In America, fall Sundays are for pro football. As are Monday nights, of course.
And now, those who aren’t die-hard football fans — but have a spouse, parents or friends who are — can scratch Thursday night off the social calendar as well. Thursday night N.F.L. football, once a rarity, has gradually become a regular part of the national viewing landscape.
The N.F.L. has always played games on Thanksgiving. And through the early years of the league, a game would be played now and again on nonholiday Thursdays.
But in the 21st century, the occasional Thursday game turned into five per year, then seven.