your 2026 holiday, you already know the basics: Detroit starts us off, Dallas takes the middle, and a wild card finishes the night.
But keep an eye on the "flex" scheduling. While the hosts don't change, the opponents do. The NFL usually releases the full schedule in mid-May. If a team like the Houston Texans or the Detroit Lions (who are actually good now) is on a hot streak, expect them to get the "A-team" broadcast crew and the most hype.
Quick tips for the ultimate viewing experience:
- Check the apps: Most games are on FOX, CBS, and NBC. If you're a cord-cutter, you'll need Paramount+ (for CBS games), Peacock (for NBC), and usually a service like Fubo or YouTube TV for FOX.
- The Halftime Shows: The NFL has started leaning into massive halftime performances again. In 2025, we had Jack White in Detroit and Post Malone in Dallas. It's becoming more like the Super Bowl every year.
- Fantasy Football: This is the "danger zone." Three games on Thursday means a huge chunk of your roster might be done before Friday morning. Set your lineups early.
Actionable Insights for Next Season
To make the most of the holiday slate, download the NFL app or follow the league's official schedule release in May 2026. This is when the opponents for the Lions and Cowboys are confirmed. If you're traveling, make sure your streaming apps (Paramount+, Peacock, and FOX Sports) are updated and logged in on your mobile devices, as these games are some of the only ones that are consistently broadcast nationwide without local blackout restrictions.