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{{About|general NFL games on Christmas|games airing under NFL Christmas Special branding|NFL Network Exclusive Game Series}}
{{About|general NFL games on Christmas|games airing under NFL Christmas Special branding|NFL Network Exclusive Game Series}}


Games held by the [[National Football League]] (NFL) on [[Christmas Day]], December 25, are an occasional part of the league's schedule. In contrast to [[NFL on Thanksgiving Day|Thanksgiving Day games]], however, they are not an annual occurrence, since [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]] is always on a Thursday while Christmas can fall at any day of the week. The NFL held two [[NFL playoffs|Divisional Playoff]] games on Christmas Day in {{nfly|1971}} when the [[NFL regular season|regular season]] only spanned a 14-week period. This proved unpopular, and the league avoided any more games on Christmas Day until {{nfly|1989}}. Since then, the NFL has occasionally held games on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day in some years, as part of week 16 or 17 of the regular season.
Games held by the [[National Football League]] (NFL) on Christmas Day, December 25, was historically an occasional part of the league's schedule, but has been an annual occurrence since {{nfly|2020}}. The NFL had avoided annual Christmas Day games because the holiday could fall on a day in which the league does not normally schedule games, in contrast to [[NFL on Thanksgiving Day|Thanksgiving Day games]] since [[Thanksgiving (United States)|Thanksgiving]] is always on a Thursday. The NFL held two [[NFL playoffs|Divisional Playoff]] games on Christmas Day in {{nfly|1971}} when the [[NFL regular season|regular season]] only spanned a 14-week period. This proved unpopular, and the league avoided Christmas Day games until {{nfly|1989}} to {{nfly|2019}}, when the NFL typically scheduled games on Christmas Day if it fell on a Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. Beginning in {{nfly|2020}}, the league has scheduled at least one Christmas game every season, even when the holiday falls on a day in which the NFL does not usually schedule games.


As of the end of the [[2022 NFL season|2022 season]], there have been 27 Christmas Day games in the NFL's history, all broadcast nationally. Two games were played each Christmas Day from {{nfly|2004}} to {{nfly|2006}}, {{nfly|2016}} to {{nfly|2017}}, and {{nfly|2021}}. In {{nfly|2022}}, three games were scheduled, and three games will be scheduled again in {{nfly|2023}}.
As of the end of the [[2024 NFL season|2024 season]], there have been 32 Christmas Day games in the NFL's history, all broadcast nationally. Two games were scheduled each Christmas Day from {{nfly|2004}} to {{nfly|2006}}, {{nfly|2016}} to {{nfly|2017}}, {{nfly|2021}}, and {{nfly|2024}}. Three games were scheduled from {{nfly|2022}} to {{nfly|2023}}.


The NFL has typically scheduled games on Christmas Day if it falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. When Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, then it would just be part of the normal slate of the handful of [[National Football League on television#Saturday NFL games|Saturday NFL games]] held during the final weeks of every regular season. If Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, then the normal slate of Sunday afternoon games is instead played on Saturday, Christmas Eve, and one of the Christmas Day games will include the standard ''[[NBC Sunday Night Football|Sunday Night Football]]'' telecast. When Christmas Day falls on a Monday, the normal slate of Sunday afternoon games is still played on Christmas Eve, and ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' on Christmas night, but the ''Sunday Night Football'' telecast has been moved to either Monday afternoon or to Saturday, December 23. There have been rare instances of Christmas Day games held on a Friday.
If Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, then the normal slate of Sunday afternoon games is instead played on Saturday, Christmas Eve, and one of the Christmas Day games will include the standard ''[[NBC Sunday Night Football|Sunday Night Football]]'' telecast. When Christmas Day falls on a Monday, the normal slate of Sunday afternoon games is still played on Christmas Eve, and ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' on Christmas night, but the ''Sunday Night Football'' telecast has been moved to either Monday afternoon or to Saturday, December 23.


