Lead: The Green Bay Packers (7-3-1) visit the Detroit Lions (7-4) on Thursday, November 27, 2025, at Ford Field in Detroit with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET. The NFC North clash opens the NFL Thanksgiving tripleheader and carries significant divisional and playoff implications, with the Chicago Bears (8-4) perched atop the division. The game will air nationally on FOX, and several streaming and radio options are available for viewers and listeners across the U.S.
Key takeaways
- The game is Thursday, November 27, 2025, with a 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Ford Field in Detroit, Michigan.
- National TV: FOX holds the national telecast so the matchup is available across the United States.
- Streaming: NFL+ offers a live stream for subscribers; local viewers may be able to stream via the Detroit Lions app (subject to local rights).
- Broadcast booth: FOX’s top television team — Kevin Burkhardt, Tom Brady, Erin Andrews and Tom Rinaldi — is assigned to the game.
- Local radio: Detroit coverage on 97.1 The Ticket and Lions Radio Network affiliates with Dan Miller, Lomas Brown and T.J. Lang on the call.
- National radio: Westwood One will carry the game nationally with Jason Benetti and Ryan Leaf announcing.
- Standings context: Both teams trail the 8-4 Bears and face challenging schedules, making this divisional game especially consequential for playoff positioning.
Background
The Packers and Lions meet midway through the 2025 season, each carrying records that leave little margin for error in the NFC North. Detroit and Green Bay have alternated moments of control in recent seasons, and divisional head-to-head results often decide playoff fates. Chicago’s 8-4 mark gives the Bears a slim lead, but all three clubs face difficult remaining slates, so every matchup between them increases in importance.
Thanksgiving football is a long-standing NFL tradition and Ford Field has hosted the Lions’ home game on the holiday multiple times. The national spotlight for this matchup is heightened by the league’s decision to slot it into the early window of the three-game Thanksgiving lineup. For fans in both markets, the game represents both rivalry bragging rights and practical implications for seeding and wild-card scenarios.
Main event
The Packers will travel to Detroit on November 27 after a stretch of regular-season games that left them 7-3-1; the Lions enter at 7-4. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET, making the contest the opener of the league’s Thanksgiving tripleheader. Expect heavy national viewership given FOX’s broadcast slot and the matchup’s playoff relevance.
FOX will present the game with its lead announcing team: Kevin Burkhardt on play-by-play, Tom Brady in the booth as analyst, Erin Andrews reporting sidelines and Tom Rinaldi in features. That lineup positions the game for high-profile presentation and national feature packages throughout the broadcast. Local production elements and in-stadium atmosphere at Ford Field will complement the national feed for attendees.
For fans unable to watch on television, NFL+ provides a streaming option for subscribers. The Detroit Lions app often streams locally for fans inside the home market, though availability can vary by market and rights restrictions. Radio listeners can tune to 97.1 The Ticket or other Lions Radio Network affiliates for local calls, or Westwood One for the national radio broadcast.
Analysis & implications
This divisional matchup has outsize impact on the NFC North race. With Chicago at 8-4, a Lions or Packers win narrows the gap and could shift momentum for the final third of the season. Divisional wins carry tiebreaker weight, so the result has implications beyond the single-game standings; it can influence potential seeding and home-field considerations for the postseason.
From a roster and strategy perspective, both teams will likely emphasize complementary football: stopping the run and protecting the quarterback. Coaches typically approach Thanksgiving games with a mix of rivalry intensity and schematic adjustments designed to exploit familiar opponents. The outcome could reveal which team is better equipped for late-season pressure and playoff-style matchups.
Media exposure on a national stage also matters for both franchises. A strong performance can shift public perception, player narratives and even market confidence. For players, standout plays on a holiday showcase often reverberate in award races and highlight reels, while mistakes can complicate coaches’ personnel decisions heading into December.
Comparison & data
| Team | Record | Divisional Position |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago Bears | 8-4 | 1st |
| Green Bay Packers | 7-3-1 | 2nd |
| Detroit Lions | 7-4 | 3rd |
The table above shows the narrow margins separating the division leaders. With multiple intra-division matchups remaining, each result has amplified importance. Analysts will watch turnover margins, red-zone efficiency and injury reports after this game for clearer projections about playoff scenarios.
Reactions & quotes
“This contest will be nationally televised on FOX, bringing broad attention to both clubs on Thanksgiving Day.”
FOX Sports schedule (broadcast notice)
That scheduling note underscores the national reach of the matchup and why broadcasters assigned top-tier talent to the telecast.
“Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, Nov. 27, at Ford Field in Detroit.”
Detroit Lions official schedule
The team calendar confirms the kickoff time and venue, important details for planning in-person attendance and pregame coverage.
“Westwood One will carry the game nationally with its radio team on call for listeners across the country.”
Westwood One programming notice
National radio carriage ensures fans without TV access can still follow play-by-play and commentary.
Unconfirmed
- Exact Lions app availability for every local viewer: team apps sometimes impose market-based restrictions; availability may vary by zip code or provider.
- Last-minute broadcast personnel changes: the listed FOX announcing team is scheduled but subject to change due to unforeseen circumstances.
- Possible local simulcast arrangements with regional sports networks: additional local carriage beyond FOX and the Lions app has not been finalized publicly.
Bottom line
This Thanksgiving’s Packers-Lions tilt on Nov. 27, 2025, is more than a holiday tradition: it’s a pivotal NFC North showdown with playoff implications for both 7-win clubs chasing an 8-4 Bears leader. With a 1 p.m. ET kickoff at Ford Field and a national FOX telecast, the game will command wide attention from analysts, bettors and fans alike.
Plan to watch on FOX if you want the national telecast; subscribe to NFL+ for streaming access or check the Detroit Lions app if you’re in the local market. Radio listeners can tune locally to 97.1 The Ticket or nationally via Westwood One. Given the narrow divisional margins, the result on Thanksgiving could reverberate through the final stretch of the season.
Sources
- Pride Of Detroit — game information and viewing details (local sports coverage)
- NFL — official schedule and NFL+ service information (official league site)
- FOX Sports — national broadcast listings (broadcaster)
- Detroit Lions — official team schedule and app details (team/official)
- Westwood One — national radio programming (broadcaster)
- 97.1 The Ticket — Detroit radio affiliate listings (local radio)