NFL on Thanksgiving: Here's the one team to never play on the holiday Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAYNovember 27, 2025 at 6:05 AM 0 NFL on Thanksgiving: Here's the one team to never play on the holiday Life is full of iconic combinations. Peanut butter and jelly, burgers and fries, rice and beans. This week offers one of the best combinations of the year: Thanksgiving and football. Millions of Americans will gather around the television with plates piled high with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and more to watch a tripleheader of NFL action on the holiday.
- - NFL on Thanksgiving: Here's the one team to never play on the holiday
Ayrton Ostly, USA TODAYNovember 27, 2025 at 6:05 AM
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NFL on Thanksgiving: Here's the one team to never play on the holiday
Life is full of iconic combinations. Peanut butter and jelly, burgers and fries, rice and beans.
This week offers one of the best combinations of the year: Thanksgiving and football. Millions of Americans will gather around the television with plates piled high with turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, gravy and more to watch a tripleheader of NFL action on the holiday.
Thanksgiving this year features two mainstays on the holiday: the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys. Those teams have played on Thanksgiving for decades and racked up more matchups than the other franchises.
The Lions keep things in-division this year with a Thanksgiving contest against NFC North foe Green Bay to open the day's slate. This is the third consecutive year the Packers have played on Thanksgiving; they beat Detroit in 2023 and Miami last year on the holiday.
Dallas is next up on the schedule and will host the Kansas City Chiefs. This marks the Thanksgiving debut of two-time NFL MVP Patrick Mahomes as the Chiefs suit up on the holiday for the first time with him at quarterback.
Another two-time MVP quarterback makes his Thanksgiving debut to round out the action as Lamar Jackson's Baltimore Ravens host the Cincinnati Bengals. This year marks just the second time the Bengals have played on Thanksgiving in their franchise's history.
With the Bengals hitting that mark, it's worth wondering: which NFL teams have never played on Thanksgiving? Here's what to know.
23-20 win against the Chicago Bears with a turkey drumstick at Ford Field on Nov. 28, 2024. The celebration was made possible by some highly questionable clock management by Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. A day later, Eberflus was fired by the Bears, the first in-season firing of a head coach in franchise history.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>Detroit Lions players celebrate their 23-20 win against the Chicago Bears with a turkey drumstick at Ford Field on Nov. 28, 2024. The celebration was made possible by some highly questionable clock management by Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. A day later, Eberflus was fired by the Bears, the first in-season firing of a head coach in franchise history.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/9Y0QZtO class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL's Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments" data-caption="
Detroit Lions players celebrate their 23-20 win against the Chicago Bears with a turkey drumstick at Ford Field on Nov. 28, 2024. The celebration was made possible by some highly questionable clock management by Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. A day later, Eberflus was fired by the Bears, the first in-season firing of a head coach in franchise history.
">Detroit Lions players celebrate their 23-20 win against the Chicago Bears with a turkey drumstick at Ford Field on Nov. 28, 2024. The celebration was made possible by some highly questionable clock management by Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. A day later, Eberflus was fired by the Bears, the first in-season firing of a head coach in franchise history.
" src=https://ift.tt/9Y0QZtO class=caas-img>Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott poses with the Galloping Gobbler trophy after the win over Washington at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Nov 24, 2016. The Cowboys won the game, 31-26. Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott put on an offensive showcase.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/gc5znYw class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL's Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments" data-caption="
Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott poses with the Galloping Gobbler trophy after the win over Washington at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Nov 24, 2016. The Cowboys won the game, 31-26. Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott put on an offensive showcase.
">Dallas Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott poses with the Galloping Gobbler trophy after the win over Washington at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas on Nov 24, 2016. The Cowboys won the game, 31-26. Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott put on an offensive showcase.
" src=https://ift.tt/gc5znYw class=caas-img>causing Jones to avoid the Steelers coach along the sideline. Instead of a touchdown, Jones was tackled after a 73-yard return. The Ravens went on to win the game, 22-20.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>During a Thanksgiving Day game in 2013, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin got into the action. The Baltimore Ravens' Jacoby Jones broke free on a kickoff return, but Tomlin stepped onto the field, causing Jones to avoid the Steelers coach along the sideline. Instead of a touchdown, Jones was tackled after a 73-yard return. The Ravens went on to win the game, 22-20.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/2kpHxNf class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL's Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments" data-caption="
During a Thanksgiving Day game in 2013, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin got into the action. The Baltimore Ravens' Jacoby Jones broke free on a kickoff return, but Tomlin stepped onto the field, causing Jones to avoid the Steelers coach along the sideline. Instead of a touchdown, Jones was tackled after a 73-yard return. The Ravens went on to win the game, 22-20.
">During a Thanksgiving Day game in 2013, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin got into the action. The Baltimore Ravens' Jacoby Jones broke free on a kickoff return, but Tomlin stepped onto the field, causing Jones to avoid the Steelers coach along the sideline. Instead of a touchdown, Jones was tackled after a 73-yard return. The Ravens went on to win the game, 22-20.