==History==
==History==
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===1971 Divisional Playoffs===
===1971 Divisional Playoffs===
The first NFL games actually played on December 25 came after the merger, during the [[1971–72 NFL playoffs]]. The first two games of the Divisional Playoff Round were held on Christmas Day; the first of these was between the [[1971 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] and the [[1971 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]], while the second of the two contests played that afternoon, the [[1971 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] versus the [[1971 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]], wound up being [[1971–72 NFL playoffs#AFC: Miami Dolphins 27, Kansas City Chiefs 24 (2OT)|the longest game in NFL history]].<ref>[http://www.profootballhof.com/history/story.jsp?story_id=634 Ho Ho Ho! The NFL on Christmas History]</ref> Because of the length of the latter game, the NFL received numerous complaints, reportedly due to the fact that it caused havoc with Christmas dinners around the nation. The league also came under fire from some quarters for intruding on a traditional religious and family holiday, and a Kansas state legislator proposed a bill to ban the scheduling of future games on December 25.<ref>{{cite news|title=NFL Playoffs on Christmas Draw Protests Across Land|work=The Los Angeles Times|date=1971-12-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=The football grinch who stole Christmas|work=The Christian Science Monitor|last=Eldridge|first=Larry|date=1971-12-22}}</ref> As a result, the NFL decided to not schedule any Christmas Day games for the next 17 seasons.
The first NFL games actually played on December 25 came after the merger, during the [[1971–72 NFL playoffs]]. The first two games of the Divisional Playoff Round were held on Christmas Day; the first of these was between the [[1971 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] and the [[1971 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]], while the second of the two contests played that afternoon, the [[1971 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] versus the [[1971 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]], wound up being [[1971–72 NFL playoffs#AFC: Miami Dolphins 27, Kansas City Chiefs 24 (2OT)|the longest game in NFL history]].<ref>[http://www.profootballhof.com/history/story.jsp?story_id=634 Ho Ho Ho! The NFL on Christmas History]</ref> Because of the length of the latter game, the NFL received numerous complaints, reportedly due to the fact that it caused havoc with Christmas dinners around the nation. The NFL also came under fire from some quarters for intruding on a traditional religious and family holiday, and a Kansas state legislator proposed a bill to ban the scheduling of future games on December 25.<ref>{{cite news|title=NFL Playoffs on Christmas Draw Protests Across Land|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|date=1971-12-17}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=The football grinch who stole Christmas|work=The Christian Science Monitor|last=Eldridge|first=Larry|date=1971-12-22}}</ref> As a result, the NFL decided to not schedule any Christmas Day games for the next 17 seasons.


===Avoiding Christmas===
===1972–1988: Avoiding Christmas Day===
This required considerable effort during those years in which Christmas Day fell on a Saturday or a Sunday, given that ordinarily those days would be days in which [[NFL playoffs|NFL playoff]] games were to be held.
This required considerable effort during those years in which Christmas Day fell on a Saturday or a Sunday, given that ordinarily those days would be days in which [[NFL playoffs|NFL playoff]] games were to be held.


In {{nfly|1976}}, the NFL opened its regular season a week earlier than would have ordinarily been the case (September 12, the second Sunday of the month, rather than the customary third Sunday) so that the Divisional Playoffs could be held on December 18 and 19 instead of December 25 and 26, and thus no games would be needed on Saturday, December 25 ([[Super Bowl XI]] was subsequently played on January 9, the earliest date in [[Super Bowl]] history).
In {{nfly|1976}}, the NFL opened its regular season a week earlier than would have ordinarily been the case (September 12, the second Sunday of the month, rather than the customary third Sunday) so that the Divisional Playoffs could be held on December 18 and 19 instead of December 25 and 26, and thus no games would be needed on Saturday, December 25 ([[Super Bowl XI]] was subsequently played on January 9, the earliest date in [[Super Bowl]] history).


In {{nfly|1977}}, with Christmas Day falling on a Sunday, the Divisional Playoff Games were held around the holiday, with an AFC doubleheader on Saturday, December 24, and an NFC doubleheader on Monday, December 26. This was done so that one team did not have a two-day rest advantage over the other for the Conference Championship games (the NFL only allowed one-day rest advantages). This scheduling resulted in most of the country missing the majority of the first quarter of the [[1977 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]–[[1977 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] game telecast (beginning at 4:00 p.m. EST), since the early AFC game that Saturday ([[1977 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]]–[[1977 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]], beginning at 12:30 p.m. EST) went into double overtime; with an ordinary schedule of one game from each conference, viewers would have had the option of switching channels (or using a VCR) but in this case [[NBC]] simply stayed with the Raiders–Colts game (except in the Pittsburgh and Denver markets) and had to overlap its telecasts.
In {{nfly|1977}}, with Christmas Day falling on a Sunday, the Divisional Playoff Games were held around the holiday, with an AFC doubleheader on Saturday, December 24, and an NFC doubleheader on Monday, December 26. This was done so that one team did not have a two-day rest advantage over the other for the Conference Championship games (the NFL only allowed one-day rest advantages). This scheduling resulted in most of the country missing the majority of the first quarter of the [[1977 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]–[[1977 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]] game telecast (beginning at 4:00&nbsp;p.m. EST), since the early AFC game that Saturday ([[1977 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]]–[[1977 Baltimore Colts season|Baltimore Colts]], beginning at 12:30&nbsp;p.m. EST) went into double overtime; with an ordinary schedule of one game from each conference, viewers would have had the option of switching channels (or using a VCR) but in this case [[NBC]] simply stayed with the Raiders–Colts game (except in the Pittsburgh and Denver markets) and had to overlap its telecasts.


