It’s the New England Patriots vs Minnesota Vikings tonight at U.S. Bank Stadium in a special Thanksgiving edition of Sunday Night Football. Live coverage begins at 8:00 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock. See below for additional information on how to watch the game and the entire Thanksgiving lineup.
RELATED: 2022 Thanksgiving Day NFL schedule – Kickoff times, games, who is playing, TV channels
The Vikings are coming off a crushing loss to the Dallas Cowboys Week 11. Minnesota put up just three points in the 40-3 blowout, which snapped their seven-game win streak. The good news? The Vikings are still 8-2 with a commanding lead atop the faltering NFC North. Meanwhile the Patriots bested the Jets in a low-scoring 10-3 affair that featured a thrilling punt return TD from Marcus Jones to win it.
RELATED: When did the Thanksgiving Day NFL tradition start? Lions, Bears, Cowboys history and games
New England Patriots
Mac Jones and the New England Patriots are hoping to earn the franchise’s first playoff win since hoisting up the Lombardi Trophy in February 2019 but just making the postseason will be a challenge as the team currently sits third in the AFC East, a remarkably competitive division this year and one of just two where all four teams are above .500. Jones, who finished second in Offensive Rookie of the Year voting last season, has struggled this year, throwing just four TD passes and seven interceptions in his seven starts. The second-year QB has a 4-3 record this season after missing weeks 4-6 with a high ankle sprain. It’s been trial by fire for rookie 4th-round pick Bailey Zappe who’s proven to be a reliable backup, winning crucial games in Weeks 5 and 6.
The Patriots have relied heavily on the run game, specifically the running back duo of Rhamondre Stevenson and Damien Harris. Stevenson has a team-high 5 touchdowns (4 rushing, 1 receiving), while Harris is tied for second on the team with a total of 3 rushing touchdowns.
Minnesota Vikings
With new head coach Kevin O’Connell and GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah leading the charge this season, Kirk Cousins and the Minnesota Vikings look to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2019. The Vikings, currently 8-2 and the only team in the NFC North with a winning record, are on the path to earning their first division title since 2017.
Cousins, WR Justin Jefferson, and RB Dalvin Cook have been carrying the offense all season. Cousins has a completion percentage of 63.4%, with 2,461 passing yards, and 14 pass touchdowns while Jefferson ranks 2nd in the league with 1,093 receiving yards this season (despite being held to just 33 in the Week 11 loss). Cook has 156 carries, 799 rush yards, and has scored 6 rushing touchdowns this season. This trio and the entire Vikings squad will hope to celebrate Thanksgiving with a bounceback win in primetime over New England.
RELATED: Justin Jefferson on pace for NFL’s first 2,000-yard receiving season
2022 NFL Thanksgiving Day History:
When was the last time the New England Patriots played on Thanksgiving?
The New England Patriots are making their first Thanksgiving Day appearance in 10 years. The team last played against the New York Jets in 2012–the game notoriously known for former QB Mark Sanchez’s “butt fumble”–New England won 49-19. Thursday night’s game marks New England’s sixth NFL Thanksgiving appearance.
New England Patriots Thanksgiving Record (3-2):
- 1984 – Lost 20-17 against Dallas
- 2000 – Lost 34-9 against Detroit
- 2002 – Won 20-12 against Detroit
- 2010 – Won 45-24 against Detroit
- 2012 – Won 49-19 against New York Jets
When was the last time the Minnesota Vikings played on Thanksgiving?
The Minnesota Vikings are playing in their first Thanksgiving game since 2017 when they defeated the Detroit Lions 30-23. Thursday night’s game will be the Vikings’ first time hosting a Thanksgiving game and will mark the franchise’s ninth NFL Thanksgiving appearance.
Minnesota Vikings Thanksgiving Record (6-2):
- 1969 – Won 27-0 against Detroit
- 1987 – Won 44 -38 in OT against Dallas
- 1988 – Won 23-0 against Detroit
- 1995 – Lost 44-38 against Detroit
- 1998 – Won 46-36 against Dallas
- 2000 – Won 27-15 against Dallas
- 2016 – Lost 16-13 against Detroit
- 2017 – Won 30-23 against Detroit
How to watch the New England Patriots vs Minnesota Vikings:
- Where: U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota
- When: Thursday, November 24
- Start Time: 8:20 p.m. ET; live coverage begins at 7:00 p.m. ET with Football Night In America
- TV Channel: NBC
- Stream live: Watch live on Peacock or with the NBC Sports App
What time is kickoff for the New England Patriots vs Minnesota Vikings game?
Kickoff is at 8:20 p.m. ET.
RELATED: 2022 Sunday Night Football Schedule: TV channel, live stream info, NFL schedule
For all your tailgating needs for the 2022 Fall season, click here!
Football Night in America will feature a weekly segment hosted by former NFL quarterback Chris Simms and sports betting and fantasy pioneer Matthew Berry, which highlights storylines and betting odds for the upcoming Sunday Night Football game on NBC, Peacock, and Universo. Real-time betting odds on the scoring ticker during FNIA also will be showcased. Peacock Sunday Night Football Final, an NFL postgame show produced by NBC Sports, will also go deep on the storylines and BetMGM betting lines that proved prominent during the matchup.
RELATED: When did the Thanksgiving Day NFL tradition start? Lions, Bears, Cowboys history and games
Thanksgiving Day schedule on NBC and Peacock
Patriots-Vikings is the capper on a fun-filled Thanksgiving Thursday, and just part of the Big Event weekend across NBC and Peacock. See below for the full schedule of some traditional favorites, as well as new and exciting highlights to keep you entertained the whole holiday weekend:
Thursday at 9am ET: Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on NBC and Peacock
Thursday at 12pm ET: The National Dog Show on NBC and Peacock
Thursday at 8pm ET: Sunday Night Football NFL Thanksgiving Special – Patriots vs Vikings
Friday at 1:30pm ET: Copa Mundial – England vs USA en Español on Telemundo and Peacock
Saturday at 7pm ET: WWE Survivor Series War Games on Peacock
Sunday at 7pm ET: Sunday Night Football – Packers vs Eagles on NBC and Peacock
How to watch Sunday Night Football on Peacock:
If you have access to NBC via your TV provider, you can watch Sunday Night Football on your TV or with a TV provider login on the NBC Sports app, NBC app, or via NBCSports.com. Check your local listings to find your NBC channel. If you can’t find NBC in your channel lineup, please contact your TV provider.
RELATED: What to know about Super Bowl 2023 – Date, location, halftime performance info, and much more
If you don’t have access to NBC via your TV provider, you can stream Sunday Night Football on Peacock with a $4.99/month Peacock Premium plan. Sign up here or, if you already have a free Peacock account, go to your Account settings to upgrade or change your existing plan.
Please note that selection of a Premium plan will result in a charge which will recur on a monthly or annual basis until you cancel, depending on your plan. You can cancel your Premium plan at any time in your Account.
RELATED: 2022 NFL Regular Season Schedule – How to Watch, Live Stream, Dates, Times, Matchups
Follow along with ProFootballTalk for the latest news, storylines, and updates surrounding the 2022 NFL Season, and be sure to subscribe to NFLonNBC on YouTube!
