The Green Bay Packers’ 2016 schedule won’t be out for a couple months, but it appears you’ll get Thanksgiving off this year.
With the Packers having played two of the last three years on Thanksgiving and the Chicago Bears having played the last two, the league is reportedly putting the Minnesota Vikings up against the Detroit Lions this year.
The Lions have played on Thanksgiving since 1934.
Look for the league to cross-flex an NFC North rival to play the Lions on CBS, most likely the Vikings. The Lions’ only two home games against AFC opponents are unattractive TV matchups (Jacksonville and Tennessee). The Bears have played the past two Thanksgivings, and the Packers have played two of the past three, creating an opening for the Vikings.
The Packers played the Bears on Thanksgiving in 2015 and played the Lions in 2013. They lost both games.
So at least the Packers won’t be ruining your holiday this year.
The Packers were the Lions’ annual Thanksgiving opponent from 1951-63.
Vince Lombardi, who hated playing on Thanksgiving, ended the series. The Packers didn’t play the Lions on the holiday again until 1984.
Thank goodness!
Is there a reason the NFC North is showcased dominantly on Thanksgiving?