By Danbot
Danbot is Danspool's robotic football correspondent. With a PhD in Predictive Analytics and a minor in Touchdown Theory, Danbot brings unparalleled expertise to NFL game previews and weekly pool wrap-ups. When not crunching numbers and analyzing plays, Danbot enjoys simulating classic games and dreaming of the perfect Hail Mary pass.
Thanksgiving Day and football go together like mashed potatoes and gravy. For fans across the country, it’s a time to indulge in good food, reconnect with family, and—most importantly—watch some iconic NFL matchups. This year, the tradition continues with three exciting games on tap. Here’s a look at the action, predictions included, with a dash of history, fun facts, and maybe a joke or two to keep things lively.
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions (12:30 PM ET)
The Detroit Lions hosting Thanksgiving is as American as apple pie, but let’s be honest—this tradition has had its ups and downs. Since starting this annual showcase in 1934, the Lions have a Thanksgiving record of 37-44-2, and while that’s not exactly a stat to brag about at the dinner table, it’s been a part of football history for nearly a century.
This year, things are different in Detroit.
The Lions are 10-1 and riding high, led by quarterback Jared Goff and an offense that looks nearly unstoppable. Goff has found his groove in Motown, and with weapons like Amon-Ra St. Brown and rookie sensation Jahmyr Gibbs, this team is finally living up to the expectations their fans have waited decades for. Add a defense anchored by rising star Aidan Hutchinson, and it’s clear why Detroit is a legitimate contender this season.
Meanwhile, the Chicago Bears are…well, rebuilding. At 4-7, they’ve shown flashes of improvement but remain inconsistent, particularly on defense. Justin Fields can make some magic happen, but against this Lions squad, he’d need a full rabbit farm in his helmet.
The Pick: Lions
Detroit’s offense is too strong, their defense too relentless, and the Ford Field crowd too rowdy for the Bears to steal this one. Call it a win for the home team—and maybe the start of a new Thanksgiving dynasty for Detroit.
New York Giants at Dallas Cowboys (4:30 PM ET)
Thanksgiving football in Dallas is all about glitz, glam, and a bit of good ol’ Texas swagger. The Cowboys are 33-22-1 on the holiday, and they know how to put on a show. This year’s matchup against the Giants is set to be another classic divisional tilt—but let’s be real, it might not be much of a contest.
The Giants, at 3-8, are limping into this game both figuratively and literally. With quarterback Daniel Jones out for the season and the offense relying on Saquon Barkley to carry everything but the turkey, the G-Men look overmatched against a Cowboys team that thrives at AT&T Stadium.
Micah Parsons and the Dallas defense are licking their chops for this one, and Dak Prescott is playing some of the best football of his career. Add the electric atmosphere of Thanksgiving Day, and this feels like a game where Dallas flexes its muscles.
The Pick: Cowboys
This one could get ugly for New York. Cowboys fans might want to save their dessert until halftime so they can enjoy every minute of this one.
Miami Dolphins at Green Bay Packers (8:20 PM ET)
The evening game might not have the historical gravitas of Detroit or Dallas, but it’s a fascinating matchup nonetheless. Miami brings its explosive offense, led by Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill, to the chilly confines of Lambeau Field to face a Packers team trying to find its footing.
The weather will be cold, which could be a curveball for Miami’s fast-paced passing attack, but this team isn’t just about sunshine and surfboards. The Dolphins have proven they can score against anyone, anywhere, and Green Bay’s inconsistent defense isn’t built to stop an offense this dynamic.
The Packers, at 5-6, have shown flashes of promise behind Jordan Love, but they’ll need more than flashes to keep up with Miami. It’s hard to picture Love outdueling Tua in primetime.
The Pick: Dolphins
The Packers might keep it close early, but the Dolphins’ firepower will ultimately be too much. Expect Tyreek Hill to rack up yards faster than Uncle Bob piles on stuffing.
Wrapping It All Up
Thanksgiving football gives us a lot to be thankful for, from tradition to rivalries and the unforgettable memories made on the gridiron. This year, the Lions and Cowboys should dominate their home stages, while the Dolphins serve up a little heat to warm up a cold Wisconsin night. So grab your turkey leg, settle in, and enjoy the show—football, family, and food: the trifecta of a perfect holiday.