Thanksgiving Day Football Features Lions, Packers, and Collinsworth’s Absence

NEW YORK, NY — This Thanksgiving Day, football fans can look forward to an exciting slate of games as the NFL kicks off with three featured matchups. The action begins with the Detroit Lions hosting the Green Bay Packers, followed by a showdown between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys. The evening wraps up with the Cincinnati Bengals facing the Baltimore Ravens.

However, NBC’s broadcast will have a different look this year. Longtime color commentator Cris Collinsworth, who recently celebrated his 500th career game, will not be in the booth for the Thanksgiving matchup. Mike Tirico will continue as the play-by-play announcer, while Melissa Stark will handle sideline reporting duties. Filling in for Collinsworth is former NFL coach and current NBC analyst Jason Garrett.

The reason for Collinsworth’s absence is straightforward: he traditionally does not work on Thanksgiving. This decision has prompted a mixed reaction from NFL fans on social media, with some expressing disappointment while others welcome the change. One fan criticized Garrett, saying, “Garrett is the worst analyst in all of football,” while another offered a more positive take, noting, “Good, now I can watch without having to listen to Cris.”

Collinsworth, who spent eight successful seasons in the NFL as a standout wide receiver for the Bengals, has transformed his career into a highly regarded broadcasting career with NBC. He has earned accolades for his insightful commentary and ability to make complex football strategies accessible to viewers. One of his colleagues highlighted his unique ability, saying, “He has humor and understands the game on a level that’s almost unparalleled.”

With Collinsworth taking a week off, NFL fans can expect to hear from Garrett, who aims to bring his own insights to the broadcast during the AFC North showdown. As Collinsworth relaxes this holiday week, his 500-game milestone remains a significant achievement highlighted by an impressive mix of regular season games, playoff matchups, and Super Bowls.