The annual NFL tradition of Thanksgiving games is back once again in 2023, and with the schedule release, we know which franchises will be on our TVs as we fall asleep from a food-induced coma. With three games scheduled for Thanksgiving in 2023, here are all the details, who is playing, and when you can watch them.
NFL Thanksgiving Games and Schedule
- Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
FOX | 12:30 p.m. ET - Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys
CBS | 4:30 p.m. ET - San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
NBC | 8:30 p.m. ET
Which Football Teams Always Play on Thanksgiving?
Watching NFL games on Thanksgiving is a tradition for many of us. But unless you play for the right franchise, these opportunities could come few and far between.
That said, there are a few football teams that always play on Thanksgiving. The Detroit Lions were the first to host Thanksgiving games every year. The tradition started in 1934, as Lions owner G.A. Richards scheduled a holiday matchup between the Lions and Chicago Bears.
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Thirty-two years later, the Dallas Cowboys made their appearance on Thanksgiving Day in 1966, beating the Cleveland Browns 26-14 at the Cotton Bowl. Tex Schramm, the Cowboys’ general manager at the time, wanted the team to play on the holiday for more national publicity for the franchise. After 80,000 fans showed up, the Cowboys were essentially locked into playing every Thanksgiving Day since, except for 1975 and 1977, when the NFL scheduled the St. Louis Cardinals.
While Detroit and Dallas are the only teams that always play on Thanksgiving, the Chicago Bears and Green Bay Packers have frequented the holiday, mainly due to their association with the Lions and playing in the same division. While Detroit has the most wins at 37-43-2, Chicago has a 20–15–2 record on Thanksgiving, with Green Bay trailing at 14–20–2.
Which Teams Have Never Played on Thanksgiving?
The NFL, especially since the addition of a third Thanksgiving Day game, has done a great job of getting nearly every franchise time in the spotlight. However, not everyone has had the chance to bite the turkey leg after the game.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are the only NFL team without a Thanksgiving appearance. Founded in 1995, they are the fourth youngest franchise, tied with the Carolina Panthers. They simply had fewer opportunities compared to the Lions and Cowboys, and other older franchises.
However, I do expect this to change in the future, given the recent success of the Jaguars in 2022 after they not only made the playoffs but knocked out the Los Angeles Chargers. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Cincinnati Bengals, and Panthers have the next fewest number of Thanksgiving games played, appearing just once a piece.