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.

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
Category | Details |
Total Average Viewership (TV+Digital) | 34.1 million (highest Thanksgiving Day average on record) |
Previous Record | 33.6 million (last year) |
Total Unduplicated Audience | 133 million (second-highest Thanksgiving Day total audience on record) |
Late Afternoon Game | Commanders vs. Cowboys on CBS |
Average Viewership for Late Afternoon Game | 41.8 million (second most-watched NFL regular season game on record) |
Previous Record for Late Afternoon Game | Last year’s Cowboys vs. Giants game |
Early Game | Packers vs. Lions on FOX |
Average Viewership for Early Game | 33.7 million (most-watched early Thanksgiving Day game on record) |
Prime-Time Game | 49ers vs. Seahawks on NBC |
Average Viewership for Prime-Time Game | 26.9 million (highest prime-time Thanksgiving game since 2015) |
Prime-Time Game Record | Second-highest since NBC began broadcasting Thanksgiving Day primetime games in 2012 |
1. 2023 Thanksgiving Day games set viewership record – NFL.com
Who Plays on Thanksgiving This Year?
Game | Teams | Time (ET) | Network | Description |
Game 1 | Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions | 12:30 p.m. | FOX | Annual Thanksgiving matchup for the Lions |
Game 2 | Washington Commanders vs. Dallas Cowboys | 4:30 p.m. | CBS | Annual Thanksgiving game for the Cowboys |
Game 3 (Prime-Time) | (Not specified) | (Not specified) | NBC | Part 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.

1. NFL on Thanksgiving Day – Wikipedia
Thanksgiving Day records of defunct teams
Team | Wins | Losses | Ties | Win Pct. | Other Names Appeared Under |
Frankford Yellow Jackets | 2 | 0 | 1 | Defunct (1931) | |
New York Yankees* | 2 | 0 | 1 | Defunct (1949) | |
Pottsville Maroons | 2 | 0 | 1 | Defunct (1928) | |
Boston Yanks | 1 | 0 | 1 | Defunct (1948) | |
Buffalo Bills* | 1 | 0 | 1 | Defunct (1949), unrelated to current NFL team with this name | |
Dallas Texans | 1 | 0 | 1 | Defunct (1952), does not count AFL’s Dallas Texans, which are now the Kansas City Chiefs | |
Los Angeles Buccaneers | 1 | 0 | 1 | Defunct (1926) | |
Oorang Indians | 1 | 0 | 1 | Defunct (1923) | |
Rock Island Independents | 1 | 0 | 1 | Defunct (1925) | |
All-Tonawanda Lumberjacks | 1 | 0 | 1 | Defunct (1921) | |
Akron Pros | 3 | 1 | 1 | 0.7 | Defunct (1926) |
Buffalo Bisons | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | Buffalo All-Americans (1920–1923), Defunct (1929) |
Canton Bulldogs | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | Defunct (1926) |
Cleveland Bulldogs | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | Defunct (1927) | |
Dayton Triangles | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | Defunct (1929) | |
Kansas City Cowboys | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | Kansas City Blues (1924), Defunct (1926) | |
Milwaukee Badgers | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | Defunct (1926) | |
Brooklyn Lions | 0 | 1 | 0 | Defunct (1926) | |
Chicago Tigers | 0 | 1 | 0 | Defunct (1920) | |
Detroit Heralds | 0 | 1 | 0 | Defunct (1920) | |
New York Yanks | 0 | 1 | 0 | Defunct (1950) | |
Providence Steam Roller | 0 | 1 | 0 | Defunct (1931) | |
Racine Legion | 1 | 1 | 0.5 | Defunct (1926) | |
Toledo Maroons | 0 | 1 | 0 | Defunct (1923) | |
Brooklyn Dodgers* | 0 | 2 | 0 | Defunct (1949) | |
Chicago Hornets* | 0 | 2 | 0 | Chicago Rockets (1946–1948), Defunct (1949) | |
Columbus Panhandles | 0 | 2 | 0 | Defunct (1926) | |
Detroit Panthers | 0 | 2 | 0 | Defunct (1926) | |
Hammond Pros | 0 | 2 | 0 | Defunct (1926) | |
Rochester Jeffersons | 0 | 2 | 0 | Defunct (1925) | |
Los Angeles Dons* | 0 | 3 | 0 | Merged with Los Angeles Rams after 1949 season |
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.

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
Team | Record |
Arizona Cardinals | 6-15-2 |
Atlanta Falcons | 1-3 |
Baltimore Ravens | 2-0 |
Buffalo Bills | 5-4-2001 |
Carolina Panthers | 1-0 |
Chicago Bears | 20-15-2 |
Cincinnati Bengals | 0-1 |
Cleveland Browns | 3-3 |
Dallas Cowboys | 31-22-1 |
Denver Broncos | 4-7 |
Detroit Lions | 37-43-2 |
Green Bay Packers | 14-20-2 |
Houston Texans | 2-0 |
Indianapolis Colts | 2-1-2001 |
Kansas City Chiefs | 5-5 |
Las Vegas Raiders | 4-4 |
Los Angeles Chargers | 3-1-2001 |
Los Angeles Rams | 4-1 |
Miami Dolphins | 5-2 |
Minnesota Vikings | 6-2 |
New England Patriots | 3-2 |
New Orleans Saints | 3-1 |
New York Giants | 7-5-2003 |
New York Jets | 4-4 |
Philadelphia Eagles | 6-1 |
Pittsburgh Steelers | 2-6 |
San Francisco 49ers | 3-2-2001 |
Seattle Seahawks | 2-2 |
Tampa Bay Buccaneers | 0-1 |
Tennessee Titans | 5-2 |
Washington Commanders | 4-8 |
1. Every NFL team’s record in Thanksgiving games – NBC Sports Philadelphia
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
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
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.