On Thanksgiving Day, NFL fans didn’t just get turkey and stuffing—they got a playoff thriller wrapped in gravy. Three high-stakes games on Thanksgiving Day 2025Detroit, Arlington, and Cincinnati didn’t just fill stadiums—they rewrote the postseason map. The Detroit Lions hosted the Green Bay Packers in a divisional bloodbath, while the Dallas Cowboys stunned the Kansas City Chiefs in a 31-28 shootout, and the Baltimore Ravens held off the Cincinnati Bengals to extend their winning streak to five. This wasn’t just holiday football. It was a playoff audition—and the clock is ticking.
The Lions’ Make-or-Break Moment
At Ford Field, the Detroit Lions (7-4) and Green Bay Packers (6-5) didn’t just play for pride—they played for survival. The Lions, currently ninth in the NFC, hold the tiebreaker over the Baltimore Ravens, but that’s cold comfort when your next four games include the Minnesota Vikings and Pittsburgh Steelers. A loss here? The playoff window slams shut. A win? Suddenly, they’re breathing down the necks of the San Francisco 49ers and Seattle Seahawks.
ESPN’s Ryan Clark, watching from the booth, didn’t mince words: "They’re not just playing for a wildcard spot. They’re playing to prove they belong in January." And with the Houston Texans looming on Sunday Night Football next week, Detroit’s margin for error is thinner than a slice of cranberry sauce.
Dallas vs. Kansas City: The New Rivalry
At AT&T Stadium, the Dallas Cowboys didn’t just beat the Kansas City Chiefs—they announced themselves as a legitimate Super Bowl threat. Dak Prescott connected with CeeDee Lamb and rookie Jalen Tolbert for three touchdowns, while the defense held Patrick Mahomes to just 187 passing yards—his lowest since Week 3. "Dak to Lamb/Pickens duo looks DANGEROUS," Clark declared during the live recap, and he wasn’t wrong. The Cowboys are now 8-3, and with the Philadelphia Eagles stumbling, Dallas suddenly owns the NFC East.
But here’s the twist: Kansas City’s loss doesn’t just hurt them—it helps the Denver Broncos. With the Chiefs now at 9-3, the Broncos’ path to the AFC’s top seed just got wider. If Denver beats the Washington Commanders and Las Vegas Raiders in Weeks 14 and 15, they’ll reclaim the No. 1 seed—even if they finish 15-2 alongside the New England Patriots. Why? Because the Raiders beat New England in Week 1. That one win could be the difference between a first-round bye and a wild-card grind.
Baltimore’s Quiet Domination
While Dallas got the headlines, the Baltimore Ravens were quietly building something historic. Their 27-20 win over the Cincinnati Bengals at Paycor Stadium marked their fifth straight victory—and their third win in the AFC North this season. They’ve now overtaken the Pittsburgh Steelers as division leaders, and with three straight divisional games ahead (vs. Cincinnati, at Cleveland, vs. Pittsburgh), they’re not just contending—they’re imposing.
"This isn’t luck," said NFL.com’s Ali Bhanpuri in his playoff probability report. "They’ve got the league’s most efficient offense in the red zone, and their defense is forcing turnovers at a rate not seen since 2019." The Ravens’ win also crushed Cincinnati’s playoff hopes. The Bengals, now 6-5, face a brutal final stretch: three games against teams with winning records, including a road trip to Kansas City in Week 16.
The Colts’ Impossible Schedule
Meanwhile, the Indianapolis Colts (7-4) are stuck in a nightmare. Their loss to the Chiefs dropped them one game behind Denver in the AFC, and while they hold the head-to-head tiebreaker, their remaining schedule is a gauntlet. Six straight games against playoff teams: Houston Texans, Jacksonville Jaguars, Seattle Seahawks, San Francisco 49ers, Arizona Cardinals, and Tennessee Titans. "It’s the second-hardest finish in the league," Bhanpuri noted. "They’re not just fighting for a spot—they’re fighting to stay alive."
What’s Next? The Final Five Weeks
With only five weeks left, the playoff picture is fracturing fast. The Detroit Lions need to win at least three of their final four games just to stay in the conversation. The Denver Broncos have a golden opportunity to lock up the AFC’s top seed. The Baltimore Ravens are poised to become the first team since 2019 to win five straight divisional games in a single season.
And then there’s the Green Bay Packers. A loss to Detroit doesn’t eliminate them—but it makes their path to the playoffs nearly impossible without help. Their final six games include trips to Tampa Bay and New Orleans, plus home games against the Minnesota Vikings and Chicago Bears. They’re not out yet. But they’re running out of time.
Why This Matters
Thanksgiving football isn’t just tradition—it’s a turning point. In 2025, these three games didn’t just decide who leads the standings. They exposed weaknesses, confirmed strengths, and set the tone for the final stretch. The Lions’ fate hinges on one more miracle. The Cowboys’ offense is peaking at the right time. The Ravens are becoming the team no one wants to face in January. And the Colts? They’re the team everyone forgets—until it’s too late.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does the Lions’ tiebreaker over the Ravens affect their playoff chances?
The Detroit Lions currently hold the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Baltimore Ravens, meaning if both finish 8-9, Detroit gets the playoff spot. But with only three games left, they need to win at least two—including the crucial matchup against the Houston Texans—to even reach that scenario. A loss in Week 14 could eliminate them regardless of tiebreakers.
Why is the Broncos’ path to the No. 1 seed so unusual?
Even if the Denver Broncos and New England Patriots both finish 15-2, Denver wins the top seed because of their better record against common opponents. The key? The Las Vegas Raiders beat New England in Week 1. That single win gives Denver the edge in a tiebreaker that’s rarely decisive—until now.
What’s the significance of the Ravens’ five-game winning streak?
The Baltimore Ravens haven’t won five straight divisional games since 2019. This streak has vaulted them past the Pittsburgh Steelers into first place in the AFC North. With three more divisional games ahead, they’re not just securing a playoff berth—they’re positioning themselves as a potential AFC representative in the Super Bowl.
Could the Colts still make the playoffs despite their tough schedule?
It’s possible—but unlikely. The Indianapolis Colts need to win at least five of their final six games, including road trips to San Francisco and Seattle. Even then, they’d need the Denver Broncos to lose at least twice. Their odds are under 18%, per NFL.com’s model, making them the most improbable playoff contender left.
Why did the Cowboys’ win over the Chiefs matter beyond the standings?
The Dallas Cowboys beat the Kansas City Chiefs without their top two cornerbacks. That means their offense—led by Dak Prescott and CeeDee Lamb—is now capable of outscoring the league’s best team even with a weakened defense. It’s a statement: Dallas isn’t just a playoff team. They’re a threat to win it all.
What’s the biggest surprise in the NFC playoff race?
The Green Bay Packers are now in serious danger of missing the playoffs despite having Aaron Rodgers under center. Their 6-5 record, combined with losses to the Chicago Bears and Minnesota Vikings, has exposed a fragile offensive line and inconsistent special teams. If they lose to Detroit, they’ll need to win all remaining games and get help from three other teams just to sneak in.
