Dallas, TX
Why do the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions always play on Thanksgiving?
When you think of Thanksgiving, certain images probably spring to the forefront of your mind. There’s undoubtedly a table full of food, whether it’s an idealized version à la Norman Rockwell or something more akin to real life. And, for many families, football is probably a part of that equation.
Over the years, the NFL has successfully staked its claim to Turkey Day, with the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys becoming as much as of a holiday fixture as turkey and stuffing. But have you ever wondered why they’re ever-presents?
As with many other seasonal mysteries, it largely comes down to tradition.
Photo-illustration by Newsweek
Why Do the Cowboys Play Every Thanksgiving?
There are plenty of cliches about how you can’t get an opportunity without asking for it. Former Cowboys president and general manager Tex Schramm apparently took that to heart.
As laid out in a 2021 Dallas Morning News post, Schramm volunteered his team for a second Thanksgiving Day game (the Lions, as we’ll discuss shortly, were already playing on the holiday). The offer, however, came on one condition: the Cowboys would play that contest at home.
The gambit promptly paid off. Dallas took to the field on Thanksgiving 1966 and beat the visiting Cleveland Browns 26-14. To make things even sweeter for Schramm, more than 82,000 fans piled into the Cotton Bowl to watch the game.
The Cowboys have played away from home twice, in 1975 and 1977, but those games were outliers.
Why Do the Lions Play Every Thanksgiving?
When the Cowboys entered the Thanksgiving Day picture, they were the new kids on the block. The Lions, believe it or not, have an even longer history on the holiday.
As explained by the Pro Football Hall of Fame, the tradition dates back to 1934 when George A. Richards bought the Portsmouth Spartans, moved them to Detroit and rebranded the club as the Lions. Looking to make a splash during the initial campaign in the Motor City, Richards not only scheduled a Thanksgiving game against the Chicago Bears, but struck a deal with NBC to broadcast the game across 94 radio stations.
Detroit lost that day, but the game proved to be a massive public relations success. It was such a hit that barring a break for World War II, the Lions have hosted an annual Turkey Day contest ever since.
Do Other Teams Play on Thanksgiving?
While the Lions and the Cowboys are synonymous with Thanksgiving Day football, they don’t hold a monopoly on the holiday. Since both teams traditionally host home games, two other clubs have to enter the fray to complete the matchups.
The NFL made things a triple-header in 2006, making even more space on the holiday schedule. The Kansas City Chiefs hosted the first edition of that third contest—KC’s founder and original owner had advocated for a third Turkey Day game—but they didn’t become a fixture like Detroit and Dallas. That means two additional franchises get a spot in the limelight each year.
Over the years, every currently active NFL team has gotten a chance to play on Thanksgiving barring one: the Jacksonville Jaguars.
What Was the ‘Thanksgiving Day Massacre?’
When you settle in to watch some festive football, you’re probably rooting for an evenly matched contest, assuming you don’t have any skin in the game. The “Thanksgiving Day Massacre” however, was a bit one-sided.
That contest took place in 1962, when the defending champion Green Bay Packers visited the Detroit Lions. The hosts jumped out to a 14-0 lead and never looked back.
Detroit’s defense dominated the day, limiting Green Bay to 122 yards of total offense. Quarterback Bart Starr threw two interceptions and took his lumps from the Lions’ pass rush; the finer statistical details are unclear, but he was probably sacked at least 10 times. One of those tackles for a loss resulted in a safety, and another turned into a fumble that Detroit recovered for a touchdown.
While the 26-14 score line doesn’t seem that dramatic, the punishment that the Lions’ defense dished out, the game has earned a place in NFL history as the “Thanksgiving Day Massacre.”
2024 NFL Games: Schedule, Matchups and Times
So, with all of that history established, who will be taking the field on Thanksgiving 2024?
As per tradition, the Detroit Lions will host the early game, facing off against the Chicago Bears at 12:30 p.m. ET on CBS. And while NFL fans will remember years of questioning why awful Lions teams had to play on Thanksgiving, the current squad is certainly worth the watch.
The middle matchup looked good when the schedule came out, but the New York Giants’ visit to the Dallas Cowboys (4:30 p.m. ET on Fox) has lost some luster. The game is a rivalry, but with both clubs struggling and playing without their opening day starters (Dak Prescott is injured and Daniel Jones has been benched), this one could be a slog.
The 8:30 p.m. ET nightcap (NBC) features the Miami Dolphins and the Green Bay Packers. If you haven’t drifted off into a turkey-fueled nap by then, the game will feature both plenty of talent and some potential playoff implications. It will also be interesting to see if the Dolphins can cope with a chilly Wisconsin evening; Florida teams struggling in cold road games is a bit of a cliché, but Miami didn’t exactly disprove that theory during a freezing playoff game last season.
And, if that’s not enough for you, there will also be a Black Friday game as the Kansas City Chiefs host the Las Vegas Raiders at 3 p.m. ET (Prime Video). If last year’s Christmas Day edition of the classic rivalry is any indication, expect a hard-fought contest with at least a few twists and turns along the way.
Dallas, TX
Cowboys Team Doctor Played Role in Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Debacle
The Dallas Cowboys were initially in the mix for Las Vegas Raiders superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby ahead of NFL free agency, and were believed to be one of the finalists in trade talks. However, he was ultimately traded to the Baltimore Ravens for two first-round picks.