The NFL continued to avoid Christmas Day even after it started to extend the length of the regular season and the playoffs. The league expanded to a 16-game regular season and a 10-team playoff tournament in {{nfly|1978}}, but it was not until {{nfly|1982}} that the regular season ended after Christmas Day. It was originally scheduled to end on Sunday, December 26 of that year, but the regular season was extended to Sunday, January 2, 1983 after the 57-day NFL players' strike reduced the season from 16 games to 9; the NFL compensated by extending the regular season one week and eliminating the off week between the conference championships and the Super Bowl.
The NFL continued to avoid Christmas Day even after it started to extend the length of the regular season and the playoffs. The league expanded to a 16-game regular season and a 10-team playoff tournament in {{nfly|1978}}, but it was not until {{nfly|1982}} that the regular season ended after Christmas Day. It was originally scheduled to end on Sunday, December 26 of that year, but the regular season was extended to Sunday, January 2, 1983, after the 57-day NFL players' strike reduced the season from 16 games to 9; the NFL compensated by extending the regular season one week and eliminating the off week between the conference championships and the Super Bowl.


In {{nfly|1983}} and again in {{nfly|1988}}, the NFL split the first round Wild Card Playoffs between Saturday, December 24 and Monday, December 26 to avoid a Christmas Day game.
In {{nfly|1983}} and again in {{nfly|1988}}, the NFL split the first round Wild Card Playoffs between Saturday, December 24 and Monday, December 26 to avoid a Christmas Day game.


Had the [[United States Football League]] (USFL) survived to play its autumn [[1986 USFL season|1986 season]], it would have featured the first major professional football games to be played in the regular season on Christmas Day; the USFL planned a complete set of four games for Christmas Day.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.oursportscentral.com/usfl/1986sked.php| title = 1986 USFL Schedule - USFL (United States Football League)}} </ref> The USFL suspended operations prior to the 1986 season and the games were never played.
Had the [[United States Football League]] (USFL) survived to play its autumn [[1986 USFL season|1986 season]], it would have featured the first major professional football games to be played in the regular season on Christmas Day; the USFL planned a complete set of four games for Christmas Day.<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.oursportscentral.com/usfl/1986sked.php| title = 1986 USFL Schedule - USFL (United States Football League)}}</ref> The USFL suspended operations prior to the 1986 season and the games were never played.


===Regular season games on Christmas===
===1989–2019: Occasional regular season games on Christmas Day===
Finally, in {{nfly|1989}}, the NFL tried another Christmas Day game, [[1989 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati]] at [[1989 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota]], but it was a 9:00 p.m. EST ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' contest on [[NFL on ABC|ABC]], thereby avoiding interfering with family dinners. The NFL pushed the regular season back one week in 1989 as a one-off experiment, meaning Christmas Day would fall during the last week of the regular season instead of the first round of the playoffs. The league added a [[bye week]] to its schedule in {{nfly|1990}}, making Christmas Day permanently fall during the regular season. In the years since, the NFL has played an occasional late-afternoon or night game on the holiday, but the league did not schedule a Christmas Day game starting earlier than 3:30 p.m. local time (for either participating team) from 1971 through 2021.
Finally, in {{nfly|1989}}, the NFL tried another Christmas Day game, [[1989 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati]] at [[1989 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota]], but it was a 9:00&nbsp;p.m. EST ''[[Monday Night Football]]'' contest on [[NFL on ABC|ABC]], thereby avoiding interfering with family dinners. The NFL pushed the regular season back one week in 1989 as a one-off experiment, meaning Christmas Day would fall during the last week of the regular season instead of the first round of the playoffs. The league added a [[bye week]] to its schedule in {{nfly|1990}}, making Christmas Day permanently fall during the regular season. In the years since, the NFL has played an occasional late-afternoon or night game on the holiday, but the league did not schedule a Christmas Day game starting earlier than 3:30&nbsp;p.m. local time (for either participating team) from 1971 through 2021.


When Christmas Day landed on a Thursday during this period, no games were scheduled even though the league began regularly scheduling late-season ''[[Thursday Night Football]]'' games in {{nfly|2006}}. This was because it landed in Week 17, which was the final week of the season. Any playoff team playing their final regular season game on Thursday would have had a significant competitive advantage with the extra rest heading into the postseason.
⚫
The league has generally played one or two games on Christmas Day when the holiday falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. If Christmas Day falls on a Saturday, then it would just be part of the normal slate of the handful of Saturday games during the final weeks of the regular season. Since 1994, if Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, then most of the usual Sunday afternoon games are instead played on Saturday, Christmas Eve. The league also played rare Friday games on Christmas Day in 2009 and 2020, both of which were considered [[NFL Network Special|special editions]] of ''[[Thursday Night Football]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 NFL schedule includes rare Friday game as Christmas Day surprise in Week 16 |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2020-nfl-schedule-includes-christmas-day-surprise-with-rare-friday-game-in-week-16/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-04-15 |title=NFL's schedule features twists |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-apr-15-sp-nfl-schedule15-story.html |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>


