Thanksgiving NFL Football: 5 Fast Facts You Need To Know

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(Getty)

Five things are valued most about Thanksgiving Day: turkey, stuffing, apple pie, family and football. Great food, great people, and great games are the staple of the American holiday. This year, there will be three exciting NFL games between hated division rivals.

Here’s what you need to know:


1. The Eagles and Cowboys Meet For the First Time This Year

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(Getty)

Both teams are 8-3 and vying for the NFC East’s top spot. The winner of this matchup receives a slight edge heading into the final month of the regular season. These two teams will meet again in Week 15 in what should be the deciding factor for the division crown. The game begins at 4:30 p.m. ET on Fox.


2. There is a Rematch Of Last Year’s NFC Championship Game

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(Getty)

Last year’s NFC championship was a nail-biter that added new heat in the rivalry between the San Francisco 49ers and the Seattle Seahawks. This year, the Seahawks and 49ers meet in San Francisco for the first time since that game. Both NFC West rivals are 7-4 and are battling for wildcard spots as well as keeping up with the division-leading Arizona Cardinals. This game begins at 8:30 p.m. on NBC.


3. The Bears and the Lions are Locked in an NFC North Battle

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(Getty)

The Bears and the Lions will play in Detroit starting at 12:30 p.m. on CBS. Like all of the other matchups on Thanksgiving, these two division rivals meet for the first time this season. The Lions (7-4) are playing for a playoff spot while the Bears (5-6) inconsistency continues to be the downfall of their season.


4. This Is the 75th Thanksgiving Game in Lions History

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(Getty)

The Lions have played in a Thanksgiving game every year since 1934. This year marks the 75th game they will play on the national holiday. It would be their 81st game, but the Lions, and the rest of the NFL, did not play games on Thanksgiving from 1939-1944 during World War II. The Lions all-time record on Thanksgiving is 34-38-2.


5. Pitbull is the Halftime Show During the Cowboys-Eagles Game

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(Getty)

Reviews have been mixed about the excitement for Pitbull’s performing in Dallas during the Cowboys game, but not matter where you stand, he adds major star power to the day. Pitbull has also performed at halftime during an NBA All Star Game and with Jennifer Lopez during the World Cup.