Now, the NFL world has been turned on its head with the Ravens deciding to pull out of the trade agreement with Las Vegas.
On Tuesday night, NFL insider Adam Schefter was among the experts discussing what went wrong between the Raiders and Ravens, revealing that Cowboys team physician Dr. Daniel Cooper, one of the premier knee specialists, played a role in the Ravens’ evaluation of Crosby.
Schefter discussed how Dr. Cooper was among the doctors who reviewed scans on Crosby’s knee, which ultimately spooked the Ravens and triggered the end of the deal.
“The Baltimore Ravens essentially failed him on their physical, and my understanding is there were multiple doctors that reviewed his MRI scans,” Schefter said. “There were doctors that examined him, including Dr. Daniel Cooper, the Dallas Cowboys doctor that performed surgery on Patrick Mahomes and Malik Nabers.
“Many teams and players rely on Dr. Cooper’s expertise, and Dr. Cooper was one of the doctors who reviewed the images where the Ravens then felt compelled to back out of this trade.”
It’s hard not to connect the dots that Dr. Cooper’s involvement in the medical review of Crosby led to the team deciding against re-engaging in trade discussions. Though that could change, currently, the Cowboys are expected to move forward with Pro Bowl EDGE Rashan Gary, who the team agreed to acquire from the Green Bay Packers for a 2027 fourth-round pick on the first day of legal tampering.
It will be interesting to continue monitoring the situation and its fallout, which has left the Raiders in a terrible position.
But, with the Raiders now forced to re-examine the money they committed to free agents on Wednesday evening, they may have to pull out of one of their own agreements, which could open the door for the Cowboys to reopen their pursuit of a linebacker like Nakobe Dean or Quay Walker.
The 2026 NFL calendar year officially begins on Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 p.m. ET, so get your popcorn ready, because it’s going to be a wild ride.
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Dallas, TX
Maxx Crosby-Ravens Trade Dead, Opening Perfect Cowboys Opportunity
Dallas Cowboys Nation’s hopes of landing superstar pass rusher Maxx Crosby were dashed last weekend when it was announced that he was being traded to the Baltimore Ravens. However, less than 24 hours before the new year, the trade has fallen apart.
On Tuesday night, the Las Vegas Raiders announced that the Ravens have backed out of the trade.
“The Baltimore Ravens have backed out of our trade agreement for Maxx Crosby,” the statement read. “We will have no further comment at this time.”
The news sends a major ripple for the league, with the Crosby sweepstakes once again open. Before his trade to the Ravens, the Cowboys were considered one of the teams closely monitoring the situation and a team that made a legitimate offer for Crosby.
At this time, there is no word on why the trade between Las Vegas and Baltimore fell through. When the trade was first reported, the Raiders were set to receive a 2026 and 2027 first-round pick from the Ravens.
Now, his future is in limbo. Before he was traded to the Ravens, it was believed that the Cowboys, Chicago Bears, and Los Angeles Rams were the top candidates to land him. In fact, the Cowboys were “considered runner-ups” in the sweepstakes.
Dallas’ Original Trade Offer
According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Cowboys initially offered the No. 12 overall pick in the 2026 draft, a 2027 second-round pick, and an unnamed veteran player.
“Dallas kept a hard line throughout. The franchise wasn’t willing to part with two first-round picks, hoping its 12th pick in April’s draft, plus a future second-rounder, would be enough to entice Las Vegas. Dallas was also willing to package a veteran player to sweeten the deal, but Vegas wasn’t interested in that. The Raiders prioritized picks,” Fowler wrote.
Last season, Crosby recorded 73 total tackles, 28 tackles for a loss, 20 quarterback hits, 10 sacks, two forced fumbles, and an interception.
We’ll have to see if Dallas ends up being his new home, now that the team has a second chance to make something special happen, but there will be some serious competition. The 2026 NFL calendar year officially begins on Wednesday, March 11, at 4:00 p.m. ET.
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Dallas, TX
Dallas weather: Severe storms bring hail and tornado threats | See timing
DALLAS – Severe thunderstorms are forecast to return to North Texas late Tuesday, bringing threats of damaging hail, high winds and localized flooding. While the primary concerns are wind and hail, a few tornadoes cannot be ruled out.
Tuesday Forecast
Dallas weather: Mar. 10 morning forecast
We have another chance of severe storms starting Tuesday afternoon. Meteorologist Ali Turiano has your forecast and everything you need to know ahead of the storms.
Scattered showers and storms are expected to develop as a dryline to the west moves into the region. Storm conditions are expected to intensify as the day progresses.
The greatest concerns remain damaging winds and large hail. The leading edge of the storm front will likely be the most intense, with the potential for straight-line winds and brief spin-up tornadoes.
LIVE Radar: Dallas-Fort Worth
Dallas Storms: Timing and Impact
The highest potential for severe weather in the Metroplex is from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m., though lingering activity could continue until 2 a.m. Wednesday. Residents are advised to seek shelter immediately if a warning is issued for their area.
7-Day Forecast
A final round of storms is expected Wednesday, primarily between noon and 7 p.m., according to the National Weather Service. These storms carry a threat of half-dollar-sized hail and damaging winds.
Behind this system, North Texas will dry out and briefly cool off. Sunny skies return Thursday with a high in the mid-60s. Temperatures will then warm into the upper 70s on Friday before a sunny weekend with highs in the low 80s.
The Source: Information in this article comes from the National Weather Service and FOX 4 forecasters.
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