Why the Cowboys and Lions always play on Thanksgiving Day: A look at every NFL team's record on the holiday

Thanksgiving has come and gone in all of its glory remains the same. Football. Turkey. Football. Apple pie. Football. Family. Football. Stuffing. And, oh, football.

Since the beginning of time, okay maybe not that long ago, but since very early on in National Football League history, fans have been able to watch the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day. This year, the Lions will host the Green Bay Packers and the Cowboys will host the Washington Commanders.

The Lions began the tradition in 1934 when the owner George A. Richards wanted to attract more fans. The marketing wizard's plan worked and the team who usually lost fans to the more popular Detroit Tigers sold out their stadium and then some. The team had to turn people away at the gates because so many people showed up to watch their Lions play.

Richards was not only the owner of the NFL franchise but also an NBC affiliated radio station as well and worked out a contract with NBC to show his games on television across 94 stations.

The Lions did not invent football on Thanksgiving -- other teams had played on the holiday before before -- but Detroit had the network deal that set it apart. The only seasons the Lions did not play on Thanksgiving were from 1939 to 1944, when the world was engulfed in World War II.

Their tradition began in 1966 when general manager Tex Schramm signed up to play on that day to get more national publicity. Like the Lions, the Cowboys had record-shattering crowds show up at the Cotton Bowl.

Their tradition began that and other than in 1975 and 1977, when the St. Louis Cardinals were awarded the holiday game, the team has played on turkey day.

Has every NFL team played on Thanksgiving?

The Jacksonville Jaguars are the lone NFL team without a Thanksgiving appearance in their history.

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cincinnati Bengals and Carolina Panthers have the next-fewest Thanksgiving games played with one apiece.

What is the Detroit Lions’ record on Thanksgiving?

The Lions have been hosting Thanksgiving games for 89 years, but not without controversy.

Detroit held its first such matchup against the Chicago Bears in 1934 and has played on the holiday every year since 1945. The franchise has built a 37-44-2 record across its 82 Thanksgiving matchups, which are the most in league history.

In the beginning, the Lions routinely won most of their Thanksgiving contests. That has not been the case this century, though, as the Lions are 6-17 on Thanksgiving dating back to 2000.

What is the Dallas Cowboys’ record on Thanksgiving?

The Cowboys have gone 32-22-1 on Thanksgiving since starting its holiday tradition in 1966.

Their best Thanksgiving stretch came in the early 1980s, as they set a franchise record by winning six straight Turkey Day games from 1980 to 1985.

NFL Teams records on Thanksgiving, All-Time NFL Turkey Day Results by team

While the Lions have the most Thanksgiving day appearances, all 32 NFL teams have kicked off on Thanksgiving Day. Here's their record by team:

Arizona Cardinals, 6-15-2 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 48-20 loss to Philadelphia Eagles in 2008

Atlanta Falcons, 1-3 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 26-18 loss to New Orleans Saints in 2019

Baltimore Ravens, 2-0 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 22-20 win over Pittsburgh Steelers in 2013

Buffalo Bills, 6-4-1 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 28-25 win over Detroit Lions in 2022

Carolina Panthers, 1-0 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 33-14 win over Dallas Cowboys in 2015

Chicago Bears, 20-16-2 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 23-20 loss over Detroit Lions in 2024

Cincinnati Bengals, 0-1 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 26-10 loss to New York Jets in 2010

Cleveland Browns, 0-3 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 13-10 loss to Detroit Lions in 1989

Dallas Cowboys, 33-22-1 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 27-20 win over New York Giants in 2024

Denver Broncos, 4-7 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 26-6 win over New York Giants in 2009

Detroit Lions, 38-44-2 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 23-20 win the Chicago Bears in 2024

Green Bay Packers, 15-20-2 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 30-17 win Miami Dolphins in 2024

Houston Texans, 2-0 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 41-25 win over Texans in 2020

Indianapolis Colts, 2-1-1 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 28-7 loss to Pittsburgh Steelers in 2016

Jacksonville Jaguars, never played on Thanksgiving

Kansas City Chiefs, 5-5 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 19-10 win over Denver Broncos in 2006

Los Angeles Chargers, 3-1 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 28-6 win over Dallas Cowboys in 2017

Los Angeles Rams, 3-1 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 20-0 win over Detroit Lions in 1975

Miami Dolphins, 5-3 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 30-17 loss to Green Bay Packers in 2024

Minnesota Vikings, 7-2 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 33-26 win over New England Patriots in 2022

New England Patriots, 3-3 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 33-26 loss to Minnesota Vikings in 2022

New Orleans Saints, 3-1 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 31-6 loss to Buffalo Bills in 2021

New York Giants, 7-7-3 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 27-20 loss to Dallas Cowboys in 2024

New York Jets, 4-4 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 49-19 loss to New England Patriots in 2012

Las Vegas Raiders, 4-4 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 36-33 OT win over Dallas Cowboys in 2021

Philadelphia Eagles, 6-1 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 45-14 loss to Detroit Lions in 2015

Pittsburgh Steelers, 2-6 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 28-7 win over Indianapolis Colts in 2016

San Francisco 49ers, 2-2-1 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 19-3 loss to Seattle Seahawks in 2014

Seattle Seahawks, 2-2 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 19-3 win over San Francisco 49ers in 2014

Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 0-1 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 38-10 loss to Dallas Cowboys in 2006

Tennessee Titans, 5-2 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 47-10 win over Detroit Lions in 2008

Washington Commanders, 4-8 all-time | Last Thanksgiving game: 41-16 win over Dallas in 2020

What is the record for NFL home teams on Thanksgiving?

While it’s nice to be home for the holidays, it doesn’t mean much when it comes to NFL Thanksgiving games.

Home teams are 118-112-12 all-time on Thanksgiving. The Lions and Cowboys have combined to go 69-66-3 on Turkey Day with all 138 of those games taking place at home.

All other NFL teams are 49-46-9 at home on the holiday. Home teams are 9-7 in the third, primetime matchup that was added to the annual Thanksgiving slate in 2006.

What NFL team has played the most Thanksgiving Day games?

The Lions have played 84 Thanksgiving games, the most of any team. They are 38-45-2 in those games. Considering they won't be relinquishing control of the NFL's tradition anytime soon, it's safe to say that they will continue to be Turkey Day's most featured team.

Which team has the most wins on Thanksgiving?

The Lions have won 38 games on Thanksgiving, giving them the most on the NFL's biggest holiday. It's fitting considering they've played 84 games on the day, but it hasn't translated to a ton of success in the franchise's history. Detroit also has 45 losses on Thanksgiving, but recent history suggests that Dan Campbell's team will be improving that record in the coming years.

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