The NFL has played games on Thanksgiving since the league’s inception in 1920, meaning this tradition dates back more than 100 years. While the Detroit Lions first adopted the Thanksgiving tradition in 1934, the Dallas Cowboys joined them in 1966.
Which NFL team has the most wins on the holiday?
Which NFL Team Has the Most Wins on Thanksgiving?
Throughout NFL history, 31 of the 32 NFL teams have had at least one Thanksgiving day game. The only team not to participate in one is the Jacksonville Jaguars.
The Lions, having played the most games on Thanksgiving, have won the most… and lost the most. Their Thanksgiving day record is 37-45-2. The Cowboys have the second-most wins, with a record of 33-22-1.
The Lions’ most recent Thanksgiving win came in 2016, when they defeated the Minnesota Vikings 16-13. They are currently on a seven-game Thanksgiving losing streak.
The Cowboys’ most recent victory on Thanksgiving came just last year in 2023, when they defeated the Washington Commanders 45-10.
The Cowboys and Lions have a combined record of 70-67-3 on Thanksgiving.
After Dallas and Detroit, the teams with the most Thanksgiving wins are the Chicago Bears (20 wins) and Green Bay Packers (15 wins). Chicago is 20-15-2 on the holiday, while the Packers are 15-20-2.
Who Has the Best Winning Percentage?
Technically, the Houston Texans (2-0), Baltimore Ravens (2-0), and Carolina Panthers (1-0) have the best winning percentages, as they are perfect on the holiday.
The Panthers came away with a victory in their only appearance in 2015, while the Texans won in 2012 and 2020, and the Ravens won in 2011 and 2013.
However, of teams who have at least five Thanksgiving appearances, it’s the Philadelphia Eagles with a 6-1 record and .857 winning percentage.
Does staying home for Thanksgiving contribute to success? Not really. Home teams are 119-114-12 all-time on Thanksgiving.