Football and turkey. They basically go together like salt and pepper at this point. If you grew up in a house where the Detroit Lions were always on the TV before the rolls were even out of the oven, you know the drill. But the 2025-2026 season isn't just sticking to the "same old" script. Honestly, the lineup for this year is a weird, high-stakes mix of ancient rivalries and some "first-ever" moments that might actually make you put down your fork.
If you’re wondering who's playing on thanksgiving nfl this year, we’ve got a triple-header that spans from the frozen turf of the North to a massive cross-conference showdown in Texas, finally ending with a slugfest in Baltimore.
The Early Bird: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
It wouldn't be Thanksgiving without Detroit. The Lions have been doing this since 1934 because a guy named George A. Richards wanted to sell tickets. It worked. Now, we’re looking at the 23rd time the Packers and Lions have faced off on this specific holiday.
Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. ET on FOX.
Don't let the "tradition" part fool you into thinking this is just a nostalgia trip. The NFC North is a total meat grinder lately. The Chicago Bears have been surprisingly red-hot, leaving Green Bay and Detroit to scrap for every inch of divisional turf. Last year, the Lions swept the series, but the Packers have historically owned Turkey Day. You've got Jordan Love looking to solidify his legacy in a stadium that will be absolutely deafening. If Jahmyr Gibbs starts finding those lanes early, Detroit might actually keep the "home-field holiday" curse at bay.
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The Afternoon Main Event: Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys
This is the one everyone is circling. 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS. You’ve got the Super Bowl LIX runners-up, the Kansas City Chiefs, heading into Jerry World to face "America’s Team."
It's actually kinda wild when you think about it: Patrick Mahomes has never played on Thanksgiving. For a guy who has done everything else in the league, this is a major box to check. This isn't a common matchup, either. The last time these two played on the holiday was back in 1995. Michael Irvin was the hero then, but today the narrative is all about whether Dak Prescott can handle the Mahomes-Kelce highlight reel.
Dallas is coming off a massive, season-saving comeback against the Eagles. They’re sitting right at .500, and their playoff hopes are basically dangling by a thread. A win against the Chiefs in front of a national audience? That’s the kind of momentum that changes a franchise's entire December.
The Nightcap: Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
By 8:20 p.m. ET, you’re probably in a food coma. Pull it together, because NBC is bringing an AFC North bloodbath to your living room. The Bengals are heading to M&T Bank Stadium, and it’s personal.
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The Ravens are currently the kings of the North, but Joe Burrow is a nightmare for Baltimore’s secondary when he’s healthy. The big question mark here is Burrow’s recent toe injury. If he’s 100%, we’re looking at a shootout between him and Lamar Jackson. If he's limited, Lamar and Derrick Henry might just run the clock out before the fourth quarter even starts.
The Full Thanksgiving NFL Schedule
- Game 1: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions | 1:00 p.m. ET | FOX
- Game 2: Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys | 4:30 p.m. ET | CBS
- Game 3: Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens | 8:20 p.m. ET | NBC
Wait, What About Black Friday?
The NFL is greedy—in a way fans actually like. They’ve turned Friday into a "fourth" Thanksgiving game. This year, the Chicago Bears travel to Philadelphia to take on the Eagles at 3:00 p.m. ET on Amazon Prime Video. It’s basically a four-day football bender. If you’re a fantasy manager, this weekend is basically your Super Bowl before the actual playoffs.
How to Watch Without Losing Your Mind
Look, navigating three different apps and channels while your uncle asks why they don't "just run the ball" is stressful. Here is the quick cheat sheet for streaming:
- FOX Game: Use the FOX Sports app or Tubi (it's actually free there sometimes).
- CBS Game: Paramount+ is your best bet if you don’t have a digital antenna.
- NBC Game: Peacock is the exclusive streaming home for the night game.
Why These Games Matter More Than Usual
Usually, Thanksgiving games are about the spectacle. This year, the parity in the league is so tight that these aren't just "show" games. Every single team playing on Thursday is either fighting for a division lead or trying to claw back into a Wild Card spot. There are no "easy" wins on this slate.
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Who's playing on thanksgiving nfl isn't just a trivia question this year—it's a preview of the January playoffs. You’ve got three reigning MVPs or MVP-level talents (Mahomes, Lamar, Dak) and the rising stars in Detroit and Green Bay.
To get the most out of the day, make sure your streaming apps are updated at least 24 hours in advance. Nothing kills the vibe like a "Mandatory Update" screen while the Lions are on the 5-yard line. Set your fantasy lineups early, check the weather reports for Baltimore (it gets windy by the harbor), and maybe have a backup plan for the Black Friday game if you're out shopping.
Pay close attention to the injury reports for Joe Burrow and the Cowboys' secondary leading up to Wednesday afternoon. Those late-breaking updates usually dictate how the betting lines move and, more importantly, how much yelling will happen around your dinner table.