Who owns Thanksgiving, the Lions or Cowboys? History, records, ratings, and predictions
Thanksgiving Day is all about football. What? You thought it was about family, sharing, and being thankful for the life you have? Incorrect. The truth of the matter is that football was the only reason those pilgrims and Native Americans shared that feast. They knew that nothing was more important than letting their ancestors watch Derrick Henry stiff arm Earl Thomas into oblivion.
The Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions have kept that tradition alive by offering to play on Thanksgiving every year until the end of time. The tradition started in 1934 when the Lions played the world champion Chicago Bears in an instant classic that ended with the Bears winning 19-16. Since 1945, the Lions have not missed a single holiday (no Thanksgiving games were played from 1941-1944).
The Cowboys joined the Lions later, in 1966. They have since missed two Thanksgivings, in 1975 and 1977. While the Lions may have started this tradition, their consistently disappointing performances and failure to win a Super Bowl has forced many fans to lean in favor of the Cowboys every Turkey Day. So, who actually owns Thanksgiving? The Detroit Lions or the Dallas Cowboys?
Records on Thanksgiving
While the Lions have played the most Thanksgiving Day games of any NFL team (89), they haven’t been immune to controversy in that time. Most notably, many NFL fans wanted the Lions removed from Thanksgiving primetime in 2008. The Lions were 0-11 at the time, and were trounced by the Tennessee Titans that year 47-10. Obviously, the NFL decided to let Detroit keep their Turkey Day tradition.
The Lions have a record of 37-44-2 on Thanksgiving. Since 2000 though, the Lions are an abysmal 6-17 on Thanksgiving. Currently, the Lions have lost six straight, most recently a 28-25 loss to the Buffalo Bills in 2022.
The Cowboys on the other hand, have a record of 32-22-1 on Thanksgiving. While they have lost three of their last four Thanksgiving Day contests, they’ve proven much more capable of living up to the Turkey Day privilege than Detroit in recent years.
Betting odds, as of Monday evening:
Green Bay Packers (4-6) @ Detroit Lions (8-2):
- Spread: Lions (-7.5)
- Moneyline: Lions (-375); Packers (+290)
- Over/under: 45.5
Washington Commanders (4-7) @ Dallas Cowboys (7-3):
- Spread: Cowboys (-10.5)
- Moneyline: Cowboys (-590); Commanders (+430)
- Over/under: 48.5
Cream rising:NFL power rankings Week 12: Eagles, Chiefs affirm their place at top
Thanksgiving Day Predictions:
Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions:
While the Lions have lost each of their last six Turkey Day games, they are a much better team now than they were even a year ago. The Lions have already beaten the Packers handedly this season, 38-20. Now get to face them at home. The Packers will likely be without both star running back Aaron Jones and star cornerback Jaire Alexander as well.
As bad as the Lions have been on Thanksgiving, the Packers haven’t been much better, boasting just a 14-20-2 record all-time. Give me the Lions (-7.5) all day.
Prediction: Lions 29, Packers 16
Washington Commanders @ Dallas Cowboys:
The Commanders are one of the toughest teams to predict in all of football. Their 4-7 record would have you thinking they’re a middle-of-the-road, maybe even low-tier team. However, they were also very close to defeating the Philadelphia Eagles, forcing the reigning NFC champs to overtime in Week 4. Washington always seems to play to their level of competition, and while that doesn’t mean they will beat the Cowboys, they will probably keep it close.
The Commanders are a dreadful 4-8 all-time on Thanksgiving. That’s the second-worst record of any team with at least ten Thanksgiving Day games played. Only the Arizona Cardinals (6-15-2) are worse. That said, I like the Commanders to keep this one a one-possession game. Divisional games are always tougher than the rest because each team knows the other so well.
Prediction: Cowboys 31, Commanders 24
NFL Week 12 schedule:What to know about betting odds, early lines, byes
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside.