Thanksgiving football has always been a staple of the holiday, but this year, the NFL didn’t just deliver-it shattered records. The league served up three marquee matchups that collectively rewrote the viewership history books, with fans across the country tuning in like never before.
Chiefs vs. Cowboys: A Record-Breaking Showdown
Let’s start with the headline-grabber: Chiefs vs. Cowboys.
This game pulled in a staggering 57.2 million viewers, making it the most-watched regular-season game in NFL history. That’s not just big-it’s monumental.
And while both teams are currently fighting to stay in the playoff picture, the stakes, the star power, and the drama made for must-see TV.
The matchup had all the ingredients: two iconic franchises, playoff implications hanging in the balance, and a game that stayed tight until the final minutes. Both teams traded blows, keeping fans glued to their screens. It was the kind of game that reminded us why the NFL owns Thanksgiving-high tension, high drama, and high stakes.
Packers vs. Lions: Early Window, Massive Numbers
Before the Chiefs and Cowboys took the field, the early Thanksgiving slot saw the Packers and Lions square off in a classic NFC North rivalry. That game brought in 47.7 million viewers, making it the most-watched early Thanksgiving game ever.
Green Bay came out of the gate hot, taking an early lead. But Detroit didn’t go quietly.
Every time the Packers scored, the Lions answered right back. It was a back-and-forth affair that kept the outcome in doubt for much of the game.
That kind of competitive energy, combined with the historical weight of the rivalry, gave fans a reason to stay locked in-and it paid off in the ratings.
For the Packers, the win was more than just a notch in the W column. It had real implications in the NFC standings, especially with the division race heating up. For the Lions, it was a tough loss, but they showed resilience that kept the game compelling from start to finish.
Bengals vs. Ravens: Primetime Delivers Again
Then came the nightcap: Bengals vs. Ravens.
With 28.4 million viewers, it became the most-watched Thanksgiving night game in NFL history. And it wasn’t just the numbers that stood out-it was the narrative.
Joe Burrow made his return under the primetime lights, and he made it count. The Bengals came out aggressive, taking advantage of a Ravens offense that couldn’t quite find its rhythm. Lamar Jackson struggled to get going, and Cincinnati took full advantage, flipping the script on what many expected to be a Ravens-controlled game.
The Bengals' early surge gave them control, and Burrow’s poise in his return was a major storyline. For fans, it was a chance to see two AFC contenders go toe-to-toe with playoff positioning on the line. And clearly, America was watching.
A Thanksgiving to Remember
All told, the NFL’s Thanksgiving slate wasn’t just entertaining-it was historic. The league leaned into rivalries, playoff drama, and star power, and the result was a record-breaking day of football. From the early window to the primetime finale, fans were treated to high-quality matchups that mattered.
Yes, the Chiefs and Cowboys may be trying to claw their way back into postseason relevance. Yes, the Packers are still finding their identity.
And yes, the Bengals and Ravens are navigating the chaos of the AFC. But on Thanksgiving, none of that mattered.
What mattered was the moment-and the NFL delivered three of them.
With viewership numbers like these, it’s clear: the appetite for football on Thanksgiving isn’t just alive-it’s thriving.