" src=https://ift.tt/2kpHxNf class=caas-img>"The Butt Fumble."
" style=padding-bottom:56%>New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez collides with the backside of lineman Brandon Moore and fumbles the ball. It was recovered and returned for a touchdown by the New England Patriots' Steve Gregory. The play was part of a disastrous sequence for the Jets, who lost three fumbles as the Patriots scored three touchdowns in 52 seconds. New England went on to win 49-19, and Sanchez's infamous moment from the 2012 game is known as "The Butt Fumble."
" data-src=https://ift.tt/2ns3c6Y class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL's Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments" data-caption="
New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez collides with the backside of lineman Brandon Moore and fumbles the ball. It was recovered and returned for a touchdown by the New England Patriots' Steve Gregory. The play was part of a disastrous sequence for the Jets, who lost three fumbles as the Patriots scored three touchdowns in 52 seconds. New England went on to win 49-19, and Sanchez's infamous moment from the 2012 game is known as "The Butt Fumble."
">New York Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez collides with the backside of lineman Brandon Moore and fumbles the ball. It was recovered and returned for a touchdown by the New England Patriots' Steve Gregory. The play was part of a disastrous sequence for the Jets, who lost three fumbles as the Patriots scored three touchdowns in 52 seconds. New England went on to win 49-19, and Sanchez's infamous moment from the 2012 game is known as "The Butt Fumble."
" src=https://ift.tt/2ns3c6Y class=caas-img>Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo celebrates a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter NFL action in Irving, Texas Nov. 23, 2006. In a breakout game, Romo threw for 306 yards and five TDs.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/HIWG3SU class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL's Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments" data-caption="
Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo celebrates a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter NFL action in Irving, Texas Nov. 23, 2006. In a breakout game, Romo threw for 306 yards and five TDs.
">Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo celebrates a touchdown against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the third quarter NFL action in Irving, Texas Nov. 23, 2006. In a breakout game, Romo threw for 306 yards and five TDs.
" src=https://ift.tt/HIWG3SU class=caas-img>On his way to 49 touchdown passes for the season, Peyton Manning put six on the board in the Indianapolis Colts' masterful 41-9 win over the Detroit Lions. Manning went 23-of-28 for 236 yards and six touchdowns before being pulled near the end of third quarter in 2004.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/BFTV9fj class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL's Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments" data-caption="
On his way to 49 touchdown passes for the season, Peyton Manning put six on the board in the Indianapolis Colts' masterful 41-9 win over the Detroit Lions. Manning went 23-of-28 for 236 yards and six touchdowns before being pulled near the end of third quarter in 2004.
">On his way to 49 touchdown passes for the season, Peyton Manning put six on the board in the Indianapolis Colts' masterful 41-9 win over the Detroit Lions. Manning went 23-of-28 for 236 yards and six touchdowns before being pulled near the end of third quarter in 2004.
" src=https://ift.tt/BFTV9fj class=caas-img>Randy Moss added another tally to his incredible rookie year in in the Minnesota Vikings' 46-36 win over the Dallas Cowboys, catching three touchdown passes for 163 yards in 1998.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/f6HewZ8 class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL's Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments" data-caption="
Randy Moss added another tally to his incredible rookie year in in the Minnesota Vikings' 46-36 win over the Dallas Cowboys, catching three touchdown passes for 163 yards in 1998.
">Randy Moss added another tally to his incredible rookie year in in the Minnesota Vikings' 46-36 win over the Dallas Cowboys, catching three touchdown passes for 163 yards in 1998.
" src=https://ift.tt/f6HewZ8 class=caas-img>With the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers headed to overtime, referee Phil Luckett's microphone caught Pittsburgh captain Jerome Bettis calling "tails" on the coin toss. Despite the toss coming up tails, Luckett claimed Detroit won the toss. The Lions opted to receive the kickoff and scored a field goal on the first possession to win the game in 1998.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/NVW60Zo class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL's Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments" data-caption="
With the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers headed to overtime, referee Phil Luckett's microphone caught Pittsburgh captain Jerome Bettis calling "tails" on the coin toss. Despite the toss coming up tails, Luckett claimed Detroit won the toss. The Lions opted to receive the kickoff and scored a field goal on the first possession to win the game in 1998.
">With the Detroit Lions and Pittsburgh Steelers headed to overtime, referee Phil Luckett's microphone caught Pittsburgh captain Jerome Bettis calling "tails" on the coin toss. Despite the toss coming up tails, Luckett claimed Detroit won the toss. The Lions opted to receive the kickoff and scored a field goal on the first possession to win the game in 1998.
