How to watch NFL Thanksgiving games 2024
As per tradition, the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys headline NFL Thanksgiving football.
Almost as much as the turkey and the stuffing (perhaps more so to some), NFL Thanksgiving games are a holiday tradition. Part of that tradition is that the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys are always playing, but in recent years a third game has been added to make it a full day of football action.
The three NFL Thanksgiving games that fans are being treated to this year are:
- Chicago Bears vs Detroit Lions, 12:30 pm ET/9:30 am PT, CBS
- New York Giants vs Dallas Cowboys, 4:30 pm ET/1:30 pm PT, Fox
- Miami Dolphins vs Green Bay Packers, 8:20 pm ET/5:20 pm PT, NBC
The NFL on Thanksgiving is like the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade — you have to watch at least a little bit. So here's how you can watch each NFL Thanksgiving game for 2024.
How to watch Bears vs Lions Thanksgiving game
The first Thanksgiving game is the Chicago Bears against the Detroit Lions, airing at 12:30 pm ET/9:30 am PT on CBS. If you have a traditional cable subscription or a TV antenna, you can easily access your local CBS station to watch the game. Other options include live TV streaming services that carry CBS, which include Fubo, Hulu with Live TV and YouTube TV.
Streaming options for this game include Paramount Plus and NFL Plus (subscription required).
The Lions are looking to continue their dominance and extend their winning streak to 10 games behind the excellent play of Jared Goff, Jahmyr Gibbs, David Montgomery and others. The Bears, meanwhile, are hoping their rookie quarterback Caleb Williams can pull the upset and end the five-game losing streak that they've been on.
How to watch Giants vs Cowboys Thanksgiving game
The second NFL Thanksgiving game this year is the New York Giants against the Dallas Cowboys, with the games airing at 4:30 pm ET/1:30 pm PT on Fox. Fox is carried on by all basic cable providers, so if you subscribe to that or have a TV antenna you can receive the game from your local Fox station. Fox is also carried by live TV streaming services, including Fubo, Hulu with Live TV, Sling TV and YouTube TV.
If you've cut the cord but want to stream this game, NFL Plus is going to be your best option (subscription required).
This season has not gone the way either the Giants or the Cowboys have wanted. Both are down to their backup quarterbacks (the Giants benched and then cut Daniel Jones, while in Dallas Dak Prescott is currently injured) and have struggled on both sides of the ball. But never underestimate a division matchup providing some entertainment (exhibit A, Dallas' wild week 12 game against Washington).
How to watch Dolphins vs Packers Thanksgiving game
The final NFL Thanksgiving is the Miami Dolphins vs Green Bay Packers at 8:20 pm ET/5:20 pm PT on NBC. This is a special edition of Sunday Night Football, so as with that you can watch it live on NBC if you have a traditional pay-TV provider, TV antenna or live TV streaming service (Fubo, Hulu with live TV, Sling TV, YouTube TV).
You can also live stream NBC's NFL Thanksgiving game on Peacock (which also live streams Sunday Night Football every week). For a limited time you can sign up for the streaming service at a discounted rate as part of a Black Friday deal. The other streaming option is NFL Plus.
While it's not a division (or even conference) rivalry, this game is very important for both teams. The Dolphins hope to keep their playoff chances alive and add to their three-game win streak. The Packers would be in the playoffs if they started today, but a win would further secure that and keep them in the hunt for the NFC North division crown.
How to watch NFL Thanksgiving games in the UK
Even UK NFL fans can get in on the NFL Thanksgiving action. Sky TV is broadcasting each of the three games on both its Sky Sports Main Event channel and its Sky Sports NFL channel. You can also stream the games online via the SkyGo app.
Here are the specific games time for UK viewers:
- Green Bay Packers vs Detroit Lions at 5:30 pm UK
- Washington Commanders vs Dallas Cowboys at 9:30 pm UK
- San Francisco 49ers vs Seattle Seahawks at 1:30 am UK on Friday, November 29
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Michael Balderston is a DC-based entertainment and assistant managing editor for What to Watch, who has previously written about the TV and movies with TV Technology, Awards Circuit and regional publications. Spending most of his time watching new movies at the theater or classics on TCM, some of Michael's favorite movies include Casablanca, Moulin Rouge!, Silence of the Lambs, Children of Men, One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest and Star Wars. On the TV side he enjoys Only Murders in the Building, Yellowstone, The Boys, Game of Thrones and is always up for a Seinfeld rerun. Follow on Letterboxd.