If that sounds familiar, it should, because for decades the Lions and Cowboys have always hosted N.F.L. games on Thanksgiving. The Cowboys have played a home game on that day all but two years since 1966, and the Lions’ streak goes back uninterrupted to 1945.

Detroit is the best team in the NFL, a covering machine, and it has a +177 point differential, which is 71 higher than the next team (Eagles). Of its last eight games (8-0), only two of them have come by single digits. The Bears and Lions are tied for third in the NFL in turnover margin (+9) and weirdly, Chicago is 4-7.