What NFL Team Plays on Thanksgiving Day?

A lot of people don’t know this, but the NFL actually has a special Thanksgiving Day game every year. This year, the game will be between the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys.

The History of the NFL on Thanksgiving Day

The NFL has been playing games on Thanksgiving Day since its inception in 1920. The Detroit Lions have played on Thanksgiving Day every year since 1934, with the exception of 1939-1944. This tradition began when the Lions were still known as the Portsmouth Spartans and was continued when they became the Detroit Lions.

The First Thanksgiving Day Football Game

The first Thanksgiving Day football game was played on November 25, 1869, between Rutgers and Princeton, two of the oldest college football teams in the United States. The game was originally scheduled for October 28, but it was postponed due to a rainstorm. The game was played in New Brunswick, New Jersey, at Rutgers’ home field. Rutgers won by a score of 6-4.

In the years following the first game, other colleges began to Schedule their own Thanksgiving Day games. These games became so popular that, by the 1880s, several professional football teams had emerged. The first professional Thanksgiving Day game was played on November 29, 1884, between the Philadelphia Athletic Club and the Brooklyn Excelsiors. The Excelsiors won by a score of 12-0.

By the early 1900s, Thanksgiving Day football had become so popular that several NFL teams began playing their own games on the holiday. The first NFL Thanksgiving Day game was played on November 26, 1920, between the Chicago Tigers and the Decatur Staleys (now the Chicago Bears). The Staleys won by a score of 7-6.

Today, NFL games on Thanksgiving Day are some of the most highly anticipated and watched sporting events of the year. Millions of fans tune in to watch as their favorite teams compete for victory.

The First NFL Game on Thanksgiving Day

The first NFL game on Thanksgiving Day was played on November 26, 1920, between the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions. The game was held at Detroit’s Tiger Stadium, and the Lions won by a score of 19-16.

Since that first game, Thanksgiving Day has become a tradition for NFL fans, with games being played every year on the holiday. In fact, the Lions have played on Thanksgiving Day every year since 1934, with the exception of 1939-1944 (due to World War II) and in 1945. They are currently the only NFL team to have done so.

Thanksgiving Day games have typically featured some of the league’s best teams and most heated rivalries. In recent years, however, some critics have argued that the holiday games take away from the tradition of spending time with family and friends.Whatever your opinion, there’s no denying that Thanksgiving Day football is here to stay!

The Teams That Play on Thanksgiving Day

The NFL has a long tradition of playing games on Thanksgiving Day. This year, there are three games scheduled for Thanksgiving Day. The Detroit Lions will host the Chicago Bears, the Dallas Cowboys will host the Miami Dolphins, and the Baltimore Ravens will host the Pittsburgh Steelers.

The Detroit Lions

The Detroit Lions are a professional American football team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the National Football League (NFL) as part of the NFC North division. The franchise was founded in 1930 as the Portsmouth Spartans, based in Portsmouth, Ohio and joined the NFL in 1931. For the 1934 and 1935 seasons, the Spartans were officially renamed the Lions, although they continued to use their old name until 1945. The team moved to Detroit for the 1939 season.

The Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas Cowboys have been playing on Thanksgiving Day since 1966. They are one of the most storied and successful teams in NFL history, with five Super Bowl victories. The Cowboys have played in more Thanksgiving Day games than any other team, and they have a record of 33-17-1 on the holiday. The team’s most recent appearance was a loss to the Detroit Lions in 2013.

The Green Bay Packers

For many years, the Green Bay Packers have played on Thanksgiving Day. This tradition began in 1933, when the Packers played the Detroit Lions. Since then, the Packers have played on Thanksgiving Day almost every year.

In recent years, other NFL teams have also started playing on Thanksgiving Day. The Dallas Cowboys have played on Thanksgiving Day since 1966. The Detroit Lions have played on Thanksgiving Day since 1934. And the Miami Dolphins have played on Thanksgiving Day since 1966.

Why Do These Teams Play on Thanksgiving Day?

The Detroit Lions have played on Thanksgiving Day every year since 1934. The Dallas Cowboys started playing on Thanksgiving Day in 1966. And, since 2006, the NFL has scheduled a third game on Thanksgiving Day. So, why do these teams play on Thanksgiving Day?

The Popularity of the NFL

The National Football League (NFL) is the most popular professional sport in the United States, and its games are some of the most-watched television programming of any kind. Every year, the NFL’s Thanksgiving Day games are among the most highly anticipated and highest-rated broadcasts on television.

So why do NFL teams play on Thanksgiving Day? There are a few reasons.

First, Thanksgiving is a national holiday, which means that people have the day off from work and school. This means that more people are available to watch the games.

Second, Thanksgiving is traditionally a day for family gatherings. And what better way to spend time with family than by watching some football!

Finally, playing on Thanksgiving Day is a great way for NFL teams to promote themselves. When people think of Thanksgiving, they often think of the NFL. This helps to increase the popularity of the league and its teams.

The Tradition of the NFL on Thanksgiving Day

The tradition of the NFL on Thanksgiving Day began in Detroit, Michigan in 1934. The Lions have played on Thanksgiving Day every year since, with the exception of 1939-1944 due to the Second World War. In 1966, the Dallas Cowboys joined the Lions as an annual Thanksgiving Day game, followed by the Miami Dolphins in 1970 and the Buffalo Bills in 2006. For many years, these were the only three teams that played on Thanksgiving, but in recent years, additional games have been added.

There are a few reasons why these teams play on Thanksgiving Day. First, Detroit and Dallas are two of the largest markets in the NFL, so playing on Thanksgiving maximizes their TV audience. Second, playing on Thanksgiving is a tradition for both of these teams – it’s something that their fans have come to expect and look forward to every year. And finally, playing on Thursday gives these teams a bit of an advantage over their opponents, because they get an extra day of rest and preparation.

So there you have it – the tradition of the NFL on Thanksgiving Day. If you’re looking for a bit of history and tradition this holiday season, tune into one of these games and enjoy!