The Dallas Cowboys’ game against the New York Giants on Thanksgiving featured a 4-7 team, with the backup quarterback facing a 2-9 team on the third string quarterback. As usual, NFL fans couldn’t get enough.
The second of three Thanksgiving games on Thursday drew an average of 38.5 million viewers, according to Fox Sports, making it the most-watched NFL game on any network this regular season. Viewership reportedly peaked at 41.3 million viewers in the second quarter.
Ratings for the Chicago Bears-Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins-Green Bay Packers games have not yet been announced.
Pass the turducken! 🦃
The @DallasCowboys The Thanksgiving win on FOX brought in 38.5 million viewers and projects, becoming the most-watched NFL broadcast on any network this regular season.
The game peaked at 41.3 million viewers between 6:00 PM and 6:15 PM ET. pic.twitter.com/7Uce1TVONP
— FOX Sports PR (@FOXSportsPR) November 29, 2024
These numbers continue the sports media’s simple rule: While other leagues are doing their best to resist the ratings erosion that has hit the rest of the television industry, the NFL continues to see its numbers rise.
The millions who tuned in didn’t exactly get the best of the NFL. The Cowboys still started Cooper Rush at quarterback with Dak Prescott injured, while the Giants had Drew Lock following the release of Daniel Jones and an injury to Tommy DeVito.
New York briefly took a 7-3 lead in the first quarter, but Dallas led 27-10 by the end of the third quarter. Both teams averaged less than five yards per play and fumbled twice, with a combined 156 yards in penalties. The Cowboys weren’t as bad, resulting in a 27-20 victory, moving their record to 5-7.
