Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce (87) celebrates with girlfriend Taylor Swift after defeating the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl LVIII at Allegiant Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Football rules Thanksgiving, as proven last Thursday when the Kansas City Chiefs and the Dallas Cowboys made television history.

57.2 million viewers tuned in to watch the dynastic Chiefs travel to play the franchise of the '90s in a matchup between two of the most talked-about sports teams in the world. The viewership broke all Thanksgiving records, becoming the largest audience ever to watch a regular-season NFL game.

The Cowboys, needing a win to salvage their season, took down the Chiefs in a nailbiter that went back and forth until the final minutes. It was the second win in a row for the Cowboys after upsetting the reigning champion Philadelphia Eagles, propelling quarterback Dak Prescott into talks for MVP consideration.

It was a day of viewership records for the NFL. The Detroit Lions vs. Green Bay Packers became the most-watched "early" Thanksgiving game, with 47.7 million viewers. And not to be outdone, the return of superstar Joe Burrow to the Cincinnati Bengals as they took down divisional rival Baltimore and Lamar Jackson was seen by an average of 28.4 million, the most for any "night" Thanksgiving game since its implementation in 2006.

Thanksgiving has been thoroughly conquered by the NFL, becoming synonymous with the November holiday. They have even taken over the Friday after, known for shopping deals across the board, with this year's Chicago Bears upsetting the Eagles.

The next voyage for the NFL will be one that no one thought they'd ever touch: Christmas. What was known for the day that basketball and the NBA owned, the NFL dipped its toe into the icy waters last year with two Christmas games and is continuing the push this year with three, including notable teams such as the record-breaking Cowboys and Chiefs.

Watch out, college football. After they take down Santa Claus, New Year's will be next on the NFL hit list. And after the numbers they pulled this year on Thanksgiving, no program or broadcast company can stop them.

This article originally appeared on Touchdown Wire: Cowboys vs. Chiefs breaks all time NFL regular season viewership record

Reporting by Tyler Erzberger, Touchdown Wire / Touchdown Wire

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