The 2025 NFL Thanksgiving slate is absolutely loaded, offering fans three electric matchups to enjoy during the holiday. The day features a classic divisional rivalry, a cross-conference meeting, and another inter-divisional showdown. Here’s a closer look at who’s playing, where each game will be held, when they kick off, and what to expect from all three contests on Thursday.
Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers | 1:00 p.m. EST
The holiday begins with an NFC North matchup featuring the 7-3-1 Packers hosting the 7-4 Lions. Thanksgiving football has long been a Detroit tradition, and this year marks the Lions’ 86th appearance on the holiday.
It is also the 23rd Thanksgiving meeting between these two franchises, with Detroit holding a slight 12-9-1 edge in the series. Both teams enter Thursday separated by less than a game in the standings, with Green Bay currently holding the sixth seed in the NFC and the Lions just outside the playoff picture.
The Packers dominated the season opener, beating Detroit 27-13 back in Week 1. Twelve weeks later, both teams have evolved, and the stakes are higher than ever. This matchup should paint a clear picture of where each team truly stands heading into the final stretch of the season.
Kansas City Chiefs at Dallas Cowboys | 4:25 p.m. EST
The afternoon window features two of the league’s most iconic franchises as the Cowboys host the Chiefs. Like Detroit, Dallas is no stranger to Thanksgiving, entering its 58th appearance. Kansas City has only played the Cowboys on this holiday once, a 1995 meeting that ended in a Dallas win.
Both teams enter Thursday’s game fighting to stay in the playoff race. The Cowboys improved to 5-5-1 after a statement win over the Philadelphia Eagles. At the same time, the Chiefs moved to 6-5 after a big overtime win over the Indianapolis Colts. Each team currently stands “in the hunt” in its respective conference, with potential to climb the ladder.
Having Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs (#4Â Offense Impact per PFSN) on one side, and Dak Prescott and the Cowboys (#3Â Offense Impact per PFSN) on the other, this matchup has the potential to be one of the most-watched games in NFL history.
Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens | 8:20 p.m. EST
Thanksgiving night wraps up with an intense AFC North showdown between the Ravens and Bengals. Lamar Jackson and Joe Burrow will headline the matchup, and with Burrow returning from injury, Cincinnati gets its leader back at the perfect time.
While this will mark the first time the Bengals and Ravens face off on Thanksgiving, fans are already familiar with the drama these teams bring. Last season’s 35-34 Thursday night finish, for example, ended in a thrilling Ravens victory. In 2025, though, the season has been more challenging for both teams.
Baltimore enters at 6-5, still atop the division despite an inconsistent stretch. Cincinnati, meanwhile, sits at 3-8 with one of the league’s weakest defenses and has struggled without its franchise quarterback. Even though the playoff picture favors the Ravens, expect Burrow and the Bengals to play aggressively and give fans another competitive, hard-fought matchup.
