Why Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys Are Thanksgiving Day Football Fixtures Every Single Year

When fans settle in for their Thanksgiving Day football marathon, two teams have practically reserved seating on the holiday schedule: the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys. But why do these franchises get the prime November holiday spotlight while other NFL teams wait for their turn? The answer lies in a combination of strategic marketing genius and nearly a century of tradition.

The Origins: How One Owner Changed The Holiday Forever

The story begins in 1934 when G.A. Richards, owner of the Detroit Lions, had a brilliant idea: schedule games on Thanksgiving to boost attendance and generate media buzz for his struggling franchise. It worked. That first game drew over 26,000 spectators—an impressive crowd for that era. The Lions maintained this tradition through most years, with exceptions only during World War II (1939-1944 when games weren’t played due to the war).

The Lions created something that became bigger than any single franchise. Their holiday game predates the Super Bowl and many of the teams currently competing in the league, which explains why the tradition has proven nearly impossible to break.

The Cowboys Join The Party—And Take It National

The Dallas Cowboys didn’t begin their Thanksgiving Day tradition until 1966, when they defeated the Cleveland Browns 26-14 in front of 80,259 fans. Like the Lions, the Cowboys recognized the national television exposure and fan engagement the holiday provided. They’ve played nearly every year since, with only 1975 and 1977 as exceptions.

Together, these two franchises essentially locked in the Thanksgiving Day game slot through sheer longevity and the NFL’s commitment to honoring tradition.

The Modern Era: Expansion And Competition

In 2006, the league added a primetime Thanksgiving game featuring rotating teams, expanding the holiday slate from two to three games. Today, the green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears also get occasional holiday slots, but the Lions and Cowboys remain the permanent fixtures.

Historical Records Tell A Different Story

Despite their prestigious scheduling, the performance records are surprisingly mixed. The Detroit Lions hold an all-time Thanksgiving Day record of 37-44-2, meaning they’ve actually lost more than they’ve won on the holiday. In fact, heading into recent contests, the Lions had dropped six consecutive Thanksgiving games.

The Dallas Cowboys fared better historically, posting a 32-22-1 record. The Packers stand at 14-20-2, while the Chicago Bears hold a 20-15-2 mark on Thanksgiving.

2023 Thanksgiving Games: Matchups And Odds

Three contests highlight the 2023 Thanksgiving schedule:

Early Game: Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions at 12:30 p.m. ET on FOX (Lions favored by 7.5 points)

Afternoon Game: Washington Commanders at Dallas Cowboys at 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS (Cowboys favored by 12.5 points)

Primetime Game: San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks at 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC (49ers favored by 7.5 points)

All three matchups feature clear favorites, each favored by more than a touchdown.

Betting Trends: What The Data Reveals

Wagering patterns show interesting trends for those placing bets. The Lions earned favorable odds, marking the first time since 2016 they’ve been favored for their Thanksgiving contest. According to available data, the Lions hadn’t been double-digit favorites since 1997, and this represents only the third time in four decades they’ve been 7-point favorites or more against the Packers.

Recent performance against the spread tells another story: the Lions have covered in 8 of their last 11 Thanksgiving matchups, while the Cowboys have covered just once in their last 12 holiday games (1-11 record against the spread). Interestingly, when the Cowboys take a double-digit favorite role on Thanksgiving, they’ve gone 12-0 straight-up and 9-3 against the spread dating back to 1970.

Why These Traditions Endure

The Jacksonville Jaguars remain the only current NFL franchise never to appear in a Thanksgiving game, underscoring just how exclusive this holiday opportunity remains. For the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys, nearly a century of precedent and television ratings have made them unmovable institutions on the American holiday sports calendar. What started as a creative marketing ploy by one owner evolved into one of professional sports’ most durable traditions.