Thanksgiving is a holiday for family, feasting and football. It's become an American tradition to gather around the television after the meal to watch the Thanksgiving Classic. For information on this year's Thanksgiving NFL football schedule, as well as the results of games in the years past, check out the links on the right.
A Thanksgiving Football Tradition
The tradition of pro football being played on Thanksgiving started in 1920. The Detroit Lions have been playing on Thanksgiving since 1925. 2008's Thanksgiving football match-ups include: Detroit Lions versus the Tennessee Titans, the Seattle Seahawks versus the Dallas Cowboys and the Arizona Cardinals versus the Philadelphia Eagles.
The NFL currently holds three regular-season games on Thanksgiving Day. A third game was added in 2006 and is aired on the NFL Network.Pro Football HOF: Thanksgiving Day game results
2008 Thanksgiving Day Football Schedule
Featured Video
Expert Village explains the history of football on Thanksgiving, going back to the first game in the late 1800s. The trend started with the American Intercollegiate Football Association before it was picked up by colleges and high schools. The National Football League got in on the Thanksgiving Day action in 1920 and has continued the tradition in the decades since.
Thanksgiving Day Football, the Past 10 Years
- Pro Football HOF: Thanksgiving Day game results
1998
- Detroit Lions (19) defeat Pittsburgh Steelers (16) in overtimehttp://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
- Minnesota Vikings (46) defeat Dallas Cowboys (36)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
1999
- Detroit Lions (21) defeat Chicago Bears (17)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
- Dallas Cowboys (20) defeat Miami Dolphins (0)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
2000
- Detroit Lions (34) defeat New England Patriots (9)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
- Minnesota Vikings (27) defeat Dallas Cowboys (15)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
2001
- Green Bay Packers (29) defeat Detroit Lions (27)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
- Denver Broncos (26) defeat Dallas Cowboys (24)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
2002
- New England Patriots (20) defeat Detroit Lions (12)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
- Dallas Cowboys (27) defeat Washington Redskins (20)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
2003
- Detroit Lions (22) defeat Green Bay Packers (14)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
- Miami Dolphins](40) defeat Dallas Cowboys (21)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
2004
- Indianapolis Colts (44) defeat Detroit Lions (9)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
- Dallas Cowboys (21) defeat Chicago Bears (7)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
2005
- Atlanta Falcons (27) defeat Detroit Lions (7)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
- Denver Broncos (24) defeat Dallas Cowboys (21) in overtimehttp://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
2006
- Miami Dolphins (27) defeat Detroit Lions (10)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
- Dallas Cowboys (38) defeat Tampa Bay Buccaneers (10)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
- Kansas City Chiefs (19) defeat Denver Broncos (10)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
2007
- Indianapolis Colts (31) defeat Atlanta Falcons (13)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
- Dallas Cowboys (34) defeat New York Jets (3)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx
- Green Bay Packers (37) defeat Detroit Lions (26)http://www.profootballhof.com/history/stats/thanksgiving.aspx