⚫
The league did however hold rare Friday games on Christmas Day in 2009 and 2020, both of which were considered [[NFL Network Special|special editions]] of ''Thursday Night Football''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 NFL schedule includes rare Friday game as Christmas Day surprise in Week 16 |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2020-nfl-schedule-includes-christmas-day-surprise-with-rare-friday-game-in-week-16/ |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=CBSSports.com |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2009-04-15 |title=NFL's schedule features twists |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-apr-15-sp-nfl-schedule15-story.html |access-date=2022-05-12 |website=Los Angeles Times |language=en-US}}</ref>
⚫
With December 25 again falling on a Sunday in {{nfly|2022}}, the NFL scheduled three Christmas Day games for the first time, which consisted of single games for each Sunday network -- [[NFL on Fox|Fox]] at the traditional 1:00 p.m. ET early slot, [[NFL on CBS|CBS]] in the late game slot, which was moved back five minutes from the usual doubleheader slot to 4:30 p.m. ET, and ''[[NBC Sunday Night Football|Sunday Night Football]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-22 |title=The NFL is reportedly planning on a Christmas Day tripleheader this year |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/nfl/the-nfl-is-reportedly-planning-on-a-christmas-day-tripleheader-this-year.html |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Florio |first=Mike |date=2022-04-22 |title=NFL plans a Christmas Day triple-header, for the first time ever |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/04/22/nfl-plans-a-christmas-day-triple-header-for-the-first-time-ever/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US}}</ref> The CBS game included an alternate, youth-oriented broadcast on sister network [[NFL on Nickelodeon|Nickelodeon]], after having previously aired Wild Card games in such a manner.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |author=Bromberg, Nick |date=May 10, 2022 |title=2022 NFL schedule: Rams will host Russell Wilson and Broncos as part of Christmas tripleheader |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-schedule-rams-will-host-broncos-as-part-of-christmas-tripleheader-115844093.html |work=Yahoo! Sports |accessdate=May 10, 2022}}</ref>


===2020–present: Annual Christmas Day games===
⚫
Under the NFL's next round of television deals reached in March 2021, which will begin in 2023 and run through 2033, Fox acquired the rights to air special Christmas Day games as the schedule permits. These special Christmas Day games are in addition to standard primetime games on Christmas Day (such as ''Sunday Night Football'' and ''Monday Night Football'' in years in which Christmas Day lands on those days).<ref>{{cite web |title=Fox Corporation Announces New Eleven-Year Media Rights Agreement with the National Football League |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fox-corporation-announces-new-eleven-year-media-rights-agreement-with-the-national-football-league-301250596.html |work=PR News Wire |accessdate=March 31, 2021}}</ref> With December 25 landing on a Monday in {{nfly|2023}}, the league scheduled another tripleheader, once again consisting of national CBS and Fox games, along with ''Monday Night Football''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 NFL schedule release: Tripleheaders highlight Thanksgiving, Christmas Day slates |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/2023-nfl-schedule-tripleheaders-highlight-thanksgiving-christmas-day-slates |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> For the second consecutive season, Nickelodeon will air an alternate, youth-oriented broadcast of CBS's game.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 NFL schedule release: Chiefs to headline Nickelodeon's special 'Nickmas' game on Christmas Day |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2023-nfl-schedule-release-chiefs-to-headline-nickelodeons-special-nickmas-game-on-christmas-day/amp/ |access-date=2023-08-16 |website=[[CBS Sports]]}}</ref>
The NFL has staged at least one Christmas Day game each season since {{nfly|2020}}, even in years in which Christmas Day falls on a day the league typically does not play. This became largely a result after the NFL expanded from a 16-game schedule to 17 games in {{nfly|2021}}, putting the holiday to the third-to-last week of the regular season.

⚫
When December 25 again fell on a Sunday in {{nfly|2022}}, the NFL scheduled three Christmas Day games for the first time. The 2022 Christmas Day games consisted of single contests for each Sunday network -- [[NFL on Fox|Fox]] at the 1:00&nbsp;p.m. ET early slot, [[NFL on CBS|CBS]] in the late game slot at 4:30&nbsp;p.m. ET, and ''[[NBC Sunday Night Football|Sunday Night Football]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-22 |title=The NFL is reportedly planning on a Christmas Day tripleheader this year |url=https://awfulannouncing.com/nfl/the-nfl-is-reportedly-planning-on-a-christmas-day-tripleheader-this-year.html |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=Awful Announcing |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Florio |first=Mike |date=2022-04-22 |title=NFL plans a Christmas Day triple-header, for the first time ever |url=https://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2022/04/22/nfl-plans-a-christmas-day-triple-header-for-the-first-time-ever/ |access-date=2022-04-22 |website=ProFootballTalk |language=en-US}}</ref> The CBS game included an alternate, youth-oriented broadcast on sister network [[NFL on Nickelodeon|Nickelodeon]], after having previously aired Wild Card games in such a manner.<ref name=":2">{{cite web |author=Bromberg, Nick |date=May 10, 2022 |title=2022 NFL schedule: Rams will host Russell Wilson and Broncos as part of Christmas tripleheader |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/2022-nfl-schedule-rams-will-host-broncos-as-part-of-christmas-tripleheader-115844093.html |work=Yahoo! Sports |accessdate=May 10, 2022}}</ref>

