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Bears-Packers highlights Thanksgiving tripleheader

For the second consecutive season, the AFC will be shut out of the NFL's Thanksgiving docket.

All three Thanksgiving games will pit NFC foes against each other.

While the Lions and Cowboys are locked in to the two early games by dint of tradition, the NFL has punted on the opportunity to emphasize an AFC rivalry such as Pittsburgh versus Baltimore in the prime-time game.

The Steelers and Ravens squared off in a memorable 2013 game, in large part because of Mike Tomlin's infamous interference on a Jacoby Jones kickoff return.

Let's take a quick peak at the three matchups for 2015:

Philadelphia Eagles at Detroit Lions (FOX, 12:30 p.m. ET)

The early game features a pair of teams with double-digit wins in 2014. The Eagles are one of the NFL's most fascinating teams, with a polarizing Chip Kelly bucking conventional wisdom while overhauling the roster in his image. Having replaced Ndamukong Suh with Haloti Ngata, the Lions are targeting back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time since the prime of Barry Sanders' career in 1995.

Carolina Panthers at Dallas Cowboys (CBS, 4:30 p.m. ET)

The middle game offers a showdown between two 2014 division winners. The Cowboys were perhaps the NFL's biggest surprise last season, escaping sky-is-falling preseason doom with a 12-4 record. Buoyed by wholesale changes to the offensive line and defensive backfield, the Panthers rebounded from a slow start to take the NFC South crown. Dallas will be trying to prove last season was not a fluke, while Carolina aims for a third consecutive division title.

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (NBC, 8:30 p.m. ET)

The Packers outscored the Bears 93-31 in a pair of lopsided games last season. Green Bay has dominated the NFL's oldest rivalry since Jay Cutler landed in Chicago, winning 11 of the last 13 tilts. Even with John Fox, Adam Gase and Vic Fangio providing a much needed change of scenery, the Bears will have an uphill battle to keep this one close for four quarters at the forbidding Lambeau Field.

The latest Around The NFL Podcast delves into the 2015 NFL schedule, grading the prime-time games and highlighting the Week 1 matchups. Find more Around The NFL content on NFL NOW.

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