The Ultimate 2025 NFL Thanksgiving Football Schedule: Matchups, Kickoff Times, And Rivalry Showdowns

The 2025 NFL Thanksgiving Day schedule is officially set, delivering a powerhouse triple-header of football action guaranteed to be the perfect centerpiece for your holiday feast. This year, the tradition continues with three must-watch matchups featuring perennial powerhouses, intense divisional rivalries, and the league’s most exciting quarterbacks.

For fans planning their Turkey Day festivities on Thursday, November 27, 2025, the lineup offers an ideal progression from the early afternoon NFC North battle to a massive AFC nightcap. The schedule is highlighted by the traditional hosts, the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys, who once again anchor the holiday slate against formidable opponents. The three-game slate ensures wall-to-wall coverage across FOX, CBS, and NBC, making it easy to catch every snap.

The Full 2025 NFL Thanksgiving Day Schedule

The 2025 Thanksgiving football schedule is stacked with three nationally televised games, including two fierce divisional showdowns and a marquee inter-conference classic. The day begins in Detroit, moves to Dallas, and concludes with a prime-time AFC North clash.

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Game 1: NFC North Showdown—Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions

The Thanksgiving tradition kicks off with the Detroit Lions hosting their annual game at Ford Field. This tradition dates back to 1934 and remains one of the most cherished aspects of the NFL schedule.

The 2025 matchup features a high-stakes NFC North rivalry game against the Green Bay Packers. Both teams are expected to be in the thick of the divisional race, making this a pivotal mid-season clash. For the Packers, this marks their third consecutive appearance on the holiday, highlighting the league’s focus on this classic rivalry.

The storyline here is a battle for NFC North supremacy. With the Lions emerging as a consistent playoff contender, their home-field advantage on Turkey Day is now a major factor. The Packers, led by their dynamic offense, will look to spoil the party and gain a crucial edge in the standings. This early game sets the tone for the entire day.

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Game 2: The Marquee Midday Classic—Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys

The second game is the centerpiece of the holiday, featuring two of the NFL’s most valuable and recognized franchises: the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys have been a Thanksgiving staple since 1966, a tradition started by general manager Tex Schramm to boost the team's national profile.

This inter-conference matchup pits two superstar quarterbacks against each other: Patrick Mahomes for the Chiefs and Dak Prescott for the Cowboys. The game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS, capturing the attention of millions of viewers across the country as they settle in for their post-meal football coma.

The Chiefs-Cowboys Storyline: This game carries significant playoff implications for both teams, often framed as a potential "elimination game" or a major statement victory. The high-powered Chiefs offense, known for its dynamic plays, will face a Cowboys defense that excels at creating turnovers. This game is a must-watch for fans of elite quarterback play and high-scoring affairs. Early analysis suggests a potential shootout, with some predictions even pointing to a narrow Cowboys victory based on their home-field success on Thanksgiving.

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Game 3: AFC North Rivalry Nightcap—Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens

The Thanksgiving triple-header concludes with a fierce AFC North rivalry game under the lights: the Cincinnati Bengals traveling to face the Baltimore Ravens. This prime-time slot on NBC has become a modern Thanksgiving tradition, showcasing an intense matchup to cap off the holiday.

Divisional matchups are always intense, but the Bengals-Ravens rivalry has been particularly heated in recent years, often deciding the fate of the AFC North title. The presence of star quarterbacks, including the Bengals' Joe Burrow and the Ravens' Lamar Jackson, elevates the stakes of this game dramatically.

The Bengals-Ravens Storyline: This late-night game is a crucial divisional battle. The Ravens, known for their strong defense and run game, will look to use their home-field advantage at M&T Bank Stadium. The Bengals, with their explosive passing attack, will counter with a high-octane offense. The outcome could have major seeding implications for the AFC playoffs, making it far more than just a holiday exhibition.

Thanksgiving Football: A Cherished American Tradition

The tradition of football on Thanksgiving Day is one of the most enduring and beloved aspects of the American holiday. While football games were played on Thanksgiving by high school and college teams as far back as 1876, the NFL solidified the tradition in the 1930s.

• The Detroit Lions' Origin: The tradition began in 1934 when then-owner George A. Richards, hoping to boost attendance and excitement for his struggling franchise, scheduled a game against the undefeated Chicago Bears. He used his radio network to broadcast the game nationally, and it was a massive success, selling out the stadium. The Lions have hosted a game every year since (except during World War II).
• The Dallas Cowboys' Start: The Cowboys joined the tradition in 1966. They were not an immediate sell-out, but Schramm guaranteed the NFL that the game would be a success, and it quickly became an integral part of the team's identity and the holiday’s schedule.
• The Third Game: The NFL introduced a third, prime-time game in 2006 to provide a full day of football, cementing the triple-header format fans enjoy today. This game is hosted by a rotating set of teams, ensuring a fresh matchup each year.

The combination of football, family, and food—often referred to as "Turkey Day Football"—has created a powerful cultural entity. It’s a day where millions of Americans gather around the television, regardless of their team affiliation, to watch the drama unfold. The 2025 schedule, with its mix of classic rivalries and high-stakes matchups, promises to uphold this cherished tradition.

Watching and Streaming the 2025 Thanksgiving Games

All three NFL Thanksgiving games in 2025 will be nationally televised, making them easily accessible for most viewers.

• Over-the-Air Broadcasts: If you have an antenna, you can watch the games for free on your local FOX, CBS, and NBC affiliates.
• Cable/Satellite: All games are available through standard cable and satellite subscriptions that carry the respective networks.
• Live Streaming Options: For cord-cutters, the games can be streamed live through various services:
  • FOX & CBS Games: Available on streaming services like Fubo, Paramount+, YouTube TV, and Hulu + Live TV.
  • NBC Game (Sunday Night Football): Available on Peacock, NBC's streaming service, as well as the live TV options mentioned above.
  • NFL+: The league's own streaming service, NFL+, will offer live local and prime-time games on mobile devices.

Be sure to check your local listings for any minor time adjustments, but the 1:00 p.m., 4:30 p.m., and 8:20 p.m. ET kickoff times are the official schedule for the 2025 holiday. Enjoy the ultimate day of football!