Since the beginning of time, okay maybe not that long ago, but since very early on in National Football League history, fans have been able to watch the Dallas Cowboys and Detroit Lions on Thanksgiving Day.

The Detroit Lions and Dallas Cowboys have long hosted games on Thanksgiving Day. Here is why those NFL teams are a vital part of the holiday.

The Detroit Lions have changed just about everything about their franchise in recent years, transforming from on-field laughingstock to winner to legitimate contender to, at long last, this season’s NFC Super Bowl favorite.