⚫
Under the NFL's next round of television deals, which began in 2023 and will run through 2033, Fox acquired the rights to air special Christmas Day games as the schedule permits. These special Christmas Day games are in addition to standard primetime games on Christmas Day (such as ''Sunday Night Football'' and ''Monday Night Football'' in years in which Christmas Day lands on those days).<ref>{{cite web |title=Fox Corporation Announces New Eleven-Year Media Rights Agreement with the National Football League |url=https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fox-corporation-announces-new-eleven-year-media-rights-agreement-with-the-national-football-league-301250596.html |work=PR News Wire |accessdate=March 31, 2021}}</ref> With December 25 landing on a Monday in {{nfly|2023}}, the NFL scheduled another tripleheader, once again consisting of national CBS and Fox games, along with ''Monday Night Football''.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2023 NFL schedule release: Tripleheaders highlight Thanksgiving, Christmas Day slates |url=https://www.nfl.com/news/2023-nfl-schedule-tripleheaders-highlight-thanksgiving-christmas-day-slates |access-date=May 11, 2023 |website=NFL.com}}</ref> For the second consecutive season, Nickelodeon aired an alternate, youth-oriented broadcast of CBS's game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Benjamin |first=Cody |date=May 11, 2023 |title=2023 NFL schedule release: Chiefs to headline Nickelodeon's special 'Nickmas' game on Christmas Day |url=https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/2023-nfl-schedule-release-chiefs-to-headline-nickelodeons-special-nickmas-game-on-christmas-day/amp/ |access-date=August 16, 2023 |website=[[CBS Sports]]}}</ref>

With December 25 landing on a Wednesday in {{nfly|2024}}, the league originally told ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' in December 2023 that it would not play games when Christmas Day falls on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.<ref>{{cite news|first=Andrew|last=Beaton|title=The Year the NFL Stole Christmas|url=https://www.wsj.com/sports/football/nfl-christmas-games-niners-ravens-ed3f1152|date=December 22, 2023|newspaper=[[The Wall Street Journal]]|access-date=December 28, 2023|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Mike|last=Florio|title=NFL claims it won't schedule Christmas games when December 25 lands on a Tuesday or Wednesday|url=https://www.nbcsports.com/nfl/profootballtalk/rumor-mill/news/nfl-claims-it-wont-schedule-christmas-games-when-december-25-lands-on-a-tuesday-or-wednesday|work=Pro Football Talk|date=December 22, 2023|access-date=December 28, 2023}}</ref> However, on March 26, 2024, the NFL reversed course and announced a three-year agreement with [[Netflix]] to nationally stream two Christmas Day games in 2024, and at least one holiday game in both 2025 and 2026.<ref>{{cite web|title=NFL to play two games on Christmas Day Wednesday in 2024|url=https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/39813658/sources-nfl-play-christmas-day-wednesday-2024|work=ESPN|date=March 26, 2024|access-date=March 26, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url= https://variety.com/2024/digital/news/netflix-nfl-christmas-day-2024-games-streaming-1235998673/|title=Netflix Scores Two NFL Christmas Day 2024 Games Under Three-Year Deal With League|first=Todd|last=Spangler|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=May 15, 2024|access-date=May 15, 2024}}</ref> The [[Baltimore Ravens]], [[Houston Texans]], [[Pittsburgh Steelers]], and two-time defending Super Bowl champion [[Kansas City Chiefs]] were selected for the 2024 games. The Netflix games aired on local television affiliates in each respective team's television markets per NFL regulations. <ref>{{cite web|title=2024 NFL Christmas Games: Schedule, teams, how to watch|url=https://www.foxsports.com/stories/nfl/nfl-christmas-games-schedule-teams-how-to-watch|work=Fox Sports|date=November 25, 2024|access-date=November 29, 2024}}</ref> All four teams played the previous Saturday to make the turnaround between games similar to that of a Sunday to Thursday night contest. The first ever [[halftime show]] for Christmas Gameday was [[Beyoncé 2024 NFL Halftime Show|headlined by Beyoncé on Christmas Day]].<ref name="net">{{cite web|url=https://www.newsweek.com/beyonce-christmas-halftime-show-time-2003493|title=Beyoncé's Christmas Halftime Show: When Will It Air Around the World?|date=2024-12-23|access-date=2024-12-23|website=Newsweek|first=Billie|last=Dunn}}</ref>


==All-time results==
==All-time results==
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===1971 Divisional Round===
===1971 Divisional Round===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
! Season !! Visiting team !! Score !! Home team !! Significance !! Location !! TV
! Season !! Visiting team !! Score !! Home team !! Significance !! Location !! TV
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center" |[[1971–72 NFL playoffs|1971]]||'''[[1971 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]'''|| align="center" |20–12||[[1971 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]] || [[Cowboys–Vikings rivalry]] || [[Metropolitan Stadium]] || [[NFL on CBS|CBS]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197112250min.htm|title=Divisional Round - Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings - December 25th, 1971|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" align="center" |[[1971–72 NFL playoffs|1971]]||'''[[1971 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]'''|| align="center" |20–12||[[1971 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]] || [[Cowboys–Vikings rivalry]] || [[Metropolitan Stadium]] || [[NFL on CBS|CBS]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197112250min.htm|title=Divisional Round - Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings - December 25th, 1971|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
|'''[[1971 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]'''|| align="center" |27–24 {{small|(2OT)}}||[[1971 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]] || || [[Municipal Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)|Municipal Stadium]] || [[NFL on NBC|NBC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197112250kan.htm|title=Divisional Round - Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs - December 25th, 1971|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|'''[[1971 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]'''|| align="center" |27–24 {{small|(2OT)}}||[[1971 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]] || Longest NFL game || [[Municipal Stadium (Kansas City, Missouri)|Municipal Stadium]] || [[NFL on NBC|NBC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/197112250kan.htm|title=Divisional Round - Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs - December 25th, 1971|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|}
|}


