Do-the-Eagles-Play-on-Thanksgiving?
Do-the-Eagles-Play-on-Thanksgiving?

Do the Eagles Play on Thanksgiving?:Uncover the Truth

Do the Eagles Play on Thanksgiving? While the Cowboys and Lions are Thanksgiving staples, the Eagles have a limited history on the holiday. Factors like scheduling and fan popularity influence their absence, but fan demand could change that in the future.

Do-the-Eagles-Play-on-Thanksgiving?
Do-the-Eagles-Play-on-Thanksgiving?

A Brief History of Thanksgiving Football

A-Brief-History-of-Thanksgiving-Football
A-Brief-History-of-Thanksgiving-Football

The NFL’s Thanksgiving Day Tradition

The NFL’s association with Thanksgiving dates back to the 1920s, but it wasn’t until the 1960s that the tradition of three games on the holiday became solidified. This annual event has become a cornerstone of the NFL’s schedule, drawing millions of viewers each year.  

2023 Thanksgiving Day games set viewership record

CategoryDetails
Total Average Viewership (TV+Digital)34.1 million (highest Thanksgiving Day average on record)
Previous Record33.6 million (last year)
Total Unduplicated Audience133 million (second-highest Thanksgiving Day total audience on record)
Late Afternoon GameCommanders vs. Cowboys on CBS
Average Viewership for Late Afternoon Game41.8 million (second most-watched NFL regular season game on record)
Previous Record for Late Afternoon GameLast year’s Cowboys vs. Giants game
Early GamePackers vs. Lions on FOX
Average Viewership for Early Game33.7 million (most-watched early Thanksgiving Day game on record)
Prime-Time Game49ers vs. Seahawks on NBC
Average Viewership for Prime-Time Game26.9 million (highest prime-time Thanksgiving game since 2015)
Prime-Time Game RecordSecond-highest since NBC began broadcasting Thanksgiving Day primetime games in 2012
2023 Thanksgiving Day games set viewership record

1. 2023 Thanksgiving Day games set viewership record – NFL.com

www.nfl.com

Who Plays on Thanksgiving This Year?

GameTeamsTime (ET)NetworkDescription
Game 1Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions12:30 p.m.FOXAnnual Thanksgiving matchup for the Lions
Game 2Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys4:30 p.m.CBSAnnual Thanksgiving game for the Cowboys
Game 3 (Prime-Time)(Not specified)(Not specified)NBCPart of the Sunday Night Football broadcast

The Cowboys and Lions: Thanksgiving Staples

Two teams have held a near-monopoly on Thanksgiving football: the Dallas Cowboys and the Detroit Lions. Their consistent appearances on the holiday have made them synonymous with the tradition.  

The-Cowboys-and-Lions-Thanksgiving-Staples
The-Cowboys-and-Lions-Thanksgiving-Staples

1. NFL on Thanksgiving Day – Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Thanksgiving Day records of defunct teams

TeamWinsLossesTiesWin Pct.Other Names Appeared Under
Frankford Yellow Jackets201Defunct (1931)
New York Yankees*201Defunct (1949)
Pottsville Maroons201Defunct (1928)
Boston Yanks101Defunct (1948)
Buffalo Bills*101Defunct (1949), unrelated to current NFL team with this name
Dallas Texans101Defunct (1952), does not count AFL’s Dallas Texans, which are now the Kansas City Chiefs
Los Angeles Buccaneers101Defunct (1926)
Oorang Indians101Defunct (1923)
Rock Island Independents101Defunct (1925)
All-Tonawanda Lumberjacks101Defunct (1921)
Akron Pros3110.7Defunct (1926)
Buffalo Bisons1110.5Buffalo All-Americans (1920–1923), Defunct (1929)
Canton Bulldogs1110.5Defunct (1926)
Cleveland Bulldogs110.5Defunct (1927)
Dayton Triangles110.5Defunct (1929)
Kansas City Cowboys110.5Kansas City Blues (1924), Defunct (1926)
Milwaukee Badgers110.5Defunct (1926)
Brooklyn Lions010Defunct (1926)
Chicago Tigers010Defunct (1920)
Detroit Heralds010Defunct (1920)
New York Yanks010Defunct (1950)
Providence Steam Roller010Defunct (1931)
Racine Legion110.5Defunct (1926)
Toledo Maroons010Defunct (1923)
Brooklyn Dodgers*020Defunct (1949)
Chicago Hornets*020Chicago Rockets (1946–1948), Defunct (1949)
Columbus Panhandles020Defunct (1926)
Detroit Panthers020Defunct (1926)
Hammond Pros020Defunct (1926)
Rochester Jeffersons020Defunct (1925)
Los Angeles Dons*030Merged with Los Angeles Rams after 1949 season
Thanksgiving Day records of defunct teams

The Eagles and Thanksgiving: A Different Story

The Eagles’ Thanksgiving Game History

Unlike their NFC East rivals, the Eagles have a much more limited history on Thanksgiving. They’ve only played a handful of games on the holiday, with mixed results.

