If it seems like the Detroit Lions always play on Thanksgiving, that’s because they do.
The tradition of the Lions’ annual fun on the American holiday, which began in 1934, is almost the same as the franchise itself. In fact, they’re the biggest reason football and Thanksgiving are synonymous, even if The Lions haven’t enjoyed as much holiday success as the other series.
Here’s a brief history lesson, along with a full list of past games and how to watch the 2021 version while stuffing your face with turkey and cake.
Why do the Lions always play on Thanksgiving?
It all started on Thanksgiving Day 1934, when owner George A. Richards decided to play on the holiday to attract more fans.
Richards is known for his marketing acumen, and his Thanksgiving plan was an instant hit. The Lions didn’t attract many crowds at the time because the Detroit Tigers were the city’s main sporting attraction. But on that Thanksgiving day, the Lions not only sold out the stadium, but had to ward off people at the gates.
The Lions lost to the Bears, but a new team tradition was born.
Other teams played on Thanksgiving before 1934, but the Lions were different because Richards owned a radio station that was the main affiliate of NBC Blue Network. Richards negotiated a deal with NBC to air his Thanksgiving games on 94 stations around the country.
Since 1978, the Lions and Cowboys have hosted an annual Thanksgiving game. Detroit always plays early, followed by Dallas in the late afternoon and a rotation game added in 2006.
Who do the Lions play on Thanksgiving 2021?
The Lions take on the Bears on Thanksgiving in 2021. This is the 17th time these franchises have met in person over the holiday, 34-30, with their most recent win being 24-20 Bears on 2019.
Game Lions vs. What channel do Bears broadcast on?
CBS will broadcast Lions vs. Bears this year. The kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET — the first match of the day, according to tradition.
Lion record on Thanksgiving
The Lions are 37-42-2 playing on Thanksgiving in franchise history.
| Year | Protest | Result |
|---|---|---|
| 1934 | Chicago Bears | L, 19-16 |
| 1935 | Chicago Bears | W, 14-2 |
| 1936 | Chicago Bears | W, 13-7 |
| 1937 | Chicago Bears | L, 13-0 |
| 1938 | Chicago Bears | W, 14-7 |
| [1945 | Cleveland Rams | L, 28-21 |
| 1946 | Boston Yanks | L, 34-10 |
| 1947 | Chicago Bears | L, 34-14 |
| 1948 | Chicago Card | L, 28-14 |
| 1949 | Chicago Bears | L, 28-7 |
| 1950 | New York Yanks | W, 49-14 |
| 1951 | Green Bay Packers | W, 52-35 |
| 1952 | Green Bay Packers | W, 48-24 |
| 1953 | Green Bay Packers | W, 34-15 |
| 1954 | Green Bay Packers | W, 28-24 |
| 1955 | Green Bay Packers | W, 24-10 |
| 1956 | Green Bay Packers | L, 24-20 |
| 1957 | Green Bay Packers | W, 18-6 |
| 1958 | Green Bay Packers | W, 24-14 |
| 1959 | Green Bay Packers | L, 24-17 |
| 1960 | Green Bay Packers | W, 23-10 |
| 1961 | Green Bay Packers | L, 17-9 |
| 1962 | Green Bay Packers | W, 26-14 |
| 1963 | Green Bay Packers | T, 13-13 |
| 1964 | Chicago Bears | L, 27-24 |
| 1965 | Baltimore Colts | T, 24-24 |
| 1966 | San Francisco 49ers | L, 41-14 |
| 1967 | Los Angeles Rams | L, 31-7 |
| 1968 | Philadelphia Eagles | L, 12-0 |
| 1969 | Minnesota Vikings | L, 27-0 |
| 1970 | Oakland Raiders | W, 28-14 |
| 1971 | Chief of Kansas City | W, 32-21 |
| 1972 | New York Jets | W, 37-20 |
| 1973 | Washington Redskins | L, 20-0 |
| 1974 | Dancer broncos | L, 31-27 |
| 1975 | Los Angeles Rams | L, 20-0 |
| 1976 | Buffalo Bills | W, 27-14 |
| 1977 | Chicago Bears | L, 31-14 |
| 1978 | Dancer broncos | W, 17-14 |
| 1979 | Chicago Bears | W, 20-0 |
| 1980 | Chicago Bears | L, 23-17 (Old Testament) |
| 1981 | Chief of Kansas City | W, 27-10 |
| 1982 | Giants in New York | L, 13-6 |
| 1983 | Pittsburgh Steelers | W, 45-3 |
| 1984 | Green Bay Packers | W, 31-28 |
| 1985 | New York Jets | W, 31-20 |
| 1986 | Green Bay Packers | L, 44-40 |
| 1987 | Chief of Kansas City | L, 27-20 |
| 1988 | Minnesota Vikings | L, 23-0 |
| 1989 | Cleveland Browns | W, 13-10 |
| 1990 | Dancer broncos | W, 40-27 |
| 1991 | Chicago Bears | W, 16-6 |
| 1992 | Houston Texas | L, 24-21 |
| 1993 | Chicago Bears | L, 10-6 |
| 1994 | Buffalo Bills | W, 35-21 |
| 1995 | Minnesota Vikings | W, 44-38 |
| 1996 | Chief of Kansas City | L, 28-24 |
| 1997 | Chicago Bears | W, 55-20 |
| 1998 | Pittsburgh Steelers | W, 19-16 (OT) |
| 1999 | Chicago Bears | W, 21-17 |
| 2000 | New England Patriots | W, 34-9 |
| 2001 | Green Bay Packers | L, 29-27 |
| 2002 | New England Patriots | L, 20-12 |
| 2003 | Green Bay Packers | W, 22-14 |
| 2004 | Indianapolis Colts | L, 41-9 |
| 2005 | Atlanta Falcons | L, 27-7 |
| 2006 | Miami Dolphins | L, 27-10 |
| 2007 | Green Bay Packers | L, 37-26 |
| 2008 | Tennessee Titans | L, 47-10 |
| 2009 | Green Bay Packers | L, 34-12 |
| 2010 | New England Patriots | L, 45-24 |
| 2011 | Green Bay Packers | L, 27-15 |
| 2012 | Houston Texas | L, 34-31 (Old Testament) |
| two thousand and thirteen | Green Bay Packers | W, 40-10 |
| 2014 | Chicago Bears | W, 34-17 |
| 2015 | Philadelphia Eagles | W, 45-14 |
| 2016 | Minnesota Vikings | W, 16-13 |
| 2017 | Minnesota Vikings | L, 30-23 |
| 2018 | Chicago Bears | L, 23-16 |
| 2019 | Chicago Bears | L, 24-20 |
| Year 2020 | Houston Texas | L, 41-25 |
Notable games:
1962 – The Lions left the Green Bay Packers’ only loss of that season. Green Bay finished 13-1 and won its second NFL championship in a row.
1980 – Lions and Bears tied 17-17 at the end of regulation. It was the first game in Thanksgiving to start overtime, and when the Bears ran again Dave Williams returned the final group game for a touchdown, it also became the shortest stoppage time at 13 seconds – a record The record of the regular season survives to this day.
1986 – The Lions and Packers play the highest scoring game in Thanksgiving history to date, 44-40, with Green Bay winning the W.
2008 – 10-1 Titans beat Lions 0-11 47-10, one of the biggest points of difference in Thanksgiving history. The Lions finished the season with a score of 0-16.
