The NFL’s Thanksgiving Day slate didn’t just deliver on the field - it delivered historic numbers in front of the cameras, too. The early game between the Packers and Lions wasn’t just a divisional clash steeped in tradition; it became one of the most-watched regular-season games in league history.
According to Fox, 47.7 million viewers tuned in for the Thanksgiving Day opener, a staggering figure that crushed the previous regular-season viewership record of 42.1 million - set by the Giants-Cowboys matchup in 2022. That mark didn’t just fall; it got left in the dust. And that wasn’t even the peak.
From 4:00 to 4:15 p.m. ET, viewership spiked to an eye-popping 57.957 million, right as the Packers-Lions game was wrapping up and fans began flipping over to the highly anticipated Chiefs-Cowboys showdown. That transition window helped push the Chiefs-Cowboys game to even loftier heights, ultimately surpassing the Packers-Lions’ record - but only by a matter of minutes.
Still, the Lions-Packers game stands as a landmark moment. It was the most-watched regular-season game ever broadcast - at least until the Chiefs and Cowboys took the stage. That’s two massive TV wins in one afternoon, and it speaks volumes about how the NFL continues to dominate the American sports landscape, especially on marquee days like Thanksgiving.
What’s more, both of the 2025 afternoon games topped the previous all-time record. That’s not just a win - that’s a signal. The NFL has found a formula that works: tradition, compelling matchups, and high-stakes scheduling.
Now, the pressure’s on for 2026. The bar has been raised, and the league knows it. With the Lions and Cowboys locked into their annual Thanksgiving roles, the question becomes: who gets the call to dance with them next year?
For Detroit, potential opponents include familiar NFC North foes, but the league could also look to spice things up with teams like the Patriots or Buccaneers. And if the Eagles and Lions both finish atop their divisions, a first-place showdown could be on the table - and that would bring serious juice to the early window.
As for Dallas, beyond their usual NFC East rivals, the NFL could lean into star power and playoff implications. The 49ers are always a ratings magnet, and depending on how the standings shake out, heavyweight AFC contenders like the Steelers, Ravens, or Bengals could be in play.
Bottom line: the NFL just shattered its own ceiling, and now it has to figure out how to top it. With Thanksgiving football delivering this kind of viewership, every scheduling decision for 2026 will carry a little more weight - and a lot more eyeballs.