The Kansas City Chiefs (6-5) will face the Dallas Cowboys (5-5-1) on Thursday, at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. This Thanksgiving Day matchup kicks off at 4:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast nationally on CBS, with streaming available on Paramount+ and Fubo.
The Chiefs enter as 3.5-point favorites with a total point over/under of 52, reflecting high expectations for a shootout between two top-5 offenses. Both teams are in playoff contention—Kansas City with a 57% chance and Dallas at 14%—adding stakes to what could be a pivotal Week 13 clash.
📺Expected TV Ratings and Viewership
This game is poised to shatter records as the most-watched NFL regular-season game in history, driven by the star power of Patrick Mahomes and Dak Prescott, the teams' massive fanbases, the prime Thanksgiving slot, and playoff implications.
Key factors boosting viewership:
- Chiefs' Dynasty Appeal: Kansas City has been the NFL's premier draw since 2020, with a 72-23 regular-season record and four Super Bowl appearances in five years. Their games frequently top ratings charts.
- Cowboys' "America's Team" Status: Dallas remains a perennial ratings juggernaut, especially at home on holidays.
- Competitive Matchup: Unlike lopsided blowouts, a close game (projected scores like Chiefs 28-24 or Cowboys 30-27) keeps viewers locked in.
While exact numerical projections aren't universally published yet, the consensus from media previews is a viewership north of 30 million, potentially pushing toward 35 million if the game stays tight into the fourth quarter. For context, the 2024 Thanksgiving tripleheader averaged around 25-30 million per game, but this slate's headliner eclipses those due to the matchup's hype.