Here Is the NFL Schedule for Christmas Day
For years, Christmas Day was the domain of the NBA. Pro basketball dominated the American sports scene on Dec. 25, with marquee matchups all day and night.
However, over the last decade or so, the NFL has been making inroads on the holiday. The league will play on Christmas today for the sixth year in a row, and for the third time in the last four years, will broadcast a tripleheader.
Here's a look at what games are on and when. Note: you'll need to be able to stream all of these contests.
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders (1 p.m. ET, Netflix)
When the schedule makers set this matchup for Christmas Day, they expected another installment of a legendary rivalry with massive playoff implications.
Instead, both teams have already been eliminated from postseason contention. The Commanders (4-11) are enduring a nightmare season after last year's magical run to the NFC Championship Game, and the Cowboys (6-8-1) saw their playoff hopes collapse with a three-game losing streak they'll be looking to snap in this game.
Jayden Daniels' season is already done for Washington, and backup Marcus Mariota is now banged up, which means it might be journeyman Josh Johnson starting against the Cowboys, who have a 56.9% chance of winning this one, per ESPN FPI.
Ian Eagle will handle play-by-play for Netflix, with former NFL standouts Matt Ryan and Nate Burleson providing analysis.
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings (4:30 p.m. ET, Netflix)
In 2024, these two teams went a combined 29-5 in the regular season. This year, they are an even 15-15, with the 8-7 Lions hanging onto their playoff hopes by a string and the 7-8 Vikings already eliminated.
Minnesota has won three games in a row, but will have their work cut out for them in this one with undrafted rookie Max Brosmer starting at quarterback. Brosmer played well after replacing injured starter J.J. McCarthy in last week's 16-13 win over the New York Giants, but struggled immensely in his first pro start, a 26-0 loss to Seattle in Week 13.
The Lions, who have dropped two straight close games to the Los Angeles Rams and Pittsburgh Steelers, must win out and get some help in order to reach the playoffs for the third consecutive season. Detroit is heavily favored, according to ESPN FPI.
Noah Eagle is on play-by-play duties for Netflix in this game, with the legendary Drew Brees on analysis.
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs (8 p.m. ET, Amazon Prime Video)
Today's nightcap looked like it was going to be a powerhouse meeting between the Chiefs, the NFL's premier franchise over the last decade, and the Broncos, a longtime rival pushing for the AFC's No. 1 seed.
Instead, while Denver (12-3) is still in the running for the top spot in the conference, Kansas City (6-9) will miss the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and has clinched its first losing season in 13 years.
Superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes is done with a torn ACL, and his backup Gardner Minshew also suffered a knee injury last week and will miss tonight's game. Instead, Chris Oladokun, a former seventh-round pick of the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022, will make his first career start after throwing four interceptions in relief of Minshew last week.
The Broncos have a 56.1% chance of winning, per ESPN FPI, and that honestly seems way-too-low. The usual Amazon Prime Video team of Al Michaels (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (game analyst) will be on the call.