What NFL Teams Play Football on Thanksgiving Day?
Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and of course, football! But which NFL teams actually play on Thanksgiving Day? Here’s a look at the history of Thanksgiving Day football and which teams have made it a tradition.
The Detroit Lions
Every year, on Thanksgiving Day, there are three NFL football games played. One of these games has always featured the Detroit Lions. The Lions have played on Thanksgiving Day more than any other team in the NFL.
History of the Detroit Lions playing on Thanksgiving Day
The Detroit Lions are one of the most storied franchises in the NFL. They have a long history of playing on Thanksgiving Day, dating back to 1934. The Lions have played on Thanksgiving Day every year since, with the exception of 1939-1944 (due to World War II) and in 1998 (due to the NFL’s schedule rotation).
The Lions have a storied history on Thanksgiving Day, with some of the most iconic moments in NFL history taking place on the holiday. In 1934, the Lions defeated the Chicago Bears, 7-3, in front of a then-record crowd of 26,000 fans at Detroit’s University of Detroit Stadium. That victory would start a streak of nine straight Thanksgiving Day wins for the Lions.
The 1950s would see the Lions become synonymous with Thanksgiving Day football. In 1950, the Lions defeated the Cleveland Browns, 17-7, in front of a then-Thanksgiving Day record crowd of 61,363 fans at Cleveland Stadium. The following year, the Lions would again set a then-Thanksgiving Day attendance record, this time defeating the Green Bay Packers at Detroit’s Briggs Stadium in front of 63,ewsikgxvpxfksdfuwafvvml816 fans.
The 1960s would see another Thanksgiving Day tradition begin: The annual Turkey Bowl game between the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys. The Turkey Bowl is considered one of the most iconic rivalry games in NFL history and was played every year from 1966 to 2013. The Cowboys would win the first Turkey Bowl game in 1966, but it would be the Lions who would come out on top in 1967 and 1968. The two teams would split their four meeting during the 1970s before going their separate ways when Dallas joined ranks with NFC East rivals Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles in 1980.
In 1971, another tradition began when NBC began broadcasting live coverage of the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade before airing the Detroit Lions game. This tradition continues to this day and has become one of NBC’s most popular programming blocks on Thanksgiving Day.
The Detroit Lions have had some great teams throughout their history playing on Thanksgiving Day. In 1935, they were led by future Hall of Fame head coach George Halas and featured star players like Dutch Clark and Ernie Caddel. They went undefeated en route to winning their first NFL Championship that season. The 1953 team featured another future Hall of Famer in Bobby Layne and went 9-3 en route to winning another NFL Championship. The 1957 team featured yet another future Hall of Famer in Jack Christiansen and went 10-2 en route to winning yet another NFL Championship. And finally, there was the 1961 team that featured All-Pro players like Joe Schmidt, Yale Lary and Dick LeBeau that went 11-3 en route to winning yet another NFL Championship; that team is considered by many to be one as one as onethe greatest teams ever assembled . . .
Why the Detroit Lions play on Thanksgiving Day
One of the most enduring Thanksgiving traditions in America is watching football. For almost a century, the Detroit Lions have been a part of that tradition, playing on Thanksgiving Day every year since 1934.
There are a few reasons why the Lions play on Thanksgiving. First, they are one of the original teams in the National Football League (NFL). When the NFL was first founded in 1920, there were only 10 teams. The Lions were added in 1930 as part of an expansion (the NFL now has 32 teams).
Another reason why the Lions play on Thanksgiving is because they used to be really good. In the 1950s, they had one of the best teams in NFL history, known as the “Fearsome Foursome.” They won their division six times and went to four NFL Championship games (but sadly never won).
Lastly, it’s because Turkey Day is hugein Detroit. The city has a long tradition of celebrating Thanksgiving, dating all the way back to 1827 when residents held a community feast to thank God for sparing them from a cholera outbreak. Food has always been an important part of Detroit’s turkey day celebration, and over time football became intertwined with this holiday tradition.
So there you have it: three good reasons why the Detroit Lions have been playing on Thanksgiving Day for almost a century.
The Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have played on Thanksgiving Day a total of 38 times, the most of any NFL team. They have a record of 27-11 on Thanksgiving Day. The Cowboys have played on Thanksgiving every year since 1966.
History of the Dallas Cowboys playing on Thanksgiving Day
The Dallas Cowboys have played on Thanksgiving Day a total of 38 times (30-8) since their very first game in 1960. That’s the most games played on Thanksgiving Day by any NFL team. The second most is the Detroit Lions, who have played on Thanksgiving 26 times (17-9-0). The Cowboys’ first game on Thanksgiving came in 1966, when they defeated the expansion Atlanta Falcons, 27-10.
Why the Dallas Cowboys play on Thanksgiving Day
The Dallas Cowboys are one of the most storied franchises in NFL history. They have been playing football on Thanksgiving Day since their inception in 1960. The Cowboys have played on Thanksgiving Day every year since 1966, with the exception of 1975 and 1977.
The Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day games are some of the most highly anticipated games of the NFL season. Playing on Thanksgiving is seen as a privilege and an honor for the Cowboys, and they take great pride in representing their team and their city on this national holiday.
There are many reasons why the Dallas Cowboys play on Thanksgiving Day. First and foremost, it is a tradition that dates back to the early days of the franchise. In addition, playing on Thanksgiving Day gives the Cowboys a national platform to showcase their team to a wider audience. Finally, playing on Thanksgiving Day is seen as a way to give back to the fans who have supported the team through thick and thin.
The Green Bay Packers
The Packers have played on Thanksgiving Day more times than any other team in the NFL. They have a record of 23-12-1 on the holiday. The Packers’ first Thanksgiving Day game was in 1923, when they lost to the Duluth Eskimos.
History of the Green Bay Packers playing on Thanksgiving Day
The Green Bay Packers are a professional American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league’s National Football Conference (NFC) North division. It is the third-oldest franchise in the NFL, dating back to 1919, and is the only non-profit, community-owned major league professional sports team in the United States. Home games have been played at Lambeau Field since 1957.
The Packers have played in a record 31 NFL Championships games (including four Super Bowls), winning 17 championships, more than any other NFL franchise. The Packers currently hold the longest-active streak of consecutive playoff appearances in American professional sports with 14 straight appearances, having made the playoffs every season since 2001. The team has an NFL-best .569 winning percentage overall since 1932, when it won its first NFL Championship.
Between 1921 and 1931, the Packers competed against other semi-pro clubs from around Wisconsin and the Midwest, before joining the American Professional Football Association (APFA), now known as the NFL, in 1921. In 1933, highly motivated by a desire for revenge against George Halas and the Chicago Bears– who had defeated them in back-to-back NFL Championship games–the Packers decided to join Halas’s newly formed rival league, the All-America Football Conference (AAFC). The Packers have remained in the NFC ever since.
The team has played on Thanksgiving Day five times in their history–1923, 1929, 1933, 1944 and 1950– with a record of 3-1-1 in those games.
Why the Green Bay Packers play on Thanksgiving Day
The Green Bay Packers have a long and storied tradition of playing on Thanksgiving Day. In fact, they are one of only three NFL teams to do so every year (the other two being the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys). So why do the Packers play on Thanksgiving?
There are a few reasons. First, the Packers have a large fan base, and playing on Thanksgiving gives them a chance to reach a wider audience. Second, playing on Thanksgiving is a great way to generate more revenue for the team. And third, the Packers have a long history of success on Thanksgiving Day. In fact, they have won more Thanksgiving Day games than any other NFL team.
So if you’re a fan of the Green Bay Packers, make sure to tuning in on Thanksgiving Day!
