DETROIT, MICHIGAN – NOVEMBER 26: A detailed view of a Thanksgiving sign prior to a game between the Detroit Lions and the Houston Texans at Ford Field on November 26, 2020 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Nic Antaya/Getty Images)
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The NFL has a Thanksgiving triple header in store for fans on Thursday on streaming and free TV, as the Detroit Lions take on the Green Bay Packers, the Dallas Cowboys face the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens play the Cincinnati Bengals.
Thanksgiving Day games, of course, have long been a tradition in professional football, dating back to the beginning of the league in 1920. The Detroit Lions started a new tradition in 1934 by hosting but losing to the Chicago Bears, 19-16. Since that time, the Lions have annually hosted a game in Detroit on Thanksgiving, but broke with the tradition during World War II from 1929 to 1944.
Through 2024, the Lions have a Thanksgiving Day game record of 38-44-2.
The Dallas Cowboys also host Thanksgiving Day games annually, a tradition that began in 1966. Apart from the NFL scheduling teams other than the Cowboys for Thanksgiving matchups in 1975 and 1977 (via The Sporting News), the team has annually hosted the holiday matchup since 1978. Overall, the Cowboys’ record on Thanksgiving is 34-22-1.
In 2006, the NFL added a third Thanksgiving Day game, with no specific team serving as an annual host.
Below is the match-up and start time of each Thanksgiving Day game and where you can stream them or watch them on Free TV.
DETROIT, MICHIGAN – DECEMBER 05: Jared Goff #16 of the Detroit Lions plays against the Green Bay Packers at Ford Field on December 05, 2024 in Detroit, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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Detroit Lions Vs. Green Bay Packers
Kickoff Time: The defending NFC North champions, the Detroit Lions (7-4), take on their division rival, the Green Bay Packers (7-3-1), at 1 p.m. ET/11 a.m. PT at Ford Field in Detroit. The Lions are being led by quarterback Jared Goff, while Jordan Love is under center for the Packers.
The Packers have a Thanksgiving Day game record of 16-20-2 and are 9-12-1 in games against the Lions.
Where To Watch: FOX is airing the game between the Lions and Packers on broadcast television. Fans can also stream the game on FoxOne and NFL+ (phones and tablets only), which both require subscriptions.
KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI – NOVEMBER 21: Micah Parsons #11 of the Dallas Cowboys pursues Patrick Mahomes #15 of the Kansas City Chiefs in the second quarter of the game at Arrowhead Stadium on November 21, 2021 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
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Dallas Cowboys Vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Kick-Off Time: The defending AFC Conference champion, the Kansas City Chiefs (6-5), travel to AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, to take on the NFC East’s Dallas Cowboys (5-5-1) in the NFL’s second Thanksgiving Day game, which begins at 4:30 p.m. ET/1:30 p.m. PT. Patrick Mahomes is under center for the Chiefs, while quarterback Dak Prescott is starting for the Cowboys.
The Chiefs have a Thanksgiving Day game record of 5-5 and have only played the Cowboys once on Thanksgiving (in 1995), losing 24-12. The Chiefs played their first game as the Dallas Texans — the original home of the franchise — in 1960 against the New York Titans (now the New York Jets), losing 41-35.
Where To Watch: CBS is airing the game between the Cowboys and Chiefs on broadcast television. Fans can also stream the game on Paramount+ and NFL+ (phones and tablets only), which both require subscriptions.
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – NOVEMBER 07: Lamar Jackson #8 of the Baltimore Ravens looks to pass the ball against B.J. Hill #92 of the Cincinnati Bengals during the third quarter at M&T Bank Stadium on November 07, 2024 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
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Baltimore Ravens Vs. Cincinnati Bengals
Kickoff Time: The defending AFC North champion, the Baltimore Ravens (6-5), host the Thanksgiving night game vs. its division rival, the Cincinnati Bengals (3-8), at 8:20 ET/5:20 PT at M&T Stadium in Baltimore.
Quarterback Joe Burrow is returning to start for the Bengals after being sidelined most of the season with a toe injury, while Lamar Jackson is under center for the Ravens. Ironically, Jackson is currently battling a toe injury.
The Ravens have a Thanksgiving game record of 2-0, while the Bengals’ record on the holiday is 0-1.
Where To Watch: NBC is airing the game between the Ravens and Bengals on broadcast television. Viewers can also stream the game on Peacock and NFL+ (phones and tablets only), which both require subscriptions.