Who Plays NFL Football on Thanksgiving?
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Thanksgiving is a time for family, friends, and, of course, football. But who plays NFL football on Thanksgiving? Here’s a look at the teams that have taken the field on Turkey Day over the years.
The Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have played on Thanksgiving Day more times than any other team in the NFL. As of 2019, they have played a total of 39 Thanksgiving games. The Cowboys have also hosted more Thanksgiving games than any other team, with 29 as of 2019.
The Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions have played on Thanksgiving Day more times than any other team in the NFL, with a total of 74 appearances as of 2018. They first played on the holiday in 1934, and have done so every year since 1946 with the exception of 1975 and 1977. In recent years, the Lions have typically hosted either the Green Bay Packers or the Minnesota Vikings.
The Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers have played on Thanksgiving Day more than any other team in the NFL. They first played on Thanksgiving in 1923, when they faced the Hammond Pros. The Packers have played on Thanksgiving ever since, with a few exceptions. In 1924 and 1925, they did not play on Thanksgiving due to financial difficulties that led to the team being sold in 1922. In 1926, they did not play due to a scheduling conflict. The Packers have played on Thanksgiving Day a total of 33 times.
The Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins first played on Thanksgiving in 1966, when they defeated the Detroit Lions, 27-14. Since then, they’ve become a staple on the holiday, appearing a total of 22 times. They’ll play again this year, facing off against the Dallas Cowboys.
The New England Patriots
On Thanksgiving Day, the New England Patriots will face off against the Detroit Lions. The game will be broadcast on CBS at 12:30 pm EST.
The Patriots are one of the most successful NFL teams in recent history. They have won five Super Bowls since 2001, and they are currently the defending champions. Thanks to their success, they are one of the most popular teams in the league. So it’s no surprise that they will be playing on Thanksgiving Day.
The Lions, on the other hand, are not nearly as successful as the Patriots. They have only been to the playoffs ten times in their history, and they have only won one playoff game. But despite their lack of success, they are still a popular team, thanks in part to their long tradition of playing on Thanksgiving Day.
So if you’re looking for a great game to watch on Thanksgiving Day, be sure to tune into CBS at 12:30 pm EST to watch the New England Patriots take on the Detroit Lions.
The New York Giants
The New York Giants are an American football team that competes in the National Football League (NFL). The Giants are one of the oldest teams in the NFL, having been founded in 1925. The team has won four NFL championships, including two Super Bowls. The Giants play their home games at MetLife Stadium, which is located in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
The Giants have a long-standing rivalry with the Philadelphia Eagles, and the two teams have met on Thanksgiving Day every year since 1929. The Giants have a record of 21-22-1 in Thanksgiving Day games.
The Philadelphia Eagles
In recent years, the NFL has featured three games on Thanksgiving Day. From 2006 to 2011, the NFL schedule included a game in prime time on NBC, in addition to the traditional day games on CBS and Fox. The prime time game was usually scheduled between division rivals with a history of competitive games, or had other intangibles that made it attractive to a national audience (such as a Cinderella story team).
In 2012, the NFL expanded its Thanksgiving Day schedule to include a fourth game, this one on the NFL Network. This game typically features two teams with little or no history of competitive games on Thanksgiving (such as the Houston Texans and Detroit Lions).
The following is a list of NFL teams that have played on Thanksgiving Day, grouped by conference and arranged chronologically by first year appearing.
The Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers have played the most Thanksgiving games of any team in the NFL, with a total of 40 appearances as of 2019. They have also won the most Thanksgiving games, with 27 victories.
The San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers have played on Thanksgiving three times in franchise history. The first time was in 1972, when they lost to the Detroit Lions 26-17. The second time was in 1982, when they beat the Dallas Cowboys 38-24. The most recent time was in 2013, when they lost to the Seattle Seahawks 19-3.
The Washington Redskins
The Washington Redskins have played on Thanksgiving Day more times than any other team in the NFL. They have appeared in a total of 40 Thanksgiving Day games, compiling a record of 20–18–2 in those contests. The Redskins’ first Thanksgiving Day game was in 1934 against the New York Giants, and their most recent appearance came in 2019 against the Dallas Cowboys.
