NFL Thanksgiving games streaming: How to watch live
Thanksgiving has long been synonymous with family gatherings, feasting, and, of course, the annual tradition of watching NFL games. The league has been a fixture on this holiday since its inception in 1920, with the Detroit Lions officially hosting the Thanksgiving game since 1934. The Dallas Cowboys joined the lineup in 1966, solidifying this event as a cornerstone of American Thanksgiving celebrations. This year, fans are in for a treat with a lineup that includes two division rivalries and a much-anticipated appearance by the Kansas City Chiefs, who have not played on Thanksgiving since 2006.
The first game features an NFC North clash between the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions. Both teams are currently vying for playoff positions, with the Lions at 7-4 and the Packers close behind at 7-3-1. Their previous encounter this season saw the Packers pull off a surprising victory over the Lions, who were considered strong contenders for the Super Bowl. With the Lions facing a tough end-of-season schedule, this game is crucial for their playoff hopes. Fans can catch this matchup on FOX or stream it for free on Tubi starting at 12 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. ET.
Following this, the Dallas Cowboys will host the Kansas City Chiefs in a game that promises to be a nail-biter. The Cowboys are coming off a significant win against the reigning champion Eagles, while the Chiefs are looking to build on their momentum after a comeback victory against the Indianapolis Colts. Both teams find themselves in precarious playoff positions, with the Cowboys at 5-5-1 and the Chiefs at 6-5, making this game vital for their Wild Card chances. Kickoff is set for 3:30 p.m. CT / 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS, with streaming available on Paramount+.
The primetime matchup features the Cincinnati Bengals against the Baltimore Ravens, a game that has taken on new significance given the recent performances of both teams. The Bengals, who have struggled this season after losing star quarterback Joe Burrow to injury, are hoping to salvage their season with a win. Meanwhile, the Ravens have surged to the top of the AFC North after a rocky start, winning five straight games. With both teams having much at stake, this rivalry game is sure to be an exciting conclusion to the Thanksgiving slate. Fans can watch the action at 7:20 p.m. CT / 8:20 p.m. ET on Peacock or NBC. As families gather around their screens, they can expect plenty of drama and excitement, making this Thanksgiving one to remember.
Thanksgiving
is the season of gratitude, but it’s also the annual tradition of watching your dad and uncles yell at the TV like the refs can hear them.
As far as Thanksgiving holiday traditions go, the
NFL on Thanksgiving
is baked right into the stuffing. The league has stacked Thanksgiving with games since its early days in 1920. By 1934, the Detroit Lions became the holiday’s official hosts, and in 1966 the Dallas Cowboys joined the yearly lineup, cementing the modern tradition.
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This year’s slate is packed: two division rivalries and an appearance from the Super Bowl runner-up Kansas City Chiefs, playing their first Thanksgiving game since 2006.
Here’s how to stream:
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
Kicking off the festivities is an NFC North showdown loaded with playoff implications. The Packers and Lions last met in the season opener, when Green Bay stunned Detroit with a decisive win — a shocker considering the Lions entered the year with some of the highest Super Bowl odds in the league.
Now at 7–4 and fresh off a nail-biter against the 2–10 Giants, Detroit desperately needs this one. Their end-of-season schedule is brutal, and they’re currently sitting just outside the Wild Card picture. Green Bay isn’t exactly cruising either: the Packers are 7–3–1, holding only a half-game edge over Detroit and still staring down two games against the surging 8–3 Bears.
The NFC North is a pressure cooker right now, and only two teams from the division are punching playoff tickets.
If you have cable, the game airs on FOX.
Cord-cutters can stream it for free on
Tubi
at 12 p.m. CT / 1 p.m. ET
.
Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys
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Following the noon matchup, the Dallas Cowboys will host a surprisingly resilient Kansas City Chiefs squad. Dallas is coming off a statement win over the reigning champion Eagles after climbing out of a 21–0 hole. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are riding the momentum of their own after a comeback victory against one of the AFC’s top teams, the Indianapolis Colts.
It’s been a weird season for both franchises. The Cowboys opened the year by trading star edge rusher Micah Parsons to Green Bay after failing to reach a deal on his new contract — a move that stunned just about everyone. The Chiefs, perennial AFC West bullies, suddenly find themselves sitting third at 6–5. For a team that’s made five of the last seven Super Bowls, that’s a jarring place to be. Whether it’s an aging pass rush or an offense that’s grown too predictable, something’s clearly off. Still, back-to-back strong wins have kept them in the hunt.
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Both teams desperately need this game to boost their Wild Card odds. The Cowboys, 5–5–1 and sitting 10th in the NFC, essentially need to win out — though matchups against the Commanders and Giants give them a fighting chance. The Chiefs are in a similar logjam, tied with the Steelers and Texans as the most likely contenders for the final AFC Wild Card spot if any combination of Jacksonville, Buffalo, or the Chargers stumble down the stretch.
Kickoff is at
3:30 p.m. CT / 4:30 p.m. ET on CBS, with streaming available on
Paramount+
.
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
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at NBC.com
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If you’d told NFL fans a few weeks ago that this would be the primetime Thanksgiving headliner, they probably would’ve laughed. But the football gods have blessed us, and now we’re getting Joe Burrow vs. Lamar Jackson in an AFC North rivalry game under the national spotlight. That alone is something to be thankful for.
It’s been a season the Bengals would love to forget. Losing Joe Burrow in Week 2 to a grade 3 turf toe injury — a silly-sounding name for a very real ligament tear in his big toe — derailed everything. Burrow is finally back, but at 3–8, Cincinnati does not remotely resemble the playoff hopeful they expected to be.
The Ravens, on the other hand, were a mess early on. They opened 1–5 before hitting their Week 7 bye, but since then, they’ve ripped off five straight wins to take control of the AFC North. That’s not exactly a Herculean task given the division standings: Cleveland and Cincinnati sit at 3–8, and Pittsburgh can’t find consistency, going 2–3 over their last five.
Still, Baltimore is hot, and they’ll be looking to ride that momentum straight into another win to solidify their grip on the division. As for the Bengals, they’re not mathematically dead. If they win out — and Burrow stays healthy — they could still finish 9–8 with a puncher’s chance at sneaking into the postseason.
You can watch this on Peacock at 7:20 p.m. CT / 8:20 p.m. EST
. Or NBC if you have cable.