===Regular season===
===Regular season===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
⚫
! Season !! Visiting team !! Score !! Home team !! Significance !! Location !! TV/Streaming
|- bgcolor="#efefef"
⚫
! Season !! Visiting team !! Score !! Home team !! Significance !! Location !! TV
|-
|-
| align="center" |{{nfly|1989}}||[[1989 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]]|| align="center" |21–29||'''[[1989 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]''' |||| [[Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome|Metrodome]] || [[Monday Night Football|ABC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198912250min.htm|title=Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings - December 25th, 1989|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
| align="center" |{{nfly|1989}}||[[1989 Cincinnati Bengals season|Cincinnati Bengals]]|| align="center" |21–29||'''[[1989 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]''' ||{{n/a}}|| [[Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome|Metrodome]] || [[Monday Night Football|ABC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/198912250min.htm|title=Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings - December 25th, 1989|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
| align="center" |{{nfly|1993}}||'''[[1993 Houston Oilers season|Houston Oilers]]'''|| align="center" |10–7||[[1993 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]] |||| [[Candlestick Park]]||[[NFL on NBC|NBC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199312250sfo.htm|title=Houston Oilers at San Francisco 49ers - December 25th, 1993|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
| align="center" |{{nfly|1993}}||'''[[1993 Houston Oilers season|Houston Oilers]]'''|| align="center" |10–7||[[1993 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]] || {{n/a}} || [[Candlestick Park]]||[[NFL on NBC|NBC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199312250sfo.htm|title=Houston Oilers at San Francisco 49ers - December 25th, 1993|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
| align="center" |{{nfly|1994}}||[[1994 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]|| align="center" |20–27||'''[[1994 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]''' |||| [[Hard Rock Stadium|Joe Robbie Stadium]]||[[ESPN Sunday Night Football|ESPN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199412250mia.htm|title=Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins - December 25th, 1994|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
| align="center" |{{nfly|1994}}||[[1994 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]]|| align="center" |20–27||'''[[1994 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]''' ||{{n/a}}|| [[Hard Rock Stadium|Joe Robbie Stadium]]||[[ESPN Sunday Night Football|ESPN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199412250mia.htm|title=Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins - December 25th, 1994|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
| align="center" |{{nfly|1995}}||'''[[1995 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]'''|| align="center" |37–13||[[1995 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]] |||| [[Mountain America Stadium|Sun Devil Stadium]]||[[Monday Night Football|ABC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199512250crd.htm|title=Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals - December 25th, 1995|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
| align="center" |{{nfly|1995}}||'''[[1995 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]'''|| align="center" |37–13||[[1995 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]] ||{{n/a}}|| [[Mountain America Stadium|Sun Devil Stadium]]||[[Monday Night Football|ABC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199512250crd.htm|title=Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals - December 25th, 1995|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
| align="center" |{{nfly|1999}}||'''[[1999 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]'''|| align="center" |17–7||[[1999 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]] |||| [[Pontiac Silverdome]] || [[NFL on CBS|CBS]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199912250det.htm|title=Denver Broncos at Detroit Lions - December 25th, 1999|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
| align="center" |{{nfly|1999}}||'''[[1999 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]'''|| align="center" |17–7||[[1999 Detroit Lions season|Detroit Lions]] ||{{n/a}}|| [[Pontiac Silverdome]] || [[NFL on CBS|CBS]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/199912250det.htm|title=Denver Broncos at Detroit Lions - December 25th, 1999|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
| align="center" |{{nfly|2000}}||[[2000 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]|| align="center" |0–31||'''[[2000 Tennessee Titans season|Tennessee Titans]]''' |||| [[Nissan Stadium|Adelphia Coliseum]] || [[Monday Night Football|ABC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200012250oti.htm|title=Dallas Cowboys at Tennessee Titans - December 25th, 2000|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
| align="center" |{{nfly|2000}}||[[2000 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]|| align="center" |0–31||'''[[2000 Tennessee Titans season|Tennessee Titans]]''' || {{n/a}} || [[Nissan Stadium|Adelphia Coliseum]] || [[Monday Night Football|ABC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200012250oti.htm|title=Dallas Cowboys at Tennessee Titans - December 25th, 2000|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center" |{{nfly|2004}}||[[2004 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]]|| align="center" |30–31||'''[[2004 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]]''' ||[[Chiefs–Raiders rivalry]]|| [[Arrowhead Stadium]]|| [[NFL on CBS|CBS]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200412250kan.htm|title=Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs - December 25th, 2004|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" align="center" |{{nfly|2004}}||[[2004 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]]|| align="center" |30–31||'''[[2004 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]]''' ||[[Chiefs–Raiders rivalry]]|| [[Arrowhead Stadium]]|| [[NFL on CBS|CBS]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200412250kan.htm|title=Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs - December 25th, 2004|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
