What NFL teams play on Thanksgiving 2023? Thursday football matchups
Arguably the biggest day on the NFL’s calendar, you can bet that the selection of games for this year’s Thanksgiving Day will be very special.
While the turkey is central, one could argue it Thanksgiving Day wouldn’t be complete without a bit of football. Indeed, NFL fans can look forward to a tasty triple-header this year and one that will likely have some major effects on the teams looking to make a trip to the postseason.
NFL’s Thanksgiving Day schedule
With each passing year, the NFL is occupying more and more of the calendar. Having introduced a Black Friday game for 2023, as well as a Christmas Day tripleheader for the second time, it’s clear that the league is trying to ensure that we all get a taste of the game year-round. Yet, there are few days that are as much a part of the footballing tradition as Thanksgiving Day, a day on which NFL games have been played since the league’s inception way back in 1920.
This week marks the 2nd annual "John Madden Thanksgiving Celebration" across the @NFL!
— NFL Media (@NFLMedia) November 20, 2023
The 3 Thanksgiving Day games will feature a commemorate coin w/ a silhouette of Coach Madden on one side (Heads) & a 6-legged turducken on the other (Tails)https://t.co/lBbgrLIwRU pic.twitter.com/MXx3eFwOgr
As for who plays on Turkey Day? As you probably know, the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions have generally always been featured and that won’t change this year, however, since 2006 the league has given us three matchups on the day, which means once again we’ve got some other treats to look forward to including a prime-time faceoff. Take a look below for the full breakdown of this year’s Thanksgiving Day games:
Please be advised that all times are listed in ET
| Time | Game | TV channel | Live Stream |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:30 p.m. | Packers @ Lions | FOX | fuboTV |
| 4:30 p.m. | Commanders @ Cowboys | CBS | Paramount+ |
| 8:20 p.m. | 49ers @ Seahawks | NBC | fuboTV |
Interestingly, this is the first time since 2018 that all three games on the slate are divisional contests. That’s to say there are some serious playoff implications in all three of the matchups. The Commanders - believe it or not - can still secure a wild card spot, while the Cowboys have their eyes on the NFC East title. The Lions will be looking to secure the top seed in the NFC and the 49ers and Seahawks will be duking it out for the NFC West. One way or another Thanksgiving Day is going to be good.