How Is The Schedule For Football Games On Thanksgiving Determined?

In terms of Detroit, the thanksgiving day tradition started way back in 1934 when G.A. Richards was the owner. Even though they started off the franchise with a bang and a great record, they just weren't getting the numbers the wanted in the stands at games. Mr Richards looked at the tradition of many of the high schools and colleges at the time who were playing thanks giving day games, in particular Detroits Eastern Highschool, who normally played a team from Chicago. So, seeing that, he decided to do the same thing but hype it up a lot more.

The Detroit Lions ended up playing the Chicago Bears and after having a capacity crowd of 26,000 turn up (plus more that were turned away) and the game broadcasted on 91 radio stations, the tradition was born.

You can find more information on this (including how they select their opponents) here.

The Dallas Cowboys have a similar tradition that started in 1966. I would imagine the way they select their opponents and who televises it would be the same as the Detroit Lions.

The Dallas Cowboys, who are there on the field, so those amazing dancing young ladies have an opportunity to bounce around & jiggle schedule every year to play a football contest at their home field.  This schedule choice also occurs for the Detroit Lions having a contest on the third Thursday of November every year.  These teams of course need opponents to compete against, so that means two other football clubs must suit-up, thus making a total of four teams in competition every year.  No, the Cowboys do not play against the Lions ever. You crazy!

Most all the games are rivalries, Cuz!