NFL 2024 calendar: What teams play on Thanksgiving Day?
There are few things more American than football on a Thanksgiving Day. This year the NFL is giving us that times three, with an exciting tripleheader.
It’s been almost 100 years since the Detroit Lions kicked off the tradition of playing on Thanksgiving Day back in 1934. Since then we’ve seen the Dallas Cowboys (1966) do the same to the extent that both are now as synonymous with the day as the turkey itself.
Breaking down the NFL’s Thanksgiving Day tripleheader
That’s correct, the NFL is bringing us a tripleheader once again and it will be starting at 12:30 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 28th, with the final game of the day kicking off at 8:20 p.m. ET. Be sure to keep reading for a closer look at who plays who and what to expect.
Chicago Bears @ Detroit Lions - 12:30 p.m. ET on CBS, streaming on Paramount+
As mentioned above, the Detroit Lions are one of the staple teams of Thanksgiving Day and 2024 will be no different. This year, the Lions will be playing host to Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears. Needless to say, there is a whole lot of anticipation in the air when it comes to the Bears. Firstly, there is their new quarterback, but there is also former Washington wide receiver Rome Odunze who the team Drafted, as well as former Los Angeles Chargers pass catcher Keenan Allen for whom they traded, and Pro Bowl running back D’Andre Swift. One has to admit, that’s an impressive set of players for the No. 1 pick in the Draft to have at his disposal.
Where the Lions are concerned, the team is fresh from its first-ever NFC North title. This, after conceding 13 losses just two seasons ago. Indeed, the Lions were just one win away from making a Super Bowl appearance. With the services of Jared Goff, Amon-Ra St. Brown, and Penei Sewell all having been secured, it’s impressive to think that general manager Brad Holmes was able to acquire even more firepower as the team prepares for what they will be hoping will be an even better campaign. Regarding the last time these two met, it was just last season in Week 14. On that day the Bears came away with a 28-13 win. Something tells us it’s going to be a different story this year.
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys - 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox, streaming on FuboTV
Like the Lions, the Cowboys are an essential ingredient on Thanksgiving Day and as they did last year, will be hosting a division rival in the form of the New York Giants. Now, it would be fair to say that the Cowboys didn’t make a ton of moves in the offseason, but what they did do is add some defensive reinforcements via the Draft. Think Tyler Guyton and Cooper Beebe, as well as Western Michigan’s pass rusher Marshawn Kneeland who appears to be a diamond in the rough.
The Giants on the other hand did make some interesting choices. Firstly, they chose to stick with quarterback Daniel Jones despite a disappointing 2023-24 campaign. Of course, they also selected wide receiver Malik Nabers with the No. 6 overall pick, meaning Jones will have a prolific target this season. Of course, the elephant in the room would be the loss of Saquon Barkley, but the defense also got upgraded with the addition of star pass rusher Brian Burns. As for their last clash, it was in Week 10 of last season and on that day it was the Cowboys who dominated the Giants 49-17 on the back of an impressive showing from quarterback Dak Prescott who threw for 404 scored five total touchdowns and threw one interception.
Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers - 8:20 p.m. ET on NBC, streaming on FuboTV
It’s the last game of the day and promises to be a big one. With both teams featuring quarterbacks who are on the hunt for a big contract, we can expect this one to be full of fireworks. Indeed, Jordan Love will be looking to prove himself as more than Aaron Rodgers’ former backup, while Tua Tagovailoa will be hoping to demonstrate that he really is an elite playmaker. Where the former is concerned, Green Bay has amassed a young and very able receiving crops with Christian Watson the obvious star, but they’ve also added Josh Jacobs and MarShawn Lloyd to the backfield, while picking up linebacker Edgerrin Cooper and safety Javon Bullard in the second round of the Draft.
The Dolphins on the other hand are a different story altogether. After quickly establishing themselves as the most potent offense in the league - the Denver Broncos learned that the hard way in a 70-20 loss - the Dolphins then went 1-5 against playoff teams, and were promptly eliminated from the playoffs by eventual Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs. This is all to say that they definitely have something to prove. On the bright side, they now have arguably the best wide receiving trio in the league with Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Waddle, and Odell Beckham Jr. all on the roster.
The team also added running back Jaylen Wright i.e. even more speed on the ground. Where history is concerned, the last time these two met was on Christmas Day in 2022. Believe it or not, the Dolphins managed to throw away a 20-13 lead at halftime, eventually losing 26-20 to an Aaron Rodgers led Packers team. Incidentally, Tagovailoa entered concussion protocol the very next day after a performance in which he threw three interceptions on the Dolphins’ final three possessions.