Touchdowns, cherished traditions, and mouth-watering roast turkey are set to define Thanksgiving Week in the NFL, which kicks off with an exciting lineup you can catch live on Sky Sports. Moreover, brace yourself for some thrilling Black Friday football featuring the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.
The relationship between the US holiday and the National Football League (NFL) spans more than a century, with games played on ‘Turkey Day’ for over 100 years, creating an enduring tradition that football fans eagerly anticipate each year.
The origins of American Football on Thanksgiving Day date back to 1876, a mere few years after the sport was established. The first-ever NFL game on this holiday took place in 1920, coinciding with the league’s inaugural season.
The inaugural Thanksgiving Day matchup featured the Decatur Staleys squaring off against the Chicago Tigers, culminating in a nail-biting 6-0 victory for the Staleys. These Staleys evolved into the Chicago Bears, while the Tigers disbanded after that season.
Since then, annual Thanksgiving games have solidified their place in sports culture, although the location of these games has shifted. The Detroit Lions hold the record for the most appearances, gracing the holiday 84 times with a record of 37 wins, 45 losses, and 2 ties over the years. Following them are the Dallas Cowboys, who have appeared 56 times with a record of 32 wins, 23 losses, and one tie. This year, both teams will once again host the Thanksgiving festivities.
What are the games?
NFL Thanksgiving & Black Friday schedule
| Date | Game | Kickoff time |
|---|---|---|
| Thursday, November 28 | Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions | 5.30pm |
| Thursday, November 28 | New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys | 9.30pm |
| Friday, November 29 | Miami Dolphins @ Green Bay Packers | 1.20am |
| Friday November 29 | Las Vegas Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs | 8pm |
Dan Campbell’s dominant Lions, with a stellar 10-1 record, will commence the Thanksgiving Day action at 5.30pm, hosting the Chicago Bears, who feature the highly-touted No. 1 pick quarterback Caleb Williams and hold a 4-7 record. This game will be a significant step in their quest for the playoffs and a possible Super Bowl bid. The Cowboys, currently sitting at 4-7, will follow, rallying after a dramatic victory over the Washington Commanders, as they go up against the struggling New York Giants (2-9) led by quarterback Tommy DeVito at 9.30pm.
In a twist to the holiday festivities, since 2006, the NFL has added a third prime-time matchup on Thanksgiving, with the exception of a 2020 game postponed due to COVID. This year, the Miami Dolphins, revitalized by Tua Tagovailoa’s return, will face off against the Green Bay Packers, who boast an impressive 8-3 record. Their matchup promises a potential cold-weather showdown, set to kick off at 1.20am on Friday.
The NFL’s second Black Friday game will see the Kansas City Chiefs, currently 10-1 and reigning Super Bowl champions, battle the struggling Las Vegas Raiders (2-9) at 8pm, as part of eight exciting games broadcast live on Sky Sports in Week 13.
What to watch:
Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions: The Lions enter Thursday’s match riding a remarkable nine-game winning streak, solidifying their position as a Super Bowl contender. Quarterback Jared Goff is enjoying a stellar season, throwing for 2,761 yards and 20 touchdowns while maintaining a 72.9 completion percentage and a passer rating of 109.9 across 11 games. Running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery have combined for an impressive 2,024 yards and 22 touchdowns while wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown leads the team with 71 receptions for 747 yards and nine touchdowns. The Lions’ offensive unit, orchestrated by offensive coordinator Ben Johnson, currently ranks as the top-scoring offense in the league, even as they deal with the loss of star edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson to injury. However, safety Brian Branch stands out on the defense, which is led by coordinator Aaron Glenn.
Williams, the Bears’ No. 1 overall draft pick, demonstrates his potential playmaking abilities, reminiscent of Patrick Mahomes. In his rookie season, he has completed 233 of 372 passes for 2,356 yards and 11 touchdowns against five interceptions, while also adding 339 rushing yards. The Bears have displayed improved offensive capabilities following the firing of their offensive coordinator, yet they find themselves out of playoff contention, sitting at 4-7 at the bottom of the NFC North. Running back D’Andre Swift leads with 943 yards and eight touchdowns from scrimmage.
New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys: Cooper Rush will start in place of Dak Prescott for the Cowboys, following Prescott’s season-ending surgery after a hamstring injury. Rush excelled in his previous outing, completing 24 of 32 passes for 247 yards and two touchdowns against the Commanders. CeeDee Lamb has been a pivotal asset, with 77 catches for 841 yards and four touchdowns. Despite the Cowboys’ recent win, head coach Mike McCarthy’s job is reportedly under threat as they aim to reverse their playoff fortunes this season, currently sitting at 4-7. Dallas’ defense ranks 27th overall, but Micah Parsons, an elite edge rusher, has registered five sacks so far this season, providing some much-needed defensive prowess.
DeVito is set to start for the Giants after taking over from Daniel Jones, who was benched during their previous loss to the Buccaneers. DeVito struggled in that game, completing 21 passes for 189 yards as the Giants fallen to a disappointing 2-9 record. The team, having let go of Saquon Barkley in the offseason, features rookie wide receiver Malik Nabers, who leads with 67 receptions for 671 yards and three touchdowns, while nose tackle Dexter Lawrence anchors the defense with nine sacks.
Miami Dolphins @ Green Bay Packers: Thursday’s finale could very well be the game of the day. With Tua Tagovailoa back in action after a concussion sidelined him earlier in the season, Miami’s playoff hopes are reignited. Tagovailoa has completed 77 passes out of 104 attempts for 812 yards, eight touchdowns, and just one interception during a three-game win streak, bringing the Dolphins to a crucial 5-6 standing. His return enhances the performances of receivers Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, while tight end Jonnu Smith has recently shined with 188 receiving yards and three touchdowns over his last two games. Defensive end Zach Sieler has proven himself a reliable contributor to Miami’s defense.
The Packers, currently standing at 8-3, are closely tailing the Lions in the NFC North after a commanding 38-10 victory over the San Francisco 49ers in Week 12. Tailback Josh Jacobs has been an essential component of Head Coach Matt LaFleur’s offensive strategy, amassing 944 yards and seven touchdowns rushing, three of which he scored against the 49ers. Quarterback Jordan Love has thrown for 2,244 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions this season, continuing to explore a variety of receiving options, including Jayden Reed and tight end Tucker Kraft, who has scored six times this year. Additionally, Xavier McKinney, signed in the offseason, is enjoying a stellar year on defense with seven interceptions, ranking among the NFL’s leaders this season.
Las Vegas Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs: The NFL action continues on Friday night with the Chiefs aiming for their third consecutive Super Bowl title against their long-standing rivals, the Raiders. After narrowly avoiding an upset last week against the Carolina Panthers—thanks to a last-minute field goal—Kansas City is looking to gain momentum. Despite a rough statistical start for Patrick Mahomes, who has tossed 18 touchdowns and 11 interceptions thus far, the Chiefs seem to be showing signs of resurgence following the acquisition of veteran wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins, providing additional depth after Rashee Rice’s injury. Tight end Travis Kelce continues to be a primary target, with a total of 68 receptions for 569 yards this season, while running back Kareem Hunt has quickly made an impact since rejoining the team with 577 rushing yards and five touchdowns.
The Raiders, under coach Antonio Pierce, have struggled throughout the season, losing star wide receiver Davante Adams and more recently, starting quarterback Gardner Minshew to injury. This leaves former Atlanta Falcons quarterback Desmond Ridder as the likely starter against the Chiefs, guiding an offense that currently ranks 28th in total yards. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers is a standout player, with 74 catches for 744 yards and three touchdowns, while defensive leader Maxx Crosby adds 6.5 sacks, showcasing the lone bright spot on a struggling defensive unit.
Why the Lions and the Cowboys?
In 1934, Detroit radio station owner George A. Richards took ownership of the then-Portsmouth Spartans and decided to relocate the franchise to Detroit in hopes of boosting local interest and attendance.
Initially, crowds were low, as college football and baseball overshadowed the Lions, who faced fierce competition from the Detroit Tigers, freshly crowned American League champions in 1934. Richards sought a solution by scheduling a Thanksgiving game to attract attention.
The undefeated Chicago Bears gladly accepted the invitation and played in front of a sell-out crowd of 26,000—ironically, many spectators were turned away at the gates due to overwhelming demand. The Lions lost narrowly, 19-16, but the tradition of playing on Thanksgiving was born and has continued since.
Despite a lack of recent success, with only 6 wins out of 24 Thanksgiving match-ups since 2000, the Lions have struggled to claim victory, suffering seven consecutive losses since 2016. Nonetheless, questions about whether they should maintain their Thanksgiving spot have diminished, thanks to Detroit’s emergence as a serious contender this season.
Dallas, famously dubbed ‘America’s Team’, has solidified its place in Thanksgiving lore since 1966, with a brief exception in 1975 and 1977 when the St. Louis Cardinals temporarily filled in as hosts. Following a series of disappointing results and low attendance, the Cowboys returned to the Thanksgiving spotlight permanently, further solidifying their nationally recognized status.
Why Black Friday?
In 2023, the NFL sought to capitalize on Black Friday, the biggest shopping event of the year, introducing its first official game on the holiday. The Miami Dolphins defeated the New York Jets 34-13, including an electric 99-yard interception return by Jevon Holland at the end of the first half.
What are some standout Thanksgiving moments?
The Lions have had their share of memorable Thanksgiving moments, including their stunning upset over Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers in 1962, which was a highlight in an otherwise challenging history. Despite their struggles, the Lions’ Thanksgiving games have featured players like Barry Sanders, who posted eye-popping performances, including a stunning 167 rushing yards and three touchdowns in 1997 against the Bears.
Arguably, the most legendary comeback in Thanksgiving history belongs to Clint Longley, the rookie quarterback who led the Cowboys to an improbable victory in 1974, throwing two late touchdown passes to overcome a 16-3 deficit against the Washington team.
In 1980, the Lions participated in the first-ever Thanksgiving game to go into overtime, tying 17-17 with the Bears before Chicago’s Dave Williams clinched the win with a 95-yard kickoff return touchdown.
The ‘Butt Fumble’ remains one of the most infamous plays in NFL history, involving Mark Sanchez in a 2012 game against the New England Patriots, marking an embarrassing chapter for the Jets.
For those seeking to catch all the exciting action, be sure to tune into Sky Sports NFL this Thanksgiving Day, starting at 5pm, leading up to the Lions-Bears matchup at 5.30pm and the Giants-Cowboys showdown to follow.
