After a disrupted schedule in 2020, Thanksgiving is set to feature three NFL games again in 2021. The first two contests will be hosted as usual by the Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys. The prime-time game will feature the New Orleans Saints and Buffalo Bills.
NFL Thanksgiving Day Games for 2021
Which three NFL games will be featured on Thanksgiving in 2021? Let’s carve out the Thanksgiving schedule.
Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
- Channel: FOX
- Start Time: 12:30 PM ET
The first game of the Thanksgiving slate will feature the Chicago Bears and the Detroit Lions. As we write this, the Chicago Bears sit at 3-6 on the season. They are second to last in the NFC North, followed only by the winless Detroit Lions. Justin Fields has taken over as the starting QB for Chicago. Even though he has shown moments of greatness, it has been a tough start to his NFL career.
Meanwhile, the Lions are as bad as everyone expected them to be at the start of the season. They have been feisty in some of their games, but they have been blown out in most others. Jared Goff has been serviceable, but it is pretty clear that the Lions will be selecting his replacement in the 2022 NFL Draft.
If we look ahead to the current Las Vegas NFL odds for the Thanksgiving Day games, the Bears are favored by a field goal. Can the Lions actually get their first win on Thanksgiving?
Las Vegas Raiders at Dallas Cowboys
- Channel: CBS
- Start Time: 4:30 PM ET
The Dallas Cowboys continue their Thanksgiving tradition by taking on the Las Vegas Raiders. Dallas is currently in a fight for the top spot in the NFC. Meanwhile, the Raiders are reeling after a few tough losses. The AFC West is still wide open, and the Raiders could make a play for the division, but that battle will be tough when heading through Dallas.
The Cowboys have one of the most potent offenses in the NFL through the first 10 weeks, rankings first in both yards and points per game. The Raiders, however, are not too far behind and rank in the top five in both categories. This one could be an offensive showdown, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the total in the high 50s.
Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints
- Channel: NBC
- Start Time: 8:20 PM ET
Josh Allen and the Buffalo Bills will take on the New Orleans Saints in the prime-time slot. The Saints are starting a mix of Trevor Siemian and Taysom Hill at QB after losing Jameis Winston to a season-ending injury. However, even with the QB carousel, the Saints are still only a game behind the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the division title.
Meanwhile, Buffalo is now in a tight race for the AFC East with Mac Jones and the New England Patriots. The Bills have been one of the toughest teams to figure out this year. In some games, their offense is otherwordly; other times, they struggle to put up points. The rushing attack continues to be an issue, and as long as teams can contain Stefon Diggs (which they have been able to do all year), the passing attack also struggles.
This one might be the most interesting of the Thanksgiving Day games. If the Bills struggle offensively against the Saints’ excellent defense, New Orleans might come away with a win at home.