Pass the gravy. Kick the ball.
Honestly, it’s hard to imagine one without the other at this point. Thanksgiving Day games have become this weird, immovable pillar of American culture where we all agree to sit on the couch in a turkey-induced stupor and watch the Detroit Lions lose—or, lately, actually win—while arguing about whether the stuffing is too dry. It isn't just about football, though the NFL certainly acts like they invented the holiday. It’s about a deeply rhythmic tradition that started way back in 1876, long before the "Super Bowl" was even a glimmer in a marketing executive's eye.
You’ve got the smell of roasting bird in the kitchen and the sound of pads clashing on a 4K screen. It’s a sensory overload. But why do we do this? Why do the same two teams, the Lions and the Dallas Cowboys, get to hog the spotlight every single year while other fanbases grumble into their pumpkin pie?
The Detroit and Dallas Monopoly
It feels unfair. I get it. If you’re a fan of the Jaguars or the Falcons, you’re basically relegated to the "maybe every ten years" slot.
The Detroit Lions started this whole thing in 1934. George A. Richards, who owned the team back then, was looking for a way to get people into the stands because, frankly, Detroit wasn't exactly a powerhouse. He also happened to own a radio station that was an NBC affiliate. He used those connections to make sure the game was broadcast across the country. It worked. People tuned in. The Lions have played on Thanksgiving every year since, with the exception of a brief hiatus during World War II. It’s a bit of a local birthright now.
Then you have the Cowboys. Texas Schramm, the legendary Cowboys GM, saw what Detroit was doing and wanted a piece of that sweet, sweet national exposure in 1966. He basically volunteered his team to play on the holiday, betting that the "America's Team" brand would explode if they were the only thing on TV while everyone was digesting. He was right.
Does it actually matter who plays?
Sorta. But also no.
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The NFL added a third "prime-time" game in 2006 because they realized they were leaving money on the table. This third slot doesn't have a fixed host. It’s a rotating cast, often featuring heavy hitters like the Packers, Bears, or Ravens. This is where the league tries to fix the "boring game" problem that occasionally plagues the afternoon. If the Lions are 0-10, at least you have a nightcap featuring two playoff contenders to keep the ratings high.
But even when the games are blowouts, we watch. The 2023 Thanksgiving slate averaged 34.1 million viewers. That’s an absurd number. To put that in perspective, most "hit" TV shows would kill for a fraction of that. We aren't just watching the game; we are participating in a synchronized national event.
More Than Just the NFL
While the NFL is the 800-pound gorilla in the room, Thanksgiving Day games actually span a much wider net. If you grew up in the Northeast or parts of the Midwest, your "real" Thanksgiving game happened at 10:00 AM on a muddy high school field.
- High School Rivalries: Known as "Turkey Bowls," these games are often the biggest social event of the year for small towns. Think Easton vs. Phillipsburg in Pennsylvania/New Jersey—a rivalry that has been running for over a century. These kids are playing for pride, but for the alumni in the stands, it’s a high school reunion with shoulder pads.
- College Football: While most big college games moved to the Friday after (Black Friday), some traditional matchups still linger or have legendary status. The Egg Bowl (Ole Miss vs. Mississippi State) has frequently occupied the Thanksgiving night slot, providing some of the most chaotic, bizarre football moments in history. Remember the "piss-miss" penalty in 2019? That’s Thanksgiving magic, right there.
- The Backyard Brawl: Almost every family has one. It’s the game where Uncle Dave tries to prove he’s still got a 4.4 forty-yard dash and ends up pulling a hamstring before the first touchdown. It’s the most dangerous game played on the holiday, usually resulting in more ice packs than points.
The Economics of the Turkey Day Slate
Television networks—CBS, FOX, and NBC—treat Thanksgiving like their own personal Christmas.
Advertisers pay a premium that would make your head spin. Because the audience is "co-viewing" (meaning families are watching together rather than on separate devices), it’s a goldmine for movie trailers, truck commercials, and insurance ads. You’ve noticed how the commercials feel more like short films on this day? That’s intentional. They know they have the most captive audience of the year.