" src=https://ift.tt/NVW60Zo class=caas-img>Hall of Famer Barry Sanders ran for 167 yards and three touchdowns as the Detroit Lions obliterated the Chicago Bears, 55-20, in 1997. Sanders moved into second place on the NFL's all-time rushing yardage list during the game.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/YnSo6GF class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL's Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments" data-caption="
Hall of Famer Barry Sanders ran for 167 yards and three touchdowns as the Detroit Lions obliterated the Chicago Bears, 55-20, in 1997. Sanders moved into second place on the NFL's all-time rushing yardage list during the game.
">Hall of Famer Barry Sanders ran for 167 yards and three touchdowns as the Detroit Lions obliterated the Chicago Bears, 55-20, in 1997. Sanders moved into second place on the NFL's all-time rushing yardage list during the game.
" src=https://ift.tt/YnSo6GF class=caas-img>giving the Dolphins a 16-14 victory.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>The Dallas Cowboys' Leon Lett dives for a blocked fourth-quarter field goal attempt as Bert Weidner of the Miami Dolphins scrambles for the ball on Nov. 25, 1993, in Irving, Texas. The live ball was recovered by Jeff Dellenbach of the Dolphins. Miami kicker Pete Stoyanovich then made the winning 19-yard field goal as time expired giving the Dolphins a 16-14 victory.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/NCSa3Bm class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL's Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments" data-caption="
The Dallas Cowboys' Leon Lett dives for a blocked fourth-quarter field goal attempt as Bert Weidner of the Miami Dolphins scrambles for the ball on Nov. 25, 1993, in Irving, Texas. The live ball was recovered by Jeff Dellenbach of the Dolphins. Miami kicker Pete Stoyanovich then made the winning 19-yard field goal as time expired giving the Dolphins a 16-14 victory.
">The Dallas Cowboys' Leon Lett dives for a blocked fourth-quarter field goal attempt as Bert Weidner of the Miami Dolphins scrambles for the ball on Nov. 25, 1993, in Irving, Texas. The live ball was recovered by Jeff Dellenbach of the Dolphins. Miami kicker Pete Stoyanovich then made the winning 19-yard field goal as time expired giving the Dolphins a 16-14 victory.
" src=https://ift.tt/NCSa3Bm class=caas-img>
Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson rushed for an NFL record 273 yards against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, Nov 25, 1976 in Pontiac, Michigan.
" data-src=https://ift.tt/EuNLG9O class=caas-img data-headline="From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL's Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments" data-caption="
Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson rushed for an NFL record 273 yards against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, Nov 25, 1976 in Pontiac, Michigan.
">Buffalo Bills running back O.J. Simpson rushed for an NFL record 273 yards against the Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving, Nov 25, 1976 in Pontiac, Michigan.
" src=https://ift.tt/EuNLG9O class=caas-img>
1 / 12From 'Butt Fumbles' to Barry Sanders: NFL's Most unforgettable Thanksgiving moments
Detroit Lions players celebrate their 23-20 win against the Chicago Bears with a turkey drumstick at Ford Field on Nov. 28, 2024. The celebration was made possible by some highly questionable clock management by Bears head coach Matt Eberflus. A day later, Eberflus was fired by the Bears, the first in-season firing of a head coach in franchise history.
Have any NFL teams never played on Thanksgiving?
Yes, the Jacksonville Jaguars are the only active franchise without a game played on Thanksgiving. The franchise's 31-year history includes no games on either Thanksgiving or Christmas Day.
Three teams have played in one game on Thanksgiving prior to this year: Carolina (2015), Cincinnati (2010) and Tampa Bay (2006). The Bengals leave that group behind with their game against the Ravens this year.
NFL team Thanksgiving records -
Arizona Cardinals: 6-15-2
Atlanta Falcons: 1-3
Baltimore Ravens: 2-0
Buffalo Bills: 6-4-1
Carolina Panthers: 1-0
Chicago Bears: 20-16-2
Cincinnati Bengals: 0-1
Cleveland Browns: 0-3
Dallas Cowboys: 34-22-1
Denver Broncos: 4-7
Detroit Lions: 38-45-2
Green Bay Packers: 16-20-2
Houston Texans: 2-0
Indianapolis Colts: 2-1-1
Jacksonville Jaguars: 0-0
Kansas City Chiefs: 5-5
Las Vegas Raiders: 4-4
Los Angeles Chargers: 3-1-1
Los Angeles Rams: 4-1
Miami Dolphins: 5-3
Minnesota Vikings: 7-2
New England Patriots: 3-3
New Orleans Saints: 3-1
New York Giants: 7-7-3
New York Jets: 4-4
Philadelphia Eagles: 6-1
Pittsburgh Steelers: 2-6
San Francisco 49ers: 3-2-1
Seattle Seahawks: 2-3
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 0-1
Tennessee Titans: 5-2
Washington Commanders: 4-9
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Thanksgiving: Which team has never played on the holiday?
Source: "AOL Sports"
Source: Sports
Published: November 27, 2025 at 01:27PM on Source: ANDY MAG
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