NFL schedule release: Lions-Bears, Cowboys-Raiders highlight Thanksgiving Day games

The NFL Schedule release has revealed the three Thanksgiving games for the 2021 season.

The NFL schedule release marks one step closer to the return of football as fans can start planning what dates each of the league’s regular-season matchups will take place.

One notable schedule highlight is the Thanksgiving Day games featuring the traditional matchups with the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys playing a game annually while the primetime affair rotates between compelling teams.

The 2020 Thanksgiving slate was shortened by one game after the Ravens-Steelers matchup was postponed due to COVID issues with Baltimore, so the league is hoping for a return to the full three-game slate this season.

Let’s take a look at this year’s trio of matchups with a quick breakdown of each game, with a hat tip to Master Tes on Twitter for the scoop.

NFL schedule release – Thanksgiving matchups

Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions 

The NFL will go with an NFC North rivalry for Detroit’s game as they take on the Chicago Bears in the first Thanksgiving game for new head coach Dan Campbell. Jared Goff will also be in the spotlight as he looks to succeed Matthew Stafford as the Lions’ starting quarterback.

These teams last met on Thanksgiving in 2019 when the Bears picked up a 24-20 win over the Lions.

Las Vegas Raiders at Dallas Cowboys

The Raiders are a marquee attraction for the NFL and it makes sense that the league opted to stick them on Thanksgiving against the Cowboys. Dallas had a down year in 2020 but will look to bounce back behind a healthy Dak Prescott alongside a reloaded defense.

The last time these teams met on Thanksgiving was in 2013 when the Cowboys beat the Raiders, who were then based in Oakland, 31-24.

Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints

The primetime matchup will feature the Bills traveling to New Orleans to take on the Saints in a showcase for the post-Drew Brees era. The Saints last appeared on Thanksgiving in 2019 when they beat the Atlanta Falcons while Buffalo’s last Turkey Day game came in the same year when they beat the Cowboys 26-15 in Dallas.