Who Plays NFL Football on Thanksgiving Day?
It’s that time of year again! Get ready for some turkey, stuffing…and NFL football! Here’s a look at which teams are playing on Thanksgiving Day this year.
Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys are a team that always seems to play on Thanksgiving Day. This year, they will be playing against the Los Angeles Chargers. The Cowboys have a long history of playing on Thanksgiving Day, dating back to 1966.
History of the Dallas Cowboys playing on Thanksgiving Day
The Dallas Cowboys have a long history of playing on Thanksgiving Day. dating back to their inaugural season in 1960. For many years, the Cowboys were one of only two teams that played on Thanksgiving, along with the Detroit Lions. In 2006, the NFL added a third game to the Thanksgiving lineup, featuring the Indianapolis Colts and Atlanta Falcons.
Since their inception, the Cowboys have played in 27 Thanksgiving games, more than any other team in the NFL. They have a record of 16-11 in those games. The Cowboys’ first Thanksgiving game was a victory over the expansion New Orleans Saints in 1970. Dallas defeated Miami on Thanksgiving Day in 1971, marking the first time that two teams with winning records had faced off on the holiday.
In recent years, the Cowboys have become something of a tradition on Thanksgiving Day, as they have played in front of a national audience on the holiday every year since 2006. Thanks to their popularity, Dallas has been able to secure some high-profile opponents for their annual Thanksgiving game, including division rivals like the Washington Redskins and Philadelphia Eagles.
Why the Dallas Cowboys play on Thanksgiving Day
The Dallas Cowboys play on Thanksgiving Day because they are one of the most popular teams in the NFL. Playing on Thanksgiving Day gives them a great opportunity to showcase their talents to a national audience.
The Cowboys have played on Thanksgiving Day every year since 1966, with the exception of 1975 and 1977. They have been one of the most successful teams in NFL history, winning five Super Bowls. playing on Thanksgiving Day is just another way for the Cowboys to show their dominance.
Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions have been playing NFL football on Thanksgiving Day since 1934. The Lions have played on Thanksgiving Day more times than any other team in the NFL. Detroit has a long tradition of hosting Thanksgiving Day games, and the Lions have usually been the home team.
History of the Detroit Lions playing on Thanksgiving Day
The tradition of the Detroit Lions playing on Thanksgiving Day dates back to 1934 when they hosted the Chicago Bears at University of Detroit Stadium. The game was so well-received that it became an annual event, with the Lions hosting a Thanksgiving Day game every year since.
Over the years, the Lions have played some of the NFL’s biggest rivals on Thanksgiving Day, including the Green Bay Packers, Dallas Cowboys and Minnesota Vikings. The holiday games have also been a opportunity for big comebacks and dramatic finishes, cementing the Lions’ place in Thanksgiving Day football lore.
In recent years, the Lions have faced off against division rivals like the Bears and Packers, as well as other teams like the Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins. No matter who their opponent is, playing on Thanksgiving Day is always a special occasion for the Detroit Lions.
Why the Detroit Lions play on Thanksgiving Day
The Detroit Lions have been playing on Thanksgiving Day since 1934. The team was originally owned by George A. Richards, who also owned the Detroit Tigers baseball team. He thought that playing a football game on Thanksgiving would be a good way to keep people interested in the Lions while the Tigers were out of season.
The Lions have played every Thanksgiving Day since 1934, except for 1939, when they had a scheduling conflict with the Tiger game. They have played at home on Thanksgiving Day more than any other team in the NFL, and their game is often televised nationally.
There are several theories about why the Lions play on Thanksgiving Day, but the most likely explanation is that it was just a way to keep people interested in the team during the offseason. Whatever the reason, it has become a tradition that fans look forward to every year.
Green Bay Packers
The Packers have a long tradition of playing on Thanksgiving Day. They have played on the holiday every year since their establishment in 1919 except for during WWII. The Packers have played more Thanksgiving games than any other NFL team, and they have a record of 20 wins, 3 losses, and 1 tie.
History of the Green Bay Packers playing on Thanksgiving Day
The Green Bay Packers have a long and storied history of playing on Thanksgiving Day. The Packers have played on Thanksgiving Day more than any other team in the NFL, and they have done so every year since 1929. The Packers have a tradition of playing the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day, and the two teams have played each other every year since 1930. The Packers also have a tradition of playing the Chicago Bears on Thanksgiving Day, and the two teams have played each other every year since 1941.
Why the Green Bay Packers play on Thanksgiving Day
The Green Bay Packers have a long tradition of playing on Thanksgiving Day. The team was founded in 1919, and the first Thanksgiving Day game was played in 1921. The Packers have played on Thanksgiving Day every year since then, with the exception of 1924 and 1925.
There are several reasons why the Green Bay Packers play on Thanksgiving Day. First, the team has a strong tradition of doing so. This is part of the team’s history and heritage. Additionally, playing on Thanksgiving Day is a great way to reach a larger audience. The holiday is a time when people are home from work and school, and they are often looking for something to do. Watching the Packers play on TV is a perfect way to spend some time with family and friends. Finally, playing on Thanksgiving Day helps to raise the profile of the team. This exposure can lead to increased ticket sales and merchandise sales.
Miami Dolphins
The Miami Dolphins have been playing on Thanksgiving Day since 1966. The team has had some ups and downs throughout the years, but they always seem to make an appearance on this holiday. This year, they will be playing the Dallas Cowboys.
History of the Miami Dolphins playing on Thanksgiving Day
The Dolphins have a long history of playing on Thanksgiving Day, dating back to their very first season in 1966. In fact, they’ve played on the holiday every year since then with the exception of 1975 and 1987. The team has had some great success over the years, winning 12 of their 23 Thanksgiving Day games. Here’s a look at some of the highlights:
-In 1972, the Dolphins defeated the Dallas Cowboys 24-3 in what was Dallas’ first Thanksgiving Day game in franchise history.
-In 1978, Miami came from behind to beat the Detroit Lions 27-17 in what is considered one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history. The Dolphins were down 17-0 at halftime but rallied behind quarterback Bob Griese to score 27 unanswered points in the second half.
-In 1984, Miami running back Lorenzo Hampton became the first player in NFL history to rush for 200 yards on Thanksgiving Day, gaining 201 yards on just 16 carries in a 28-21 victory over the New York Jets.
-In 1993, Dolphins linebacker Bryan Cox set an NFL record with four sacks in a 19-14 win over the New England Patriots.
while also setting a team record that still stands today.
Why the Miami Dolphins play on Thanksgiving Day
The tradition of playing NFL football on Thanksgiving Day began in 1876 with a game between Yale and Princeton, making it the oldest continuing tradition in American football.
In 1934, the Detroit Lions began a tradition of hosting a game on Thanksgiving Day, and they have done so every year since. In 1966, the Dallas Cowboys joined the Lions in hosting a Turkey Day game, creating a tradition that continues to this day. In 2006, the Miami Dolphins also began playing on Thanksgiving, bringing the total number of teams playing on the holiday to three.
There are several reasons why these three teams have come to dominate Thanksgiving Day football. First, all three teams are located in major media markets, which means they have a large potential audience for their games. Second, all three teams have traditional rivalries with other teams in their divisions (the Lions with the Green Bay Packers, the Cowboys with the Washington Redskins, and the Dolphins with the Buffalo Bills), which makes for an exciting matchup on Thanksgiving Day. Finally, all three teams have been relatively successful over the years (the Lions have won four NFL championships, the Cowboys have won five Super Bowls, and the Dolphins have won two Super Bowls), which makes them more attractive to fans and television viewers on Thanksgiving Day.
