Frank SchwabSenior writerWed, November 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM UTC·4 min readThe one guarantee for the NFL's Thanksgiving games is that a massive audience will watch.
Last year, the three Thanksgiving games drew an average of 34.2 million viewers, the highest number on record for the holiday. The game between the Chicago Bears and Detroit Lions to start the day had 37.5 million viewers, a record for the early Thanksgiving game, and the Dallas Cowboys-New York Giants game drew the most viewers of the season to that point.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe connection between the NFL and Thanksgiving continues to grow. It's a tradition that goes back to 1920, the NFL's first season, when there were six Thanksgiving games. The Lions became a permanent host in 1934 and the Cowboys hosted their first Thanksgiving game in 1966. It has been a boon for the popularity of both teams, and will continue to be with the ratings growth.
How are this year's three matchups?
We attempt to equate each game to the dishes you'll find on the Thanksgiving table at your holiday gathering.
Turkey, stuffing and mashed potatoes: Packers at Lions
It wasn't long ago that the Lions were so bad, and for such a long time, that there were calls to take the Thanksgiving game away from them. That has changed.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementThe main course gets served first. Packers at Lions is a great matchup for any day of the NFL week, but really good for the Thanksgiving opener. There's a revenge angle after the Packers smashed the Lions 27-13 in Week 1, and the game wasn't even as close as the score would indicate. It's a massive game in the NFC North race too. The Packers 7-3-1 and the Lions are 7-4, and the loser will slip further behind the division-leading Bears, who are 8-3.
Both teams have had ups and downs, but at times this season each has looked like a Super Bowl contender. It should be a very competitive game. You don't hear so much about taking the Thanksgiving game away from Detroit anymore.
Pumpkin pie: Chiefs at Cowboys
It's OK to sneak in a bite of dessert in the middle of the meal. This is another game with huge playoff implications for both teams.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementNobody thought the Chiefs would be battling just to get a wild card spot, but the reigning AFC champions have lost five close games and are now in an urgent mode. A win over the Colts in Week 12 helped, but the Chiefs can't afford many more losses at 6-5.
The Cowboys are in even worse shape in the playoff hunt but are still alive after a comeback win over the Philadelphia Eagles improved their record to 5-5-1. Following that up with a win over the Chiefs would make for a real conversation over whether Dallas can steal a wild-card spot. Their defense has looked better since the acquisition of defensive tackle Quinnen Williams, making it a tougher matchup for Patrick Mahomes than it looked a couple weeks ago. Pretty sweet.
That odd side dish that doesn't look great but actually tastes OK: Bengals at Ravens
The Bengals are 3-8 and the one team playing on Thanksgiving that is nowhere near the playoff race. It's not the matchup the NFL was anticipating when it scheduled the Thanksgiving games. That doesn't mean it's not an intriguing game.
AdvertisementAdvertisementAdvertisementJoe Burrow is expected to make his return to the lineup for the Bengals. Burrow hasn't played since Week 2, when he suffered a turf toe injury that required surgery. Burrow hoped to come back to a Bengals team with playoff hopes alive, but that isn't the case with eight losses.
The Ravens are not only alive in the AFC North race after a 1-5 start, they're tied for the lead after their fifth straight win. Still, the Ravens haven't really hit their top gear since Lamar Jackson came back from a hamstring injury four games ago. Facing a bad Bengals defense might help.
It doesn't look like the best matchup, based on the records, but it could still end up being tasty.
AdvertisementAdvertisement
