Here’s why the Cowboys always play on Thanksgiving, explained | Sporting News

If it seems like the Dallas Cowboys always play on Thanksgiving, well, that’s because they do.

The Cowboys’ annual tradition of playing on the American holiday, which began in 1966, originated as something of a publicity stunt for America’s Team. Following the Lions’ lead from decades earlier, the concept became an immediate success and the Cowboys have been a Turkey Day fixture ever since, with a few exceptions.

Here’s a brief history lesson, plus a full list of past Cowboys Thanksgiving games while stuffing your face with turkey and pie.

MORE: John Madden’s career record, winning percentage & more about legendary coach

Why do the Cowboys always play on Thanksgiving?

The Cowboys’ tradition of playing on Thanksgiving started when then-general manager Tex Schramm signed up for the holiday game in 1966.

Schramm sought more national publicity and saw Thanksgiving as a way to boost national attention from football fans in and out of Dallas. The NFL was worried about attendance for the game because the Cowboys had been struggling under head coach Tom Landry. Just in case no one showed up, the NFL guaranteed the Cowboys a certain gate revenue. 

It turned out the NFL had nothing to worry about. The Cowboys broke their franchise attendance record as 80,259 fans watched the team beat the Browns at the Cotton Bowl. 

The Cowboys have played on Thanksgiving every year since except two. In 1975 and 1977, the NFL awarded Thanksgiving games to the St. Louis Cardinals instead in an attempt to boost that franchise’s national exposure. The Cowboys had been constant Super Bowl contenders, so the NFL wanted to give another team the chance to be broadcast on a national level. The Cardinals lost both games and the Cowboys reclaimed the tradition in 1978, sharing the day with the Lions.

Detroit has first dibs with the early kickoff every year at 12:30 p.m. ET, so it’s custom for the Cowboys to play in the late-afternoon game that follows.

In 2006, the NFL decided to add a third game in prime time, because why stop at just two holiday games?

MORE: Why the Lions and Cowboys always play on Thanksgiving

Who do the Cowboys play on Thanksgiving 2024?

The Cowboys play the Giants on Thanksgiving in 2024.

It is the third time these franchises have met head-to-head on the holiday. Dallas has won each of the previous two contests, including a win in 2022 the last time out. 

MORE: How John Madden started the NFL’s Thanksgiving Turkey Leg tradition

Cowboys’ all-time record on Thanksgiving

The Cowboys are 34-22-1 playing on Thanksgiving in franchise history. 

Notable games:

1989 — The Eagles beat the Cowboys 27-0, but the story of the game was that allegations had come out that the Eagles had placed a bounty on the Cowboys’ kicker.

MORE: How John Madden popularized the turducken on NFL broadcasts

1993 — In a rare snowy game in Texas, the Cowboys had a 14-13 lead over the Dolphins with just seconds remaining. Dolphins kicker Pete Stoyanovich attempted a game-winning 40-yard field goal that was blocked by the Cowboys’ Jimmie Jones. Once the ball stopped moving, the play would be ruled dead and the Cowboys would get the ball back, ready to line up in victory formation. But Cowboys lineman Leon Lett botched the play, and he fell as he tried to grab the ball, knocking it forward and giving the Dolphins the opportunity to recover it on the 2-yard line. The Dolphins kicked a chip shot field goal and won the game 16-14.

1994 — Troy Aikman was injured, and third-string quarterback Jason Garrett (who was the Cowboys’ head coach from 2011 to 2019) had to start for Dallas against the Green Bay Packers. The Cowboys won in a 42–31 shootout against Packers quarterback Brett Favre.