What NFL Team Has Played the Most Thanksgiving Day Games?

The Detroit Lions have played on Thanksgiving Day more than any other NFL team.

The History of the NFL on Thanksgiving Day

The NFL has a long history of playing games on Thanksgiving day. The first Thanksgiving Day game was played in Detroit in 1934. The Lions have played the most Thanksgiving Day games, a total of 77 times. The Cowboys have played the second most, a total of 57 times.

The First NFL Game on Thanksgiving Day

The NFL has a long history of playing games on Thanksgiving Day, dating back to its inaugural season in 1920. The first NFL game on Thanksgiving Day was played between the Detroit Heralds and the Buffalo All-Americans, two of the league’s original 14 teams. The game was played in Detroit and ended in a scoreless tie.

In the years that followed, more and more teams began scheduling games on Thanksgiving Day, and by 1934, all but one team (the Pittsburgh Steelers) had played at least one game on Thanksgiving. The tradition has continued to this day, with some teams playing every year and others appearing only occasionally.

The Dallas Cowboys have appeared in the most Thanksgiving Day games of any team, with a total of 54 appearances as of 2019. They are followed by the Detroit Lions (51 appearances), Green Bay Packers (48), Miami Dolphins (47), and New York Giants (47).

The First NFL Game on Thanksgiving Day

The very first NFL game on Thanksgiving Day was played on November 26, 1920, between the Chicago Bears and the Decatur Staleys, who later became the Chicago Bears. The game was§500 per team to cover expenses.

The first NFL game on Thanksgiving Day was not televised. In fact, it wasn’t until 1934 that the first NFL game was televised (that was a playoff game between the Detroit Lions and the New York Giants). The first regular season NFL game that was televised on Thanksgiving Day was in 1951, when the Lions hosted the Los Angeles Rams.

The Teams Who Have Played the Most Thanksgiving Day Games

The most common Thanksgiving Day game is the Detroit Lions vs the Dallas Cowboys. These teams have played each other every Thanksgiving Day since 1966. As of 2018, the Cowboys have played in a total of 38 Thanksgiving Day games, while the Lions have played in a total of 41.

The Detroit Lions

The Lions have played on Thanksgiving more than any other NFL team, a tradition that dates back to 1934.

They’ve played every Thanksgiving since, with the exception of 1939-1944 (due to the World War II travel ban) and in 1945, when the holiday was moved up a week to accommodate the end of the war.

In total, the Lions have played on Thanksgiving 86 times, winning 34 of those games.

The Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have played the most Thanksgiving Day games of any NFL team, with a total of 38 appearances as of 2019. They are closely followed by the Detroit Lions, who have played 34 Thanksgiving Day games. The Green Bay Packers, Philadelphia Eagles, and Miami Dolphins have also played a significant number of Thanksgiving Day games, with 29, 21, and 16 appearances respectively.

Why Do These Teams Play on Thanksgiving Day?

The Detroit Lions have played on Thanksgiving Day more than any other team in the NFL, a total of 82 times. The Lions have been playing on Thanksgiving since 1934. The Dallas Cowboys have played on Thanksgiving Day nearly as many times as the Lions, a total of 79 times. The Cowboys have been playing on Thanksgiving since 1966. So, why do these teams play on Thanksgiving Day?

The Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have played on Thanksgiving Day more than any other NFL team. They have done so every year since 1934, with the exception of 1939–1944, due to the deterioration of relations between then- owner George A. Richards and the NFL during the Second World War. The Lions’ longtime Thanksgiving tradition began in 1934 when they hosted the Chicago Bears at University of Detroit Stadium.

The Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have played more Thanksgiving Day games than any other NFL team, a tradition that dates back to their very first season in 1960. They’ve played on Thanksgiving Day every year since 1966, with the exception of 1975 and 1977. In total, the Cowboys have played 30 Thanksgiving Day games, more than any other team in the NFL.

The Cowboys aren’t the only team with a long history of playing on Thanksgiving Day, however. The Detroit Lions have been playing on Thanksgiving Day since 1934, making them the second-oldest tradition in the NFL. The Lions have played on Thanksgiving Day every year since 1957, with the exception of 1963. In total, the Lions have played 29 Thanksgiving Day games.

The Green Bay Packers are another team with a long history of playing on Thanksgiving Day. They first played on Thanksgiving Day in 1923, and they’ve played on Thanksgiving Day every year since 1933 (with the exception of 1939-1944). In total, the Packers have played 26 Thanksgiving Day games.

How Do the Teams Fare on Thanksgiving Day?

The Detroit Lions have played on Thanksgiving Day more than any other NFL team. They have played on Thanksgiving Day a total of 34 times. The next team on the list is the Dallas Cowboys who have played on Thanksgiving Day 32 times. The Green Bay Packers are in third place with 29 Thanksgiving Day games.

The Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions have played on Thanksgiving Day more than any other NFL team. They have played on the holiday every year since 1934, with the exception of 1939-1944 (due to a league-wide suspension of play during World War II). The Lions hold the record for most Thanksgiving Day games played (79) and most wins (39).

The Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys are perhaps the most well-known team to play on Thanksgiving Day, as they have done so a total of 41 times. That is the most of any NFL team. They first played on Thanksgiving back in 1966, and they have played every year since 1975. The Cowboys have a record of 33-17-1 on Thanksgiving Day.