|'''[[2004 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]'''|| align="center" |37–16||[[2004 Tennessee Titans season|Tennessee Titans]] |||| [[Nissan Stadium|The Coliseum]] || [[ESPN Sunday Night Football|ESPN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200412250oti.htm|title=Denver Broncos at Tennessee Titans - December 25th, 2004|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|'''[[2004 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]'''|| align="center" |37–16||[[2004 Tennessee Titans season|Tennessee Titans]] || {{n/a}} || [[Nissan Stadium|The Coliseum]] || [[ESPN Sunday Night Football|ESPN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200412250oti.htm|title=Denver Broncos at Tennessee Titans - December 25th, 2004|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center"|{{nfly|2005}}||'''[[2005 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]'''|| align="center" |24–17||[[2005 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] || [[Bears–Packers rivalry]] || [[Lambeau Field]] || [[NFL on Fox|Fox]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200512250gnb.htm|title=Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers - December 25th, 2005|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" align="center"|{{nfly|2005}}||'''[[2005 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]'''|| align="center" |24–17||[[2005 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]] || [[Bears–Packers rivalry]] || [[Lambeau Field]] || [[NFL on Fox|Fox]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200512250gnb.htm|title=Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers - December 25th, 2005|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[2005 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]|| align="center" |23–30||'''[[2005 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens]]''' || || [[M&T Bank Stadium]] || [[ESPN Sunday Night Football|ESPN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200512250rav.htm|title=Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens - December 25th, 2005|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|[[2005 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]|| align="center" |23–30||'''[[2005 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens]]''' || {{n/a}} || [[M&T Bank Stadium]] || [[ESPN Sunday Night Football|ESPN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200512250rav.htm|title=Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens - December 25th, 2005|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center"|{{nfly|2006}}||'''[[2006 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]'''|| align="center" |23–7||[[2006 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] ||[[Cowboys–Eagles rivalry]]|| [[Texas Stadium]]|| [[NBC Sunday Night Football|NBC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200612250dal.htm|title=Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys - December 25th, 2006|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" align="center"|{{nfly|2006}}||'''[[2006 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]'''|| align="center" |23–7||[[2006 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]] ||[[Cowboys–Eagles rivalry]]|| [[Texas Stadium]]|| [[NBC Sunday Night Football|NBC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200612250dal.htm|title=Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys - December 25th, 2006|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
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|'''[[2006 New York Jets season|New York Jets]]'''|| align="center" |13–10||[[2006 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] ||[[Dolphins–Jets rivalry]]|| [[Hard Rock Stadium|Dolphin Stadium]]|| [[Monday Night Football|ESPN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200612250mia.htm|title=New York Jets at Miami Dolphins - December 25th, 2006|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|'''[[2006 New York Jets season|New York Jets]]'''|| align="center" |13–10||[[2006 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]] ||[[Dolphins–Jets rivalry]]|| [[Hard Rock Stadium|Dolphin Stadium]]|| [[Monday Night Football|ESPN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200612250mia.htm|title=New York Jets at Miami Dolphins - December 25th, 2006|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
| align="center" |{{nfly|2009}}||'''[[2009 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]]'''|| align="center" |42–17||[[2009 Tennessee Titans season|Tennessee Titans]] |||| [[Nissan Stadium|LP Field]]||[[Thursday Night Football|NFLN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200912250oti.htm|title=San Diego Chargers at Tennessee Titans - December 25th, 2009|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
| align="center" |{{nfly|2009}}||'''[[2009 San Diego Chargers season|San Diego Chargers]]'''|| align="center" |42–17||[[2009 Tennessee Titans season|Tennessee Titans]] ||{{n/a}}|| [[Nissan Stadium|LP Field]]||[[Thursday Night Football|NFLN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/200912250oti.htm|title=San Diego Chargers at Tennessee Titans - December 25th, 2009|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
| align="center" |{{nfly|2010}}||[[2010 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]||align="center"|26–27||'''[[2010 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]]'''||||[[State Farm Stadium|University of Phoenix Stadium]]||[[Thursday Night Football|NFLN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201012250crd.htm|title=Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals - December 25th, 2010|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
| align="center" |{{nfly|2010}}||[[2010 Dallas Cowboys season|Dallas Cowboys]]||align="center"|26–27||'''[[2010 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]]'''||{{n/a}}||[[State Farm Stadium|University of Phoenix Stadium]]||[[Thursday Night Football|NFLN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201012250crd.htm|title=Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals - December 25th, 2010|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
