If it seems like the Detroit Lions always play on Thanksgiving, well, that's because they do.

The Lions' annual tradition of playing on the American holiday, which began in 1934, is nearly as old as the franchise itself. In fact, they're the biggest reason why football and Thanksgiving are synonymous, even if the Lions haven't enjoyed as much success on the holiday as other franchises.

Here's a brief history lesson, plus a full list of past games and how to watch the 2019 version while stuffing your face with turkey and pie.

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Why do the Lions always play on Thanksgiving?

It all started on Thanksgiving Day in 1934, when owner George A. Richards decided to play on the holiday to attract more fans.

Richards was known for his marketing acumen, and his Thanksgiving plan was an immediate hit. The Lions at the time weren't attracting much of a crowd because the Detroit Tigers were the city's main sports attraction. But on that Thanksgiving, the Lions not only sold out the stadium, they also had to turn people away at the gates.

The Lions lost to the Bears, but a new team tradition was born.

Other teams had played on Thanksgiving before 1934, but the Lions were different because Richards owned a radio station that was a major affiliate of the NBC Blue Network. Richards negotiated an agreement with NBC to broadcast his Thanksgiving games on 94 stations across the country.

Since 1978, the Lions and Cowboys have hosted a game on Thanksgiving every year. Detroit always plays the early game, followed by Dallas in the late afternoon and a rotating prime-time matchup added in 2006.

Who plays the Lions on Thanksgiving in 2019?

The Lions plays the Bears for a second consecutive year. Chicago won the 2018 meeting, 23-16.

The Bears are 18-15-2 all time in Thanksgiving games. Their 35 appearances on the holiday are fourth in the NFL behind the Lions, Cowboys and Packers.

What channel is the Lions vs. Bears game on?

CBS will broadcast Lions vs. Bears this year. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET — the first game of the day, as per tradition.

Lions' all-time record on Thanksgiving

The Lions are 37-40-2 playing on Thanksgiving in franchise history.

Year Opponent Result 1934 Chicago Bears L, 19-16 1935 Chicago Bears W, 14-2 1936 Chicago Bears W, 13-7 1937 Chicago Bears L, 13-0 1938 Chicago Bears W, 14-7 1945 Cleveland Rams L, 28-21 1946 Boston Yanks L, 34-10 1947 Chicago Bears L, 34-14 1948 Chicago Cards L, 28-14 1949 Chicago Bears L, 28-7 1950 New York Yanks W, 49-14 1951 Green Bay Packers W, 52-35 1952 Green Bay Packers W, 48-24 1953 Green Bay Packers W, 34-15 1954 Green Bay Packers W, 28-24 1955 Green Bay Packers W, 24-10 1956 Green Bay Packers L, 24-20 1957 Green Bay Packers W, 18-6 1958 Green Bay Packers W, 24-14 1959 Green Bay Packers L, 24-17 1960 Green Bay Packers W, 23-10 1961 Green Bay Packers L, 17-9 1962 Green Bay Packers W, 26-14 1963 Green Bay Packers T, 13-13 1964 Chicago Bears L, 27-24 1965 Baltimore Colts T, 24-24 1966 San Francisco 49ers L, 41-14 1967 Los Angeles Rams L, 31-7 1968 Philadelphia Eagles L, 12-0 1969 Minnesota Vikings L, 27-0 1970 Oakland Raiders W, 28-14 1971 Kansas City Chiefs W, 32-21 1972 New York Jets W, 37-20 1973 Washington Redskins L, 20-0 1974 Denver Broncos L, 31-27 1975 Los Angeles Rams L, 20-0 1976 Buffalo Bills W, 27-14 1977 Chicago Bears L, 31-14 1978 Denver Broncos W, 17-14 1979 Chicago Bears W, 20-0 1980 Chicago Bears L, 23-17 (OT) 1981 Kansas City Chiefs W, 27-10 1982 New York Giants L, 13-6 1983 Pittsburgh Steelers W, 45-3 1984 Green Bay Packers W, 31-28 1985 New York Jets W, 31-20 1986 Green Bay Packers L, 44-40 1987 Kansas City Chiefs L, 27-20 1988 Minnesota Vikings L, 23-0 1989 Cleveland Browns W, 13-10 1990 Denver Broncos W, 40-27 1991 Chicago Bears W, 16-6 1992 Houston Texans L, 24-21 1993 Chicago Bears L, 10-6 1994 Buffalo Bills W, 35-21 1995 Minnesota Vikings W, 44-38 1996 Kansas City Chiefs L, 28-24 1997 Chicago Bears W, 55-20 1998 Pittsburgh Steelers W, 19-16 (OT) 1999 Chicago Bears W, 21-17 2000 New England Patriots W, 34-9 2001 Green Bay Packers L, 29-27 2002 New England Patriots L, 20-12 2003 Green Bay Packers W, 22-14 2004 Indianapolis Colts L, 41-9 2005 Atlanta Falcons L, 27-7 2006 Miami Dolphins L, 27-10 2007 Green Bay Packers L, 37-26 2008 Tennessee Titans L, 47-10 2009 Green Bay Packers L, 34-12 2010 New England Patriots L, 45-24 2011 Green Bay Packers L, 27-15 2012 Houston Texans L, 34-31 (OT) 2013 Green Bay Packers W, 40-10 2014 Chicago Bears W, 34-17 2015 Philadelphia Eagles W, 45-14 2016 Minnesota Vikings W, 16-13 2017 Minnesota Vikings L, 30-23 2018 Chicago Bears L, 23-16

Notable games:

1962 — The Lions gave the Green Bay Packers their only loss that season. Green Bay finished 13-1 and won its second consecutive NFL championship.

1980 — The Lions and Bears were tied 17-17 at the end of regulation. It was the first Thanksgiving game to go into overtime, and when Bears running back Dave Williams returned the OT kickoff for a touchdown, it also became the shortest overtime at 13 seconds — a regular-season record that stands today.

1986 — The Lions and Packers played the highest-scoring game in Thanksgiving history to date, 44-40, with Green Bay taking the W.

2008 — The 10-1 Titans beat the 0-11 Lions 47-10, one of the biggest point differentials in Thanksgiving history. The Lions finished the season 0-16.