Thanksgiving is a day for family, food, and football—a trifecta that seems idyllic until someone inevitably brings up a sports debate that divides the table faster than your cousin grabs the last dinner roll. It’s as much a part of the holiday as pumpkin pie and political arguments, except with more yelling about whether or not the Lions should be allowed to play on Thanksgiving ever again. Let’s dive into the most common Thanksgiving sports debates that keep the holiday spicy, chaotic, and hilariously memorable.

“Why Do the Lions Always Play on Thanksgiving?”

This question is as old as Thanksgiving football itself, and yet no one has a satisfying answer. Sure, Detroit’s annual Turkey Day game is a tradition dating back to 1934, but traditions aren’t automatically good. Dry turkey is a tradition too, and we all know how much everyone loves that. The Lions have spent decades underperforming on the holiday stage, and yet the NFL keeps scheduling them. Why? Nostalgia? Sadism? The league’s refusal to admit it’s wrong?

This debate tends to start innocently enough, with someone at the table casually asking why the Lions always play. But then your uncle pipes up with a rant about how tradition is sacred, your brother insists the NFL should rotate teams, and your dad says something like, “At least the Lions show up,” while glaring at the Cowboys fans in the room. Things escalate quickly, and before you know it, people are arguing louder than the crowd at a playoff game (something the Lions rarely see).

“Is It Time to Kick the Cowboys Off Thanksgiving Too?”

If the Lions are a source of Thanksgiving Day frustration, the Cowboys are a lightning rod for heated debates. They’ve been playing on Turkey Day since 1966, and while they’ve had their share of memorable moments, they also bring a level of divisiveness that few other teams can match. For every person who considers the Cowboys “America’s Team,” there’s someone else who wants to see them benched for good.

This debate usually involves a Cowboys fan smugly bringing up their five Super Bowl rings, only to be countered by someone pointing out that those championships happened decades ago. Next, the conversation turns into a heated discussion about Jerry Jones, whether Dak Prescott is overrated, and why the NFL insists on airing Cowboys games in primetime. By the end of it, no one’s touched the cranberry sauce, and your aunt is threatening to turn the TV off altogether.

“Is Football Better Than Food?”

Thanksgiving is a day of indulgence, and for many people, that indulgence comes in two forms: feasting and football. But which is better? This debate is surprisingly contentious, especially when someone in the family feels strongly about one over the other. The food enthusiasts argue that Thanksgiving is about the meal—the perfectly roasted turkey, the mashed potatoes drowning in gravy, and the pies that make your calorie count for the year irrelevant. Meanwhile, the football die-hards insist that the games are what bring everyone together, whether you’re cheering, booing, or just waiting for the halftime show.

This argument often gets sidetracked by people pointing out flaws in both traditions. “Turkey is overrated,” someone will say, igniting a secondary debate about whether ham is a better Thanksgiving centerpiece. On the football side, someone inevitably complains about the quality of the games, especially if the Lions are involved. The real winner of this debate? Whoever sneaks off to grab another slice of pie while everyone else is busy yelling.

“Should Halftime Shows Be Replaced with Something Better?”

Halftime shows on Thanksgiving are hit or miss, and that’s putting it kindly. For every genuinely entertaining performance, there’s a cringe-worthy moment that makes you wish you’d just stayed in the kitchen to grab more stuffing. This debate often starts when someone groans during the halftime performance, leading to a flurry of suggestions for what would be more entertaining.

Ideas range from practical (“Why not showcase local marching bands?”) to absurd (“Let’s have a turkey-eating contest between the coaches!”). Someone might suggest bringing back the Puppy Bowl for a halftime cameo, while another family member insists that the NFL should just replay the greatest halftime shows of all time. Whatever the proposal, the consensus is usually that anything would be better than watching a C-list pop star awkwardly lip-sync their way through a medley of forgettable songs.

“Who’s the Greatest Thanksgiving Football Player of All Time?”

This debate is the sports equivalent of discussing politics: no one’s changing their mind, and it’s bound to get heated. Some will argue for Barry Sanders, whose Thanksgiving performances were often the only bright spot for Lions fans. Others will bring up Randy Moss, whose three-touchdown game against the Cowboys in 1998 is the stuff of legend. And of course, there’s always that one person who insists that Tony Romo deserves a spot in the conversation, sparking eye rolls and sarcastic comments from everyone else.

The arguments here are passionate, occasionally informed, and always entertaining. It’s less about reaching a consensus and more about flexing your football knowledge while subtly reminding your cousin that your fantasy team is doing better than theirs this year.

“Should Thanksgiving Games Rotate Teams?”

This debate is a natural progression from the Lions and Cowboys discussions. The idea of rotating Thanksgiving games to include all NFL teams seems like a no-brainer to some, but it’s a non-starter for others who cling to tradition. Proponents of rotation argue that it would make the games more exciting and give every team a chance to shine on the holiday stage. Traditionalists counter that Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same without Detroit and Dallas, even if they sometimes (read: often) deliver less-than-stellar performances.

This conversation usually ends in a stalemate, with people agreeing to disagree—or changing the subject to dessert. Still, it’s a debate that never fails to resurface year after year, much like the Lions’ losing streak.

“Why Are There So Many Commercials?”

Thanksgiving football isn’t just about the games—it’s also about the endless parade of commercials reminding you to start your holiday shopping. This debate tends to come from someone who’s not a die-hard football fan but is watching the game to be polite. They’ll groan about how long the breaks are, and someone else will argue that commercials are necessary to fund the league. Before long, people are reminiscing about their favorite Super Bowl ads, and the original debate is forgotten.

Conclusion: A Thanksgiving Tradition Like No Other

Thanksgiving wouldn’t be the same without these sports debates. They’re part of the charm, the chaos, and the joy of the holiday. Whether you’re arguing about the Lions, the Cowboys, or whether football is even worth watching, these discussions are what make Thanksgiving feel alive. So this year, as you sit down to your feast and flip on the TV, embrace the debates, the drama, and the inevitable family feuds. After all, what’s Thanksgiving without a little friendly competition—both on and off the field?