New York, November 28, 2025
The 2025 Thanksgiving Day NFL tripleheader featured pivotal matchups that shaped playoff outlooks, with the Dallas Cowboys, Green Bay Packers, and Cincinnati Bengals securing wins over the Kansas City Chiefs, Detroit Lions, and Baltimore Ravens respectively on November 27 across various stadiums.
Cowboys Edge Chiefs in Critical Playoff Battle
Dallas claimed a narrow 31-28 victory against the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs at AT&T Stadium, a result that keeps the Cowboys’ postseason hopes alive. The game was notably affected by the sun glare in the stadium, which impaired quarterback Patrick Mahomes’ visibility during scrambling plays and contributed to key defensive plays against him. The Chiefs, who elected to defend the sunlit west end zone after winning the coin toss, faced ongoing challenges with this decision. This loss also marked Kansas City’s third consecutive road defeat, the longest such streak in Mahomes’ career, and their first Thanksgiving appearance since 2006.
Packers Sweep Lions with Aggressive Strategy
In Detroit, the Green Bay Packers triumphed 31-24 over the Lions, driven by quarterback Jordan Love’s 234 passing yards and four touchdowns. Love improved his Thanksgiving Day record to a perfect 3-0, with nine touchdown passes and no interceptions in his holiday career. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur’s aggressive game plan, successfully converting three critical fourth-down attempts—two culminating in touchdowns—was instrumental in the win. This victory secured a season sweep over Detroit and positioned Green Bay to challenge for first place in the NFC North, while the Lions continue to struggle with losses on the road.
Bengals Dominate Ravens Despite Travel Challenges
Cincinnati secured a decisive 32-14 win against Baltimore, overcoming significant travel delays that had the team arriving after midnight. The game marked the return of quarterback Joe Burrow from injury, who led a convincing offensive effort signaling the Bengals’ readiness for the playoff push. Baltimore, by contrast, suffered their second consecutive defeat, raising concerns about their postseason prospects and offensive consistency.
Playoff Implications and Thanksgiving NFL Tradition
These Thanksgiving matchups carried substantial implications for the NFL postseason landscape. The victories by Dallas, Green Bay, and Cincinnati strengthen their competitive positions, while the Chiefs, Lions, and Ravens face increased pressure moving forward. The day’s contests upheld the NFL tradition of delivering high-stakes, strategic, and entertaining football, setting a compelling tone for the final weeks of the 2025 season.