Thanksgiving is packed full of traditions. Sure, it’s all about being grateful, enjoying the food, and you might check out the parade, but don’t forget about the game. Alongside your turkey and pie, you can see some of the most fiercely competitive games of the season.
Most occur on the actual day, but some spill over onto the following Friday and Saturday, making it a three-day run of serious entertainment. What often sets these games apart are the traditions and the rivalries. In this post, we take a look at historic matchups and what to look forward to on November 27.
Classic Rivalries
It’s not just NFL games that people will watch on Thanksgiving; highschool football is a huge part of the tradition. In fact, it’s where you find most of the long-standing rivalries. The Northeast, in particular, is known for it.
In Massachusetts, Wellesley vs. Needham is a big deal, and it dates back over 100 years. While the competition is serious, the occasion is just as much about bringing the two towns together. New Jersey also has two big rivals: Haddon Heights and Haddonfield, which have been facing each other on Thanksgiving every year since 1922.
As for the NFL, there’s a different tradition. Fans know that they can always see games from the Detroit Lions and the Dallas Cowboys. The two teams have played at home on Thanksgiving since the 1930s and the 1960s, respectively.
NFL
Back in 2006, the NFL added a third game to the Thanksgiving schedule, although those teams vary. That means there are three Turkey Day games to look forward to. They all promise to be exciting matchups, with division rivals kicking things off in the first game at Ford Field, Detroit.
Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers
The last time these two teams met for a Thanksgiving Day game, which was two seasons ago, the Packers came out on top. Both teams have had decent results of late, although it’s Detroit that has clinched the NFC North Crown in the two previous seasons. We’re looking at a solid matchup, then, with both teams eager to prove a point.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Dallas Cowboys
Keep the entertainment going with the second game of the day taking place at AT&T Stadium, Arlington. The Chiefs are the runners-up of Super Bowl LIX, and Patrick Mahomes will want to bring his A game for his debut in Arlington. The Cowboys, on the other hand, will be aiming for a strong performance off the back of disappointment last year when they missed out on the postseason.
Cincinnati Bengals vs. Baltimore Ravens
The Bengals are on the road, giving us the third Turkey Day matchup, which will take place in Baltimore. They’ll take on the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium. It’s an AFC North rivalry, where both teams will have their sights firmly set on making it to the postseason. Previous games in this divisional rivalry have brought gripping play and drama, so we hope for more of the same on Thursday.
College Football
College football teams give their players a break for Thanksgiving. That’s good news, as you’ll have more time to enjoy the NFL and high school games. There’s plenty to enjoy on Friday, though, with matchups between Ole Miss and Mississippi State, Georgia against Georgia Tech, and Indiana facing Purdue.
Most of the games are on Saturday, the 29th, which is when you’ll see Carson Boyd in action for the Illinois Fighting Illini. The quarterback’s side is facing Northwestern. Other games to look forward to include UCLA vs. USC, Kentucky vs. Louisville, and UNLV against Nevada. Don’t miss Ohio State vs. Michigan, either.
High School Matchups
To indulge in some traditional rivalries, look out for the Thanksgiving Day high school football games. If you’ve got a local team that plays a Turkey Day game, it’s well worth heading out to watch. Here are some of the key rivalries to look forward to:
Fenway Park Football
Fenway Park is hosting four high school football games in the run-up to Thanksgiving. On Tuesday, fans can see Melrose take on Wakefield. The second game of that day is Newton North vs. Brookline. On Wednesday, there’ll be a hot contest between Plymouth South and Plymouth North, followed by the Lexington Minutemen taking on Concord-Carlisle.
New Jersey History
Like other Northeastern states, New Jersey is known for its Thanksgiving Day games. However, it’s a tradition that’s dwindling. This year, the Big Central Conference rivals Roselle and Roselle Park will face each other for the last time in their holiday game. They’ve been meeting for 117 years, and the end of this tradition will see just one high school holiday game left in the state.
Wreckers vs. Cardinals
The tradition is still going strong in Connecticut, where rivals Staples High School will take on Greenwich High School. Better known as the Wreckers vs. the Cardinals, this matchup should be interesting. Previously, the Wreckers beat the Cardinals 27-0, but that didn’t stop the latter from going on to win the state championship!
