On Thanksgiving Day 2025, millions of Americans will gather around TVs—not just for turkey and stuffing, but for three of the most electric matchups in the NFL calendar. The National Football League has officially locked in its holiday tripleheader: the Green Bay Packers at the Detroit Lions at 1 p.m. ET on FOX, the Kansas City Chiefs at the Dallas Cowboys at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS, and the Cincinnati Bengals at the Baltimore Ravens at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC. The games will unfold at Ford Field in Detroit, AT&T Stadium in Arlington, and M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. This isn’t just football. It’s ritual. Tradition. And this year, it’s loaded with storylines that could reshape the playoff picture.
Why This Thanksgiving Matters More Than Most
The Detroit Lions have hosted a Thanksgiving game every year since 1934—except during World War II. That’s 90 years of turkey and touchdowns. This year, they’re the two-time defending NFC North champs, riding a wave of confidence under head coach Dan Campbell. But they’re not invincible. The Green Bay Packers, led by Matt LaFleur, are clawing back from a slow start. A win here doesn’t just mean a better record—it could shift the entire divisional tiebreaker calculus. The Chicago Bears are currently on top, but if Green Bay beats Detroit, the Packers leapfrog into serious contention. That’s the kind of pressure that turns a regular-season game into a playoff preview.The Chiefs vs. Cowboys: A Star-Studded Showdown
Then there’s the 4:30 p.m. clash. The Kansas City Chiefs, under legendary coach Andy Reid, are coming off a dramatic overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts. Patrick Mahomes? He’s healthy. And he’s hungry. Meanwhile, the Dallas Cowboys, led by Mike McCarthy, just stunned the defending Super Bowl champions, the Philadelphia Eagles. That win didn’t just boost morale—it signaled Dallas might be the team to beat in the NFC. AT&T Stadium will be electric. Not just because of the fans, but because this game could decide home-field advantage come January.Bengals vs. Ravens: The Nightcap That Could Shake the AFC
The nightcap is the most intriguing. The Baltimore Ravens are rolling. Five straight wins. Top-10 in scoring and rushing. Head coach John Harbaugh has turned this team into a juggernaut. Their defense? Suffocating. Their offense? Balanced. And they’re hosting the Cincinnati Bengals, who enter at 3-8. But here’s the twist: Joe Burrow is expected to return from injury. That changes everything. Burrow’s presence doesn’t just add points—it adds chaos. The Ravens’ defense has faced elite quarterbacks before, but never one with Burrow’s poise and precision in a high-stakes Thanksgiving night game. This isn’t just a matchup. It’s a statement. If Burrow leads a comeback, the AFC North gets wild. If the Ravens win? They’re the team to beat.A Tradition That Keeps Growing
The NFL’s Thanksgiving games have drawn massive audiences since 1956. In 2023, the three games averaged 31.7 million viewers—more than most Sunday night finales. That’s not just nostalgia. It’s cultural. Families gather. Friends debate. Strangers cheer together. The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys didn’t just adopt a tradition—they became its backbone. And now, with NBC stepping in for the prime-time thriller, the league’s holiday programming feels more alive than ever.Even the college game adds flavor. The United States Naval Academy Midshipmen vs. the University of Memphis Tigers at 7:30 p.m. ET on ESPN offers a quieter, heartfelt counterpoint. A service academy on Thanksgiving? That’s America, too.
What Comes After Thanksgiving?
The holiday isn’t the end—it’s the spark. Week 13 continues Sunday, November 30, with the New York Jets at the New England Patriots at 8:15 p.m. ET. The Patriots are 7-point favorites. The over/under? 46.5 points. That’s a game that could define the AFC East. And don’t forget: Christmas Day 2025 brings more NFL action—Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders on Netflix, Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings on Netflix, and Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs on Prime Video. The NFL isn’t just playing on holidays. It’s owning them.How It All Fits Together
This isn’t just about wins and losses. It’s about legacy. The Packers-Lions rivalry is rooted in the Great Lakes region’s football soul. The Chiefs-Cowboys clash is a modern-day classic—two franchises built on brilliance and swagger. And the Ravens-Bengals battle? That’s the AFC’s new cold war. Each game tells a different story. But together, they form a tapestry of American sport.And if you’re wondering whether you can stream it all? Yes. NFL+, FOX Sports, CBS Sports, NBC Sports—all will carry the games live. No cable? No problem. The tradition lives on, even in the digital age.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are the Lions always on Thanksgiving?
The Detroit Lions began hosting Thanksgiving games in 1934, a marketing move by owner George A. Richards to boost attendance. It worked so well, the NFL made it a permanent tradition. Only WWII interrupted it from 1939–1944. Today, it’s one of the most consistent schedules in sports history—90 years and counting.
Is Joe Burrow really playing against the Ravens?
Yes, according to multiple reports from Bengals insiders, Burrow is expected to return from his high ankle sprain for the Thanksgiving night game. His presence would be a major boost for Cincinnati’s offense, which has struggled without him. But even if he plays, he’ll face a Ravens defense that’s allowed just 14.2 points per game over their last five wins.
How does this affect playoff seeding?
A win for the Baltimore Ravens would solidify their hold on the AFC North and likely lock up a first-round bye. A Packers victory over the Lions could put Green Bay in contention for a wild-card spot, especially if Chicago stumbles. Meanwhile, a Cowboys win could vault them into the NFC’s top-four conversation, putting them on a collision course with the Eagles or 49ers in January.
What’s the historical significance of the Chiefs-Cowboys matchup?
This is only their 13th meeting since 1970, but it’s become a marquee event in recent years. The Chiefs have won six of the last seven. Both teams have combined for six Super Bowl appearances since 2017. A win for Dallas would signal they’ve returned to elite status. A win for Kansas City? It’s another step toward repeating as champions.
Why are these games so popular on TV?
Thanksgiving is one of the few days when families gather and TV viewership spikes. The NFL capitalized on this in the 1950s by scheduling high-profile games. The 2023 games drew 31.7 million viewers—more than the season finale of most scripted TV shows. People don’t just watch for football. They watch because it’s part of the holiday ritual—like pie, parades, and leftovers.
Can I watch the games without cable?
Absolutely. All three games will stream live on NFL+, FOX Sports, CBS Sports, and NBC Sports apps. You’ll need a subscription to one of those platforms, but no traditional cable login is required. The NFL has made it easier than ever to follow the tradition—even if you’re watching from your phone while cooking the turkey.
