NFL Thanksgiving 2021 TV Schedule: How To Watch The Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Holiday Football Games

There is plenty of football to watch on Thanksgiving 2021. Three NFL games are on Thursday’s schedule, including a couple of contests with serious playoff implications.

The Detroit Lions continue their tradition of hosting the early-afternoon game, this time with a matchup against the Chicago Bears at 12:30 p.m. ET. The Dallas Cowboys are in their usual 4:30 p.m. ET slot, welcoming in the Las Vegas Raiders to AT&T Stadium. “Thursday Night Football” features the Buffalo Bills and New Orleans Saints at 8:20 p.m. ET.

Fox has the first Thanksgiving game. CBS will broadcast the game from Dallas. Fans can watch the primetime matchup on NBC.

The afternoon games will be available on the NFL app. NBC Sports Live will stream the Thursday night game.

There isn’t much on the line in Thursday’s first contest. Detroit is alone at the bottom of the NFC standings. Chicago is one of the worst teams in the conference.

The Bears defeated the Lions on Thanksgiving in both 2018 and 2019. Detroit is on a four-game Thanksgiving losing streak.

Dallas is expected to cruise to the NFC East championship with an eye on a top playoff seed. Las Vegas is fighting for the AFC West title in the league’s most competitive division. Dak Prescott and Derek Carr have been among the NFL’s most productive quarterbacks in 2021.

The Washington Football Team blew out Dallas 41-16 last Thanksgiving when Prescott was out for the season with an ankle injury. The Cowboys’ two-game losing streak on the holiday started with a loss at the hands of the Bills in 2019.

Both the Bills and Saints appear to be likely playoff teams, though they still have work to do. Buffalo is in a tight two-team race with the New England Patriots for the AFC East title. New Orleans remains in the NFC South race, as well as an unpredictable wild-card picture.

The Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons on Thanksgiving night in both 2018 and 2019.