John Madden, the late, great coaching and broadcasting legend, probably did more for the "brand" of Thanksgiving football than anyone else. He introduced the "Turkey Leg Award." He talked about "Turducken"—a chicken inside a duck inside a turkey. He made the game feel like a dinner party. When he gave a greasy turkey leg to a sweaty, 300-pound lineman on national TV, it bridged the gap between the elite athletes and the guys sitting on their couches in sweatpants.
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The Lions Curse and Modern Realities
For decades, the "Detroit game" was a bit of a joke. People would complain that we were forced to watch bad football while we ate. But things have shifted. The Lions are actually good now. Under Dan Campbell, they’ve turned into a team that people actually want to see. This changes the dynamic. When the host teams are competitive, the holiday feels different. It feels like the stakes are higher.
There's also the gambling aspect. With the legalization of sports betting in so many states, Thanksgiving Day games have seen a massive spike in "prop bets." People aren't just watching to see who wins; they're checking their phones to see if a specific wide receiver gets over 52.5 yards. It adds a layer of (sometimes stressful) engagement to an otherwise relaxing day.
The Strategy of Watching (And Surviving)
If you’re the one hosting, the games are a double-edged sword. On one hand, it keeps the guests out of the kitchen. On the other, you have to manage the seating chart so the person who hates the Cowboys isn't sitting next to the person wearing a Dak Prescott jersey.
- The Early Window (Lions Game): This is for prep. You’re peeling potatoes. You’re checking the bird. The game is background noise. If Detroit scores, you cheer, but you don’t stop dicing the onions.
- The Afternoon Window (Cowboys Game): This is the main event. Dinner is usually served right before or during this game. This is where the "Thanksgiving Nap" threat is at its highest. If the game is a blowout by the third quarter, half the room will be snoring.
- The Night Window: This is for the survivors. The dishes are done. The leftovers are already being turned into sandwiches. This is the "hardcore fan" game.
Why We Can't Quit the Tradition
Critics sometimes argue that football shouldn't own a national holiday. They say it’s too violent or too commercialized for a day about "giving thanks."
Maybe. But there’s a nuance they’re missing.
In a world that’s increasingly fractured, where everyone is in their own digital bubble, Thanksgiving Day games are one of the last few "water cooler" moments we have left. It’s a shared language. You can talk to a stranger at the airport or your estranged nephew about a missed field goal or a great halftime show, and for a second, you’re on the same page.
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It’s the rhythm of it. The consistency. Knowing that no matter how much the world changes, the Lions will be playing at 12:30 PM ET on the fourth Thursday of November. There’s a weird comfort in that.
Making the Most of the Day
If you want to actually enjoy the games this year instead of just letting them pass you by, you need a plan.
Set up a "Second Screen" area. Not everyone wants to watch football. If you have a separate room with a smaller TV or just a "no-football zone," your non-fan guests will thank you.
Don't over-schedule. The biggest mistake people make is trying to eat exactly at halftime. Halftime is only about 12 to 15 minutes in the NFL (unless there’s a big musical act). You’re better off aiming for "whenever the turkey is done" and letting the game be the secondary clock.
Engage with the history. Tell the kids about the "Bounty Bowl" of 1989 or Leon Lett’s infamous slide in the snow in 1993. These games are a living archive of NFL history.
Check the injury reports early. If you are playing fantasy football or just want to know what’s going on, don't wait until kickoff. Thanksgiving games are notorious for "short weeks," meaning players are often banged up and teams have to use simplified playbooks. Expect the unexpected.
The Thanksgiving Day games aren't going anywhere. They are as much a part of the holiday as the cranberry sauce from a can. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just there for the pie, the games provide the heartbeat for the day.
Next steps for your holiday planning:
- Confirm the kickoff times (usually 12:30 PM, 4:30 PM, and 8:20 PM ET).
- Download a sports app to track live scores if you're stuck in the kitchen.
- Prep your "Turducken" jokes—they never get old, even if the meat does.