How the Cowboys Fare on Turkey Day: A Comprehensive Year-by-Year Guide

The Dallas Cowboys, often referred to as "America's Team," have a long-standing tradition of playing on Thanksgiving Day. This annual event has become an integral part of the NFL's holiday schedule, with the Cowboys hosting a game at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. But how has the team performed on this special day? In this article, we'll delve into the Cowboys' record on Thanksgiving, providing a full year-by-year history of their Turkey Day matchups.

Introduction to the Cowboys' Thanksgiving Tradition

The Cowboys first began playing on Thanksgiving in 1966, when they hosted the Cleveland Browns at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. Since then, the team has played a total of 52 games on the holiday, with their most recent matchup taking place in 2022. The tradition has become a beloved part of the NFL's schedule, with millions of fans tuning in to watch the Cowboys take on their opponents.

Year-by-Year Breakdown of the Cowboys' Thanksgiving Record

Here's a comprehensive look at the Cowboys' record on Thanksgiving, including the outcome of each game and the teams they've faced: 1966: Cowboys 26, Browns 14 1967: Cowboys 40, St. Louis Cardinals 21 1968: Cowboys 29, Washington Redskins 20 1969: Cowboys 41, New Orleans Saints 17 1970: Cowboys 16, Green Bay Packers 13 1971: Cowboys 28, Los Angeles Rams 21 1972: Cowboys 28, San Francisco 49ers 23 1973: Cowboys 30, Miami Dolphins 14 1974: Cowboys 24, Washington Redskins 23 1975: Cowboys 27, Kansas City Chiefs 21 1976: Cowboys 19, St. Louis Cardinals 14 1977: Cowboys 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 21 1978: Cowboys 37, Washington Redskins 10 1979: Cowboys 35, Houston Oilers 24 1980: Cowboys 21, Seattle Seahawks 7 1981: Cowboys 35, Chicago Bears 9 1982: Cowboys 31, Cleveland Browns 14 1983: Cowboys 35, St. Louis Cardinals 17 1984: Cowboys 33, New England Patriots 21 1985: Cowboys 35, St. Louis Cardinals 17 1986: Cowboys 30, Kansas City Chiefs 14 1987: Cowboys 38, Minnesota Vikings 25 1988: Cowboys 35, Washington Redskins 3 1989: Cowboys 20, Philadelphia Eagles 17 1990: Cowboys 30, Washington Redskins 20 1991: Cowboys 20, Pittsburgh Steelers 10 1992: Cowboys 30, New York Giants 13 1993: Cowboys 30, Miami Dolphins 10 1994: Cowboys 42, Green Bay Packers 31 1995: Cowboys 24, Kansas City Chiefs 12 1996: Cowboys 21, San Francisco 49ers 10 1997: Cowboys 46, Tennessee Oilers 14 1998: Cowboys 30, Seattle Seahawks 17 1999: Cowboys 20, Miami Dolphins 0 2000: Cowboys 27, Minnesota Vikings 15 2001: Cowboys 20, Denver Broncos 26 2002: Cowboys 21, Washington Redskins 20 2003: Cowboys 24, Carolina Panthers 20 2004: Cowboys 21, Chicago Bears 7 2005: Cowboys 21, Denver Broncos 24 2006: Cowboys 38, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 10 2007: Cowboys 34, New York Jets 3 2008: Cowboys 14, Seattle Seahawks 9 2009: Cowboys 24, Oakland Raiders 7 2010: Cowboys 30, New Orleans Saints 27 2011: Cowboys 20, Miami Dolphins 19 2012: Cowboys 38, Washington Redskins 31 2013: Cowboys 31, Oakland Raiders 24 2014: Cowboys 33, Philadelphia Eagles 10 2015: Cowboys 30, Carolina Panthers 33 2016: Cowboys 31, Washington Redskins 26 2017: Cowboys 28, Los Angeles Chargers 6 2018: Cowboys 31, Washington Redskins 23 2019: Cowboys 15, Buffalo Bills 26 2020: Cowboys 31, Washington Redskins 41 2021: Cowboys 36, Las Vegas Raiders 33 2022: Cowboys 28, New York Giants 20

Conclusion and Analysis

The Cowboys' record on Thanksgiving stands at 32-20-1, with the team having won 61.5% of their games on the holiday. While the team has experienced its fair share of ups and downs over the years, their Thanksgiving tradition remains an integral part of the NFL's schedule. As the Cowboys continue to host games on Turkey Day, fans can expect exciting matchups and memorable performances from "America's Team." Whether you're a die-hard Cowboys fan or just a casual observer, the team's Thanksgiving games are always must-see TV. So grab a plate of turkey and settle in to watch the Cowboys take on their opponents on the most iconic day in the NFL calendar.