Thanksgiving is such an exciting time! It’s a day of feasting, family time, and celebrating. But what really gets me excited about Thanksgiving is the football! Everyone loves Thanksgiving Football, when teams from the National Football League (NFL) come together to battle it out for bragging rights. But does the same NFL teams always play on Thanksgiving?
Well, it turns out that each season the NFL selects certain teams to play on Thanksgiving night. Generally, the same teams do play every year but the matchups change. For example, the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions usually play on Thanksgiving, but the Lions might play the Green Bay Packers one year and the Bears another year.
This year of course, is different. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the NFL has had to cancel some regular season games, so we won’t be getting the same Thanksgiving line-up as we normally do. Instead, we only get one single game, with the Baltimore Ravens taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers. But this could all change if the coronavirus pandemic continues to keep fans away from the stadiums.
It’s still exciting to see the teams that usually play on Thanksgiving each year, though! The Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions have a special rivalry, so it’s always fun to watch their games. Plus, the Cowboys generally host the Thanksgiving Day game, which means the team will always have to compete in “unfamiliar” turf – meaning that the Lions have a tiny edge in the battle. This year, of course, they won’t get that chance to prove themselves as the Packers are taking their place.
I also love the fact that most years, two of the NFL’s oldest teams are playing each other on Thanksgiving. This year, for example, the Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens have an ancient rivalry, so we’ll all get to witness the excitement of the football game. Plus, with such powerful teams playing, it’s bound to be an intense match.
This year, since the coronavirus pandemic has made it impossible for large crowds to gather, the NFL has had to make some changes. Instead of having a full slate of Thanksgiving games, they opted to have only one to protect the health and safety of players and fans. It’s a shame, but it’s the intelligent thing to do.
Thanksgiving is a special time, no matter how the NFL changes things around. I’m still looking forward to this year, even though the teams won’t be the same. After all, it’s still football, and football – to me – is always exciting.
In recent years, the NFL has started experimenting with different Thanksgiving Day games. This year, for example, the Chicago Bears are hosting the Houston Texans instead of the Detroit Lions. While it’s a nice change of pace, I still think it is important to keep the tradition of having the same teams playing on Thanksgiving. It’s something that has been passed down for generations, and it should remain a cherished tradition.
Having the same teams playing on Thanksgiving also enhances the experience for the fans. After all, the fans are what make football so great and with the same teams playing each year, they can develop a deep connection with the game. Plus, it can create some good rivalries between the teams, making the Thanksgiving Day game even more exciting!
In my opinion, the NFL should stick to having the same teams play on Thanksgiving each year. It keeps the tradition alive while still providing a great viewing experience for the fans. After all, having the same teams play on Thanksgiving is part of what makes football – and Thanksgiving itself – so special.
Despite the changes, I’m still looking forward to this year’s Thanksgiving Day game. It might not be the same as it usually is, but I know it’ll still be a great viewing experience. Who knows, maybe one of the teams will pull off a surprising upset to create some buzz during this unique Thanksgiving season!