Thanksgiving Day NFL Wins: A Look at the Top Teams and Updated Records for The Cowboys, Lions, and All Other Franchises

JUMP TO: 

• Who has the most wins on Thanksgiving?
• Who has the most losses on Thanksgiving?
• Who has played in the most Thanksgiving games?
• Who has the best record on Thanksgiving?
• What teams have never played on Thanksgiving?

Thanksgiving is about spending time with family, eating yourself into a food coma, and football. 

The NFL holds the top spot on the November holiday. For years, the league has been a dominant presence on televisions nationwide, offering entertainment to fans as they feast on turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, and other dishes. 

It's a given that the Lions and Cowboys will be showcased on the holiday, given their long-standing traditions on Thanksgiving. But do either of these NFC squads hold the record for the most victories on that day?

Here is the full list of records for every NFL team to play on Thanksgiving. 

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Which team boasts the highest number of victories on Thanksgiving Day?

Detroit holds the distinction for the most victories on Thanksgiving. Following the 2024 Thanksgiving Day games, the Lions have secured 38 wins on this holiday. 

Detroit ended a seven-game losing streak streak on Thanksgiving Day by Defeating Chicago in 2024. Prior to that victory, the team's most recent win occurred in 2016. 

The Cowboys, unsurprisingly, are No. 2, with 34 wins. 

Here's a look at the teams with the most Thanksgiving wins. 

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Most Thanksgiving losses

The Lions hold the distinction of having the most Thanksgiving victories, yet they also possess the unenviable record for the most defeats. This is a consequence of their frequent appearances on the holiday schedule, a tradition Detroit has maintained for a long time. 

Entering the 2024 season, the Lions have accumulated 45 losses on Thanksgiving Day. It's worth noting that the team is presently in the midst of a seven-game losing streak on this particular holiday. 

The Cowboys have the second-most with 22, followed by the Packers with 20. 

Here's a look at the teams with the most Thanksgiving losses. 

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Most Thanksgiving games played by whom?

If the Lions hold the record for both the most wins and the most losses on Thanksgiving, it logically follows that they must also have the most appearances on that holiday, right?

You'd be right. No other franchise has participated in more Thanksgiving games than Detroit, having played in 84 contests. The team's 2024 game will mark their 85th appearance.

Dallas is the next closest, with 57 appearances anticipated in 2024. A mere five organizations have participated in 20 or more Thanksgiving games, and just 10 have been featured on the holiday at least 10 times. 

Here are the number of appearances for all NFL teams on Thanksgiving, including the games in 2024.

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Most wins on Thanksgiving?

While the Lions have the most wins on Thanksgiving, they hardly have the best record. 

Three teams remain undefeated heading into Thanksgiving: the Ravens, the Texans, and the Panthers. Baltimore secured victories in both of its 2011 and 2013 Thanksgiving contests, Houston triumphed in its 2012 and 2020 matchups, and Carolina claimed victory in its single Thanksgiving appearance in 2015. 

Regarding teams with Frequent Thanksgiving appearances, the Eagles and Vikings hold remarkable records. Philadelphia boasts a 6-1 win-loss record in November holiday games, and Minnesota stands at 7-2. 

Three teams still await their first Thanksgiving Day victory, not counting the Jaguars who have no history on the holiday. The Bengals and Buccaneers both fell short in their single appearance, and the Browns hold a 0-3 record on Thanksgiving. 

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Teams yet to play on Thanksgiving Day?

There remains just one team that the NFL hasn't yet played on Thanksgiving: the Jaguars.

Since 1995, Jacksonville has fielded an NFL team, though significant success has eluded them. The Jaguars secured the top draft pick in consecutive years, 2021 and 2022. Considering their smaller market, it's understandable that the NFL might prioritize other teams for these prominent game slots.

Even though the Jaguars unexpectedly won the AFC South and reached the divisional round last year, the league opted not to schedule them for a Thanksgiving game this season. Nevertheless, with Trevor Lawrence and Doug Pederson having re-established the franchise's reputation, it's quite plausible that such an opportunity will arise in the foreseeable future.

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