NFL Hall of Famer turned analyst Terry Bradshaw’s blend of odd humor and bold football analysis played a small role in posting record-breaking ratings for FOX NFL Sunday’s Thanksgiving broadcast. The Dallas Cowboys’ 27-20 victory over the New York Giants produced an audience of 38.5 million viewers, marking one of the most-watched Thanksgiving games in history and the most-viewed NFL telecast across all networks this year.

Bradshaw juiced up NFL fans during the pregame show by suggesting to the NFL on FOX crew that backup quarterback Cooper Rush should remain the Cowboys’ starter even after Dak Prescott is cleared to return. Prescott had season-ending surgery on his hamstring after playing through eight games and earning a 3-5 record.

Rush filled in for Prescott and delivered a steady performance, throwing for 195 yards and a touchdown. Kicker Brandon Aubrey chipped in with nine points to seal the Cowboys’ win after the team converted 7-of-15 red zone attempts with a 50 percent success rate in the red zone.

FOX Sports PR said the broadcast peaked at 41.3 million viewers between 6:00 and 6:15 PM ET. It was the same time that Dallas turned the ball over to New York, Giants QB Drew Lock was sacked to end the half, and a halftime performance was given by country singer Lainey Wilson accompanied by Jelly Roll.

Nielsen Media Research reported a 14 percent increase in viewership compared to last year’s Thanksgiving game. The event is now the most-watched telecast on any network since Super Bowl LVIII. The day’s success was planned strategically for the Thanksgiving edition of FOX NFL Sunday. Viewers witnessed a star-studded lineup, including Tom Brady joining Kevin Burkhardt live from Dallas and Grammy Award-winning musician Jon Batiste sharing a special announcement.

Brady made headlines for tasting the traditional turducken made famous by John Madden in 1996. “That’s too amazing,” said the seven-time Super Bowl winner after tasting the NFL delicacy for the first time. Micah Parsons won Thanksgiving MVP honors and took a shot at the team’s critics, which also boosted ratings.

The Dallas Cowboys eat turkey legs

The Cowboys defeated the Giants 27-20 ( 

Image:

Getty)

Celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay added value to the broadcast by learning to prepare the legendary turducken while Allison Gandlin, the 2024 Flag Football Player of the Year, and Giants offensive assistant Angela Baker discussed the growing influence of women’s flag football on the NFL. Jay Glazer rounded out the pregame festivities with his popular “Ins and Outs” segment.

FOX’s coverage with Bradshaw has created several memorable NNFL broadcast moments this season, making the show nearly unmissable before gamedays. The network will feature five games during Week 13, including an NFC South matchup between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Carolina Panthers.