The-Eagles-and-Thanksgiving A-Different-Story
The-Eagles-and-Thanksgiving A-Different-Story

Early Thanksgiving Victories

The Eagles enjoyed some early success on Thanksgiving, winning their first few games. 1 This brief period of dominance has added a layer of intrigue to the question of why they don’t play more often.  

Every NFL team’s record on Thanksgiving

TeamRecord
Arizona Cardinals6-15-2
Atlanta Falcons1-3
Baltimore Ravens2-0
Buffalo Bills5-4-2001
Carolina Panthers1-0
Chicago Bears20-15-2
Cincinnati Bengals0-1
Cleveland Browns3-3
Dallas Cowboys31-22-1
Denver Broncos4-7
Detroit Lions37-43-2
Green Bay Packers14-20-2
Houston Texans2-0
Indianapolis Colts2-1-2001
Kansas City Chiefs5-5
Las Vegas Raiders4-4
Los Angeles Chargers3-1-2001
Los Angeles Rams4-1
Miami Dolphins5-2
Minnesota Vikings6-2
New England Patriots3-2
New Orleans Saints3-1
New York Giants7-5-2003
New York Jets4-4
Philadelphia Eagles6-1
Pittsburgh Steelers2-6
San Francisco 49ers3-2-2001
Seattle Seahawks2-2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers0-1
Tennessee Titans5-2
Washington Commanders4-8
Every NFL team’s record on Thanksgiving

1. Every NFL team’s record in Thanksgiving games – NBC Sports Philadelphia

Source icon

www.nbcsportsphiladelphia.com

The Thanksgiving Day Drought

Following those early victories, the Eagles experienced a long drought without a Thanksgiving game. This absence from the holiday lineup has contributed to the ongoing mystery surrounding their Thanksgiving status.

Why Don’t the Eagles Play on Thanksgiving?

Scheduling Conflicts

The NFL has a complex scheduling process, and various factors influence which teams play on Thanksgiving. The league prioritizes matchups that are expected to generate high ratings, and the Eagles may not always fit that criteria.

Fan Preferences

While there’s undoubtedly a passionate fanbase for the Eagles, their overall popularity compared to teams like the Cowboys and Lions might play a role in the decision-making process. The NFL aims to maximize viewership, and fan preferences are a crucial factor.  

1. Creating the NFL Schedule – NFL Football Operations

operations.nfl.com

Could the Eagles Play on Thanksgiving in the Future?

Potential Changes to the NFL Schedule

The NFL is constantly evaluating its schedule, and changes are always possible. As viewership trends evolve and teams rise and fall in popularity, the Thanksgiving lineup could be adjusted.  

1. National Football League Scheduling – Gurobi Optimization

www.gurobi.com

Fan Demand and Impact

Ultimately, fan demand can influence the NFL’s decisions. If Eagles fans make their voices heard and demonstrate a strong desire to see their team play on Thanksgiving, it could increase the chances of the Eagles returning to the holiday spotlight.

Conclusion

While the Philadelphia Eagles have a winning record on Thanksgiving, their appearances on the holiday have been sporadic. Several factors, including scheduling conflicts and fan preferences, contribute to their absence from the traditional Thanksgiving lineup. However, with potential changes to the NFL schedule and the power of fan demand, there’s always a possibility of seeing the Eagles back on the gridiron on Turkey Day.

FAQs: Do the Eagles Play on Thanksgiving?

General Questions

  • Do the Eagles always play on Thanksgiving?

 No, unlike the Cowboys and Lions, the Eagles do not have a consistent Thanksgiving game. They’ve only played a few times throughout their history.

  • Why don’t the Eagles play on Thanksgiving more often? 

Several factors contribute to this, including scheduling conflicts, the NFL’s focus on high-rated matchups, and overall fan popularity compared to other teams.

Eagles’ Thanksgiving History

  • What is the Eagles’ record on Thanksgiving?

 The Eagles have a surprisingly good record on Thanksgiving, with a winning percentage higher than many teams that have played more frequently.

  • When was the last time the Eagles played on Thanksgiving?

The Eagles last played on Thanksgiving in 2015, where they unfortunately lost to the Lions.

Future Possibilities

  • Could the Eagles play on Thanksgiving in the future?

It’s possible. The NFL schedule is subject to change, and if fan demand is strong enough, the Eagles could return to the Thanksgiving lineup.

  • How can fans increase the chances of the Eagles playing on Thanksgiving?

Making their voices heard through social media, attending games, and showing strong support for the team can influence the NFL’s decision-making process.

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