Emily Chen | August 8, 2025
You've been told that every NFL team has played on Thanksgiving at some point — but that belief might be completely wrong. While the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys dominate our turkey day memories with their annual tradition, there's a surprising truth lurking beneath the surface of NFL Thanksgiving history that most fans never discover.
You've been told that every NFL team has played on Thanksgiving at some point — but that belief might be completely wrong. While the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys dominate our turkey day memories with their annual tradition, there's a surprising truth lurking beneath the surface of NFL Thanksgiving history that most fans never discover.
The reality is far more interesting than you'd expect. Some teams have shocking Thanksgiving records, others have barely stepped foot on the field during the holiday, and one franchise stands out with a particularly unfortunate distinction. Let's dive into the myths versus the surprising truths about NFL teams and their Thanksgiving Day performances.
Myth: All 32 NFL teams have played roughly the same number of Thanksgiving games.
Truth: The Lions and Cowboys have completely dominated Thanksgiving football, creating a massive imbalance.
Detroit has hosted a Thanksgiving game almost every year since 1934, racking up over 80 Thanksgiving appearances. Dallas joined the tradition in 1966 and has played nearly every Thanksgiving since then. Meanwhile, teams like the Jacksonville Jaguars have played just a handful of Thanksgiving games in their entire franchise history. The NFL only added a third Thanksgiving game in 2006, and even then, the rotation doesn't ensure equal opportunity for all teams.
This concentration means some franchises have built entire fan traditions around turkey day football, while others remain virtual strangers to the holiday spotlight. The economic impact is substantial too — Thanksgiving games generate massive television ratings and revenue that only a select few teams regularly enjoy.
Myth: Teams with good regular season records automatically perform well on Thanksgiving.
Truth: Holiday football creates its own unique pressures and outcomes that don't always align with season performance.
The compressed schedule, travel demands, and family distractions can completely flip a team's typical performance. Some powerhouse franchises have struggled mightily when the spotlight hits on Thanksgiving Thursday. The New England Patriots, despite their decades of dominance, have a surprisingly mediocre Thanksgiving record when they've appeared on the holiday.
Short preparation time between games can particularly hurt teams that rely heavily on complex game planning. Meanwhile, teams with strong running games and solid defenses often thrive in the controlled chaos of holiday football. The emotional weight of playing on such a nationally televised stage can either elevate teams beyond their typical capability or create pressure that leads to uncharacteristic mistakes.
Myth: Every NFL team has managed at least one Thanksgiving victory.
Truth: The Cincinnati Bengals hold the dubious distinction of being 0-1 on Thanksgiving Day.
While this might seem like a small sample size, it's actually quite remarkable in the context of NFL history. The Bengals played their lone Thanksgiving game on November 28, 1996, losing to the Dallas Cowboys 26-18 at Texas Stadium. What makes this even more interesting is that Cincinnati was having a decent season that year, finishing 8-8, yet they couldn't break through on the holiday stage.
The game itself was closer than the final score suggested, with the Bengals keeping pace for most of the contest before Dallas pulled away in the fourth quarter. Cincinnati's inability to return to Thanksgiving since then means they've never had another opportunity to break their holiday losing streak. This puts them in a unique position among NFL franchises — they're not just winless on Thanksgiving, they've barely been invited to the party.
Myth: Newer franchises perform better on Thanksgiving because they have less historical baggage.
Truth: Expansion teams and younger franchises often struggle with the unique demands of holiday football.
The Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, and Carolina Panthers have all faced challenges when appearing on Thanksgiving. These organizations lack the institutional knowledge and holiday game experience that older franchises possess. The pressure of performing on such a massive stage, combined with the logistical challenges of holiday scheduling, can overwhelm teams that aren't used to the spotlight.
Veteran franchises have developed systems and traditions around Thanksgiving games that newer teams simply haven't had time to establish. This includes everything from how they handle player family time during the holiday to managing the intense media attention that comes with nationally televised games. The learning curve is steep, and the margin for error is slim when 30+ million viewers are watching.
Myth: The NFL gives equal Thanksgiving opportunities to all markets, regardless of size.
Truth: Television ratings and market size heavily influence Thanksgiving game selections.
The NFL is a business, and Thanksgiving represents one of the biggest television audiences of the year. Networks and the league naturally gravitate toward large market teams or franchises with national followings. This means teams like the Green Bay Packers might get more Thanksgiving appearances than their market size would suggest, thanks to their national brand, while teams in smaller markets get fewer opportunities.
The economic reality is that a Lions-Cowboys game will likely outdraw a matchup between two smaller market teams, regardless of their records or playoff implications. This creates a self-perpetuating cycle where certain teams become associated with Thanksgiving football while others remain on the outside looking in. The recent addition of streaming and multiple network partnerships has begun to shift this dynamic slightly, but traditional patterns still dominate.
Understanding these Thanksgiving football myths can actually teach us something valuable about opportunities in general. Just like how some NFL teams get more holiday chances than others, opportunities in life aren't always distributed equally. The key isn't waiting for the perfect moment or the fair shake — it's making the most of whatever chances come your way.
Whether you're looking to build a side income online or simply want to understand the fascinating patterns behind America's most-watched sporting events, the lesson remains the same. Success often comes down to preparation meeting opportunity, regardless of how many times you get to step onto the big stage.
Let go of the assumption that everyone gets equal opportunities — and start focusing on maximizing whatever chances come your way. Sometimes being 0-1 is just the beginning of a comeback story waiting to be written.
1. Pro Football Reference - NFL Thanksgiving Game Records and Statistics
2. NFL.com Official Records - Thanksgiving Game History 1920-2024
3. Sports Business Journal - Television Ratings Analysis for NFL Thanksgiving Games
