The 2024 NFL Thanksgiving games offered a mix of traditional rivalries and exciting matchups, continuing the league’s long-standing tradition of Thanksgiving Day football.
The first game of the day was the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears. The Lions, who have played on Thanksgiving since 1934 (according to sports news site Marca) faced their NFC North rivals, the Chicago Bears.
This game showcased the Lion’s comeback as a competitive team and gave fans an early dose of divisional rivalry. The Bears and Lions have played 20 times on Thanksgiving day, kicking off this year at 12:30 p.m.
“The Lions are one of the best teams this year, and they will go far,” said Derek Kim, a junior political science and philosophy major. “The Bears are turning a lot of heads, but they are losing a lot. It’s clear the team has changed for the better, and they have Caleb Williams who’s great and I think he will take them very far away.”
The Lions pulled out a very close win on the holiday with a score of 23-20.
At 4:30 p.m., the Cowboys, a Thanksgiving staple since 1966, hosted the Giants in what promised to be a classic NFC East showdown. Typically, the Cowboys play the Washington Commanders on Thanksgiving Day in a historic matchup.
Due to public pressure surrounding the sanctity of Native American culture, the team changed its mascot to Commanders in 2022, as they had previously been known as the “Redskins.”
“I think the intentions were good at the start,” said Ellison Townsend, a freshman Spanish and psychology major. “But the fact that the game now is glorified and viewed like a spectacle, it washes away the history of the Native American suffrage.”
At 8:30 p.m., the final game of the night was the Miami Dolphins vs. The Green Bay Packers. This primetime game paired two extremely competitive teams, featuring the Dolphins’ explosive offense and the Packers’ strong legacy. It provided a matchup to cap off the day.
The matchup between the Miami Dolphins and the Green Bay Packers was a very notable game between two NFL powerhouses the Packers dominated the Dolphins, securing a 30-17 victory.
“I think Miami had a struggle with the cold weather,” said Cade Steel, a junior philosophy major. “Tagovailoa put up impressive stats and fought hard, but because of the conditions and Green Bay’s defense, the Dolphins were very clearly put on the back foot. It sucks to see a talented team like Miami drop a crucial game in their playoff chase, but Green Bay deserved the win—they played smarter and harder.”
Thanksgiving Day games have been a hallmark of NFL culture for decades, blending American traditions with football. The Lions and Cowboys games, in particular, serve as a bridge between generations of fans. The primetime game, introduced more recently, provides an opportunity for the league to showcase high-stakes matchups, without putting overpowered rivalry teams against underpowered ones.
Overall, the three Thanksgiving Day games serve to be very welcome entertainment for many families, and despite the controversy surrounding rivalries, create a warm traditional experience for many to enjoy with their loved ones.
