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Thanksgiving NFL Football Schedule: Lions vs. Bears & More

nfl, detroit lions, bears

For generations of Americans, the tradition of Thanksgiving Day and NFL football are historically intertwined.

On Thanksgiving in 1925, a crowd of 36,000 – then the largest in professional football history – watched the CHICAGO BEARS play the CHICAGO CARDINALS to a scoreless tie at Wrigley Field.

In 1934, the Detroit Lions and the defending world champion Bears squared off on Thanksgiving in the first NFL game nationally broadcast, with NBC radio on the call.

This year, the three holiday games will be played inside stadiums with a combined capacity of more than 215,000 and will be aired to millions across the country and around the world. The 2019 installment of Thanksgiving Day football will feature a tripleheader for the 14th consecutive season.

The first game showcases a battle of NFC North rivals as the CHICAGO BEARS travel to Ford Field to face the DETROIT LIONS (12:30 PM ET, FOX).

The late afternoon game marks the 42nd consecutive Thanksgiving Day contest hosted in Dallas, as the DALLAS COWBOYS welcome the BUFFALO BILLS to AT&T Stadium (4:30 PM ET, CBS).

The holiday concludes at Mercedes-Benz Stadium as the ATLANTA FALCONS welcome the NEW ORLEANS SAINTS in the 101st regular-season meeting between the NFC South rivals (8:20 PM ET, NBC).

GAME

NETWORK

LOCAL TIME

EASTERN TIME

Chicago Bears (5-6) at Detroit Lions (3-7-1)

FOX

12:30 PM ET

12:30 PM

Buffalo Bills (8-3) at Dallas Cowboys (6-5)

CBS

3:30 PM CT

4:30 PM

New Orleans Saints (9-2) at Atlanta Falcons (3-8)

NBC

8:20 PM ET

8:20 PM

The Lions will play their 80th Thanksgiving Day game dating back to 1934, while the Cowboys will play in their 52nd since 1966. The Bears and Bills will play in their 36th and ninth games, respectively, on the holiday. The Falcons will play in their fourth and the Saints will play in their third Thanksgiving game.

For the Thanksgiving all-time leaders and memorable moments, click here​.

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