Why Do the Lions and Cowboys Play on Thanksgiving Every Year: History, Recent Results and More
Thanksgiving Day in the United States is synonymous with family gatherings, turkey feasts, and football. Two teams have become permanent fixtures of this holiday: the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys. While other teams occasionally join the Thanksgiving lineup, the Lions and Cowboys remain the cornerstone of the tradition. But why these two teams? Let’s delve into the historical roots, examine their recent performances on Thanksgiving, and answer some frequently asked questions about this beloved tradition.
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| Why Do the Lions and Cowboys Play on Thanksgiving Every Year? |
The History Behind the Lions and Cowboys on Thanksgiving
Detroit Lions: Pioneers of Thanksgiving Football
The Lions’ connection to Thanksgiving began in 1934, shortly after the team moved to Detroit. George A. Richards, the team’s owner, wanted to boost attendance and saw Thanksgiving as the perfect opportunity. Back then, professional football struggled to compete with baseball in popularity, and Richards believed a Thanksgiving game could capture fans’ attention.
The inaugural Thanksgiving game was played on November 29, 1934, against the Chicago Bears, the reigning NFL champions. Despite the Lions’ 19–16 loss, the game was a massive success. It attracted over 26,000 fans to the University of Detroit Stadium and garnered national attention through a radio broadcast on NBC.
Since then, the Lions have hosted a Thanksgiving game every year, except during World War II (1941–1944). This long-standing tradition has solidified their place as Thanksgiving icons.
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Dallas Cowboys: The NFL’s Thanksgiving Superstars
The Cowboys joined the Thanksgiving tradition much later, in 1966. At the time, Dallas was still a relatively new franchise, founded in 1960. General manager Tex Schramm saw Thanksgiving as a chance to promote the team nationally.
The gamble paid off. Their first Thanksgiving game drew over 80,000 fans to the Cotton Bowl and a significant television audience. Since then, the Cowboys have played almost every Thanksgiving Day, except in 1975 and 1977, when the NFL briefly experimented with other teams.
Today, the Cowboys are known as “America’s Team,” and their Thanksgiving games are must-watch television.
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| On Thursday, the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys will each host an N.F.L. game. |
Recent Thanksgiving Day Results for the Lions and Cowboys
Detroit Lions (Last 5 Thanksgiving Games)
- 2023: Lost to the Green Bay Packers (29–22)
- 2022: Lost to the Buffalo Bills (28–25)
- 2021: Lost to the Chicago Bears (16–14)
- 2020: Lost to the Houston Texans (41–25)
- 2019: Lost to the Chicago Bears (24–20)
The Lions have struggled in recent years, with their last Thanksgiving victory coming in 2016 against the Minnesota Vikings. Despite their losses, the Lions’ Thanksgiving games remain a cherished tradition for fans in Detroit.
Dallas Cowboys (Last 5 Thanksgiving Games)
- 2023: Won against the Washington Commanders (45–10)
- 2022: Won against the New York Giants (28–20)
- 2021: Lost to the Las Vegas Raiders (36–33)
- 2020: Lost to the Washington Commanders (41–16)
- 2019: Lost to the Buffalo Bills (26–15)
The Cowboys have fared better than the Lions in recent years, with standout performances from stars like Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb. Their games often feature dramatic finishes, adding to their appeal.
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Why Do the Lions and Cowboys Still Play on Thanksgiving?
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Tradition: Thanksgiving football has become a cultural ritual in the U.S., and the Lions and Cowboys are integral to that legacy. Removing them from the lineup would likely upset fans.
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Viewership: These games consistently draw huge television audiences. For example, the Cowboys’ 2022 game against the Giants attracted 42 million viewers, making it the most-watched regular-season NFL game ever.
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Marketing and Branding: For the Lions, Thanksgiving provides a rare moment in the national spotlight. For the Cowboys, it reinforces their “America’s Team” identity.
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NFL Scheduling: The league values consistency. While it occasionally experiments with a third Thanksgiving game, the Lions and Cowboys are fixtures.
Impact of Thanksgiving Games on the Teams’ Legacies
Detroit Lions
Despite their struggles on the field, the Lions’ Thanksgiving games are a source of pride for Detroit. They symbolize the city’s resilience and serve as a reminder of the team’s historical significance.
Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys’ Thanksgiving games have elevated their national profile. Iconic moments, like Randy Moss’s three-touchdown game in 1998 or Tony Romo’s standout performances, have added to their lore.
FAQs
1. Why don’t other teams play on Thanksgiving every year?
While other teams occasionally participate, the Lions and Cowboys have secured their Thanksgiving slots due to tradition and high viewership. The NFL rotates a third game to feature different teams, but the Lions and Cowboys remain constants.
2. Who decides the Thanksgiving matchups?
The NFL schedules the games as part of its broader season planning. Matchups are often designed to maximize viewership, featuring divisional rivals or high-profile teams.
3. Have the Lions or Cowboys ever played each other on Thanksgiving?
No, the Lions and Cowboys have never faced off on Thanksgiving. Both teams traditionally host their own games.
4. What is the Lions’ Thanksgiving Day record?
As of 2023, the Lions have a Thanksgiving record of 37 wins, 44 losses, and 2 ties.
5. What is the Cowboys’ Thanksgiving Day record?
As of 2023, the Cowboys have a Thanksgiving record of 33 wins, 22 losses, and 1 tie.
6. Why do the Lions often lose on Thanksgiving?
The Lions have faced strong opponents over the years, and inconsistent team performance has contributed to their poor Thanksgiving record.
7. When did the NFL introduce the third Thanksgiving game?
The third Thanksgiving game was introduced in 2006 as a prime-time matchup, allowing other teams to participate in the holiday tradition.
8. Have there been any Thanksgiving blowouts?
Yes, Thanksgiving games have seen their share of blowouts. For example, the Cowboys defeated the Dolphins 40–10 in 2017.
9. Are there any memorable Thanksgiving moments?
Some iconic moments include the “Leon Lett Snow Game” in 1993 and Randy Moss’s dominance in 1998.
10. How can I watch the Thanksgiving games?
The games are broadcast nationally on CBS, Fox, and NBC. You can also stream them on platforms like Peacock, NFL+, and Amazon Prime Video for the prime-time game.
The Lions and Cowboys playing on Thanksgiving is more than just a football tradition; it’s a cultural phenomenon. While their reasons for joining the holiday lineup differ—one rooted in history, the other in marketing—their continued presence unites fans across the country. Whether it’s the drama of the game or the nostalgia of the tradition, Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same without these two teams.
So, as you settle in for turkey and stuffing this Thanksgiving, remember that you’re also part of a rich football legacy stretching back nearly a century.
