If it seems like the Dallas Cowboysalways play on Thanksgiving, well, that's because they do.The Cowboys' annual tradition of playing on the American holiday, which began in 1966, originated as something of a publicity stunt for America's Team. Following the Lions' lead from decades earlier, the concept became an immediate succe s and the Cowboys have been a Turkey Day fixture ever since, with a few exceptions.Here's a brief history le son, plus a full list of past games and how to watch the 2021version while stuffing your face with turkey and pie.Why do the Cowboys always play on Thanksgiving?The Cowboys' tradition of playing on Thanksgiving started when then-general manager Tex Schramm signedup for the holiday game in 1966.Schramm sought more national publicity and sawThanksgivingas a way to boost nationalattention from football fans in and out of Dallas. The NFL was worried about attendance forthe game because the Cowboys had been struggling Mark Lowe Jersey underhead coach Tom Landry. Just in case no one showed up, the NFL guaranteed the Cowboys a certain gate revenue.It turned out the NFL had nothing to worry about. The Cowboys broke their franchise attendance record as 80,259 fans watched the team beat the Browns at the Cotton Bowl.The Cowboys have played on Thanksgiving every year since except two. In 1975 and 1977, the NFL awardedThanksgiving games to the St. Louis Cardinals instead in anattempt to boost that franchise's national exposure. The Cowboys had been constant Super Bowl contenders, so the NFL wanted to give another team the chance to be broadcaston a national level.The Cardinals lost both games and the Cowboys reclaimed the tradition in 1978, sharing the day with the Lions.Detroit has first dibs with the early kickoff every year ar12:30 p.m. ET, so it'scustom for the Cowboys to play in the late-afternoon game that follows.In 2006, the NFL decided to add Justin Turner Jersey a third game in prime time, because why stop at just two holiday games?Who dothe Cowboys play on Thanksgiving in 2021?The Cowboys play the Raiders this year. It's the thirdtime in history these two franchises play head-to-head on Thanksgiving. Dallas won both times, includingthe most recent matchup in 2013, 31-24. Las Vegasis 3-3all time in Thanksgiving games.What channel is the Cowboys vs. Raiders game on?Fox will broadcast Cowboys vs. Raiders this year Chris Taylor Jersey . Kickoff is scheduled for4:30 p.m. ET the second game of the day,as per tradition.Cowboys' all-timerecord on ThanksgivingThe Cowboys are 31-21-1 playing on Thanksgiving in franchise history.YearOpponentResult1966Cleveland BrownsW, 26-141967St. Louis CardinalsW, 46-211968Washington RedskinsW, 29-201969San Francisco 49ersT, 24-241970Green Bay PackersW, 16-31971Los Angeles RamsW, 28-211972San Francisco 49ersL, 31-101973Miami DolphinsL, 14-71974Washington RedskinsW, 24-231976St. Louis CardinalsW, 19-141978Washington RedskinsW, 37-101979Houston OilersL, 30-241980Seattle SeahawksW, 51-71981Chicago BearsW, 10-91982Cleveland BrownsW, 31-141983St. Louis CardinalsW, Clayton Kershaw Jersey 35-171984New England PatriotsW, 20-171985St. Louis CardinalsW, 35-171986Seattle SeahawksW, 31-141987Minnesota VikingsL, 44-38 (OT)1988Houston OilersL, 25-171989Philadelphia EaglesL, 27-01990Washington RedskinsW, 27-171991Pittsburgh SteelersW, 20-101992New York GiantsW, 30-31993Miami DolphinsL, 16-141994Green Bay PackersW, 42-311995Kansas City ChiefsW, 24-121996Washington RedskinsW, 21-101997Tenne see TitansL, 27-141998Minnesota VikingsL, 46-361999Miami DolphinsW, 20-02000Minnesota VikingsL, 27-152001Denver BroncosL, 26-242002Washington RedskinsW, 27-202003Miami DolphinsL, 40-212004Chicago BearsW, 21-72005Denver BroncosL, 24-21 (OT)2006Tampa Bay BuccaneersW, 38-102007New York JetsW, 34-32008Seattle SeahawksW, 34-92009Oakland RaidersW, 24-72010New Orleans SaintsL, 30-272011Miami DolphinsW, 20-192012Washington RedskinsL, 38-312013Oakland RaidersW, 31-242014Philadelphia EaglesL, 33-102015Carolina PanthersL, 33-142016Washington RedskinsW, 31-262017Los Angeles ChargersL, 28-62018Washington RedskinsW, 31-232019Buffalo BillsL, 26-152020Washington Football TeamL, 41-16Notable games:1989 The Eagles beat the Cowboys 27-0, but the story of the game was that allegations had come out that the Eagles had placed a bounty on the Cowboys' kicker.1993 In a rare snowy game in Texas, the Cowboys had a 14-13lead overtheDolphinswith just seconds remaining. Dolphins kicker PeteStoyanovichattempted a game-winning 40-yard field goal that was blocked by the Cowboys'Jimmie Jones. Once Yasiel Puig Jersey the ball stopped moving, the play would be ruled dead and the Cowboys would get the ball back, ready to line up in victory formation. But Cowboys linemanLeon Lett botched the play, and he fell as he tried to grab the ball,knocking it forward andgiving the Dolphins the opportunity to recover it on the 2-yard line. The Dolphins kicked a chip shot field goal and won the game 16-14.1994 Troy Aikmanwas injured, and third-string quarterbackJason Garrett (now the Cowboys' head coach) had to start for Dallasagainst theGreen Bay Packers. The Cowboys won in a 4231 shootout against Packers quarterback Brett Favre.