Which NFL teams play on Thanksgiving? Traditions and 2022 fixtures for holiday explored

The NFL is big on festivities, and no festivity has a bigger tradition than the Thanksgiving games played each year. Two teams traditionally play every Thanksgiving - the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions.

The Lions were the first team to host a NFL Thanksgiving game, and that was back in 1934. On that occasion, the Chicago Bears narrowly defeated the Lions in a 19-16 victory. It has now become a tradition honored by the NFL and American sports as a whole.

32 years after the Lions hosted their first Thanksgiving game, the Dallas Cowboys joined the honorable tradition. They hosted the Cleveland Browns on Thanksgiving in 1966, where they trounced the Browns 26-14. Thus, the Dallas Cowboys Thanksgiving game tradition began and it has been a staple of the league ever since (except in 1975 and 1977).

It is also worth noting that the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears are frequent participants in Thanksgiving games. The Packers have played in 30 NFL Thanksgiving games while the Bears have participated in 36.

Why do the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions always play on Thanksgiving?

The Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions always play on Thanksgiving because they were pioneers of the idea of the Thanksgiving game. Thanks to them, it became a thing. Thanksgiving is a time for families to bond, relax, relive good times, and now watch football. What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than watching the Dallas Cowboys and the celebrated underdog, the Detroit Lions?

What's more, the Lions had a network deal that set it apart, making Thanksgiving mean a lot more in the motor city. The only seasons Detroit did not play on Thanksgiving were between 1939-1944, during World War II.

Thanksgiving fixtures in the 2022 NFL season

This season features three Thanksgiving fixtures. The Buffalo Bills head to Detroit to face the Lions, the Cowboys host the New York Giants and the Minnesota Vikings host the New England Patriots.

All 32 NFL franchise's records in Thanksgiving fixtures

Almost every NFL franchise has played a Thanksgiving matchup. Here are their records for the holiday staple:

• Arizona Cardinals, 6-15-2
• Atlanta Falcons, 1-3
• Baltimore Ravens, 2-0
• Buffalo Bills, 4-4-1
• Carolina Panthers, 1-0
• Chicago Bears, 19-15-2
• Cincinnati Bengals, 0-1
• Cleveland Browns, 0-3
• Dallas Cowboys, 31-21-1
• Denver Broncos, 4-7
• Detroit Lions, 37-42-2
• Green Bay Packers, 14-20-2
• Houston Texans, 2-0
• Indianapolis Colts, 2-1-1
• Jacksonville Jaguars, never played on Thanksgiving
• Kansas City Chiefs, 5-5
• Los Angeles Chargers, 3-1
• Los Angeles Rams, 3-1
• Miami Dolphins, 5-2
• Minnesota Vikings, 6-2
• New England Patriots, 3-2
• New Orleans Saints, 3-0
• New York Giants, 7-5-3
• New York Jets, 4-4
• Las Vegas Raiders, 3-4
• Philadelphia Eagles, 6-1
• Pittsburgh Steelers, 2-6
• San Francisco 49ers, 2-2-1
• Seattle Seahawks, 2-2
• Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 0-1
• Tennessee Titans, 5-2
• Washington Commanders 4-8