Who Plays on Thanksgiving in the NFL?
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As the temperatures start to drop and the leaves begin to turn, we know that Thanksgiving is just around the corner. And for many of us, that means gathering around the television to watch some football. But which teams will be playing on Thanksgiving this year?
The History of Thanksgiving and the NFL
The National Football League has a long history of playing on Thanksgiving Day. Originally, it was a way for the league to show its appreciation for the sport of football and give thanks to the players, coaches, and fans. Today, Thanksgiving is one of the most anticipated days of the NFL season.
The first Thanksgiving game
The first Thanksgiving game was played on November 26, 1920, between the Chicago Bears and the Buffalo All-Americans. The game was held at Franchise Field in Chicago, Illinois, and ended in a scoreless tie.
The two teams met again the following year, on Thanksgiving Day 1921, with the Bears winning 10-7. This would be the start of a long tradition of Thanksgiving games between these two teams.
In 1934, the Detroit Lions began hosting Thanksgiving games, becoming the first team to do so on a regular basis. Since then, numerous other NFL teams have hosted Thanksgiving games, including the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, Miami Dolphins, and New York Giants.
The tradition continues
The first Thanksgiving was celebrated in 1621, when the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast. The holiday was celebrated sporadically over the next 200 years, before becoming an annual tradition in 1863, when President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed it a national holiday.
The National Football League has also been a part of the Thanksgiving tradition since its inception in 1920. That first season, there were three games played on the holiday, with all games being intra-state rivalries. The NFL’s popularity soon saw the addition of more games on Thanksgiving, and by 1934 there were six games being played. The Detroit Lions have been playing on Thanksgiving Day every year since 1934, with the exception of 1939-1944 (due to World War II). The Dallas Cowboys joined them in 1966, playing their first Thanksgiving Day game against the Lions.
The teams that usually play on Thanksgiving
The NFL has been playing games on Thanksgiving Day since its inception in 1920. In the beginning, it was just the Detroit Lions and the Thanksgiving Classic game. By 1934, the NFL had grown and the Chicago Bears joined the Lions in playing on Turkey Day. Over time, more teams have joined in on the fun. Today, there are three games played on Thanksgiving.
The Dallas Cowboys
The Dallas Cowboys have played on Thanksgiving Day more than any other NFL team. They first appeared on the holiday in 1966, when they defeated the Cleveland Browns 26-14. The team has gone on to appear 22 more times on Turkey Day, most recently in 2016 when they beat the Washington Redskins 31-26. The Cowboys have a record of 29-18-1 on Thanksgiving.
The Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions have played on Thanksgiving Day every year since 1934. The Lions have had a lot of success on Thanksgiving, compiling a record of 36-38-2. That includes a streak of 19 consecutive Thanksgiving wins from 1951 to 1970. The Lions’ overall record on Thanksgiving is the best among all NFL teams.
The Green Bay Packers
The Packers have a long tradition of playing on Thanksgiving, dating back to their days in the old American Football League. They’ve played on the holiday every year since 1919, with the exception of 1939, when they played on Thanksgiving Day in Detroit. The Packers have a record of 23-15-2 on Thanksgiving.
The schedule for this year’s Thanksgiving games
The NFL has announced the schedule for this year’s Thanksgiving games, and it looks like there are some interesting match-ups. The Detroit Lions will take on the Chicago Bears, while the Dallas Cowboys will take on the Washington Redskins.
The Dallas Cowboys vs. the Detroit Lions
On Thanksgiving Day, the Dallas Cowboys will take on the Detroit Lions at home. The game will start at 4:30 p.m. EST and will be televised on CBS. This will be the 78th meeting between the two teams, with the Cowboys holding a 47-28-2 lead in the series.
The Green Bay Packers vs. the Chicago Bears
The Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears will play each other on Thanksgiving day this year. The game will be televised on NBC at 8:20 p.m. ET.