| align="center" |{{nfly|2011}}||[[2011 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]|| align="center"|21–35||'''[[2011 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]''' ||[[Bears–Packers rivalry]]|| [[Lambeau Field]]|| [[NBC Sunday Night Football|NBC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201112250gnb.htm|title=Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers - December 25th, 2011|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
| align="center" |{{nfly|2011}}||[[2011 Chicago Bears season|Chicago Bears]]|| align="center"|21–35||'''[[2011 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]''' ||[[Bears–Packers rivalry]]<br />[[2010–11 NFL playoffs#NFC: Green Bay Packers 21, Chicago Bears 14|2010 NFC Championship Game]] rematch|| [[Lambeau Field]]|| [[NBC Sunday Night Football|NBC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201112250gnb.htm|title=Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers - December 25th, 2011|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center"|{{nfly|2016}}||[[2016 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens]]|| align="center"|27–31||'''[[2016 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]''' ||[[Ravens–Steelers rivalry]]|| [[Acrisure Stadium|Heinz Field]]|| [[NFL Network Exclusive Game Series|NFLN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201612250pit.htm|title=Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers - December 25th, 2016|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" align="center"|{{nfly|2016}}||[[2016 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens]]|| align="center"|27–31||'''[[2016 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]''' ||[[Ravens–Steelers rivalry]]|| [[Acrisure Stadium|Heinz Field]]|| [[NFL Network Exclusive Game Series|NFLN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201612250pit.htm|title=Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers - December 25th, 2016|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
Line 92: Line 97:
|[[2016 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]|| align="center"| 10–33 ||'''[[2016 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]]''' ||[[Broncos–Chiefs rivalry]]|| [[Arrowhead Stadium]]|| [[NBC Sunday Night Football|NBC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201612250kan.htm|title=Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs - December 25th, 2016|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|[[2016 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]|| align="center"| 10–33 ||'''[[2016 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]]''' ||[[Broncos–Chiefs rivalry]]|| [[Arrowhead Stadium]]|| [[NBC Sunday Night Football|NBC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201612250kan.htm|title=Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs - December 25th, 2016|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center"|{{nfly|2017}}||'''[[2017 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]''' || align="center"|34–6 ||[[2017 Houston Texans season|Houston Texans]] |||| [[NRG Stadium]] || [[NFL Network Exclusive Game Series|NBC/NFLN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201712250htx.htm|title=Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans - December 25th, 2017|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" align="center"|{{nfly|2017}}||'''[[2017 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]''' || align="center"|34–6 ||[[2017 Houston Texans season|Houston Texans]] ||{{n/a}}|| [[NRG Stadium]] || [[NFL Network Exclusive Game Series|NBC/NFLN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201712250htx.htm|title=Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans - December 25th, 2017|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[2017 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]]|| align="center"| 10–19 ||'''[[2017 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]''' |||| [[Lincoln Financial Field]] || [[Monday Night Football|ESPN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201712250phi.htm|title=Oakland Raiders at Philadelphia Eagles - December 25th, 2017|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|[[2017 Oakland Raiders season|Oakland Raiders]]|| align="center"| 10–19 ||'''[[2017 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]''' ||{{n/a}}|| [[Lincoln Financial Field]] || [[Monday Night Football|ESPN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201712250phi.htm|title=Oakland Raiders at Philadelphia Eagles - December 25th, 2017|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
| align="center" |{{nfly|2020}}||[[2020 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]|| align="center"|33–52||'''[[2020 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]]''' ||[[Saints–Vikings rivalry]]|| [[Caesars Superdome|Mercedes-Benz Superdome]]|| [[Thursday Night Football|Fox/NFLN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202012250nor.htm|title=Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints - December 25th, 2020|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
| align="center" |{{nfly|2020}}||[[2020 Minnesota Vikings season|Minnesota Vikings]]|| align="center"|33–52||'''[[2020 New Orleans Saints season|New Orleans Saints]]''' ||[[Saints–Vikings rivalry]]<br />[[2019–20 NFL playoffs#NFC: Minnesota Vikings 26, New Orleans Saints 20 (OT)|2019 NFC Wild Card Round]] rematch|| [[Caesars Superdome|Mercedes-Benz Superdome]]|| [[Thursday Night Football|Fox/NFLN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202012250nor.htm|title=Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints - December 25th, 2020|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center" |{{nfly|2021}}||[[2021 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]]|| align="center|22–24||'''[[2021 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]'''|||| [[Lambeau Field]]|| [[Thursday Night Football|Fox/NFLN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202112250gnb.htm|title=Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers - December 25th, 2021|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" align="center" |{{nfly|2021}}||[[2021 Cleveland Browns season|Cleveland Browns]]|| align="center|22–24||'''[[2021 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]'''||{{n/a}}|| [[Lambeau Field]]|| [[Thursday Night Football|Fox/NFLN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202112250gnb.htm|title=Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers - December 25th, 2021|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
|'''[[2021 Indianapolis Colts season|Indianapolis Colts]]'''|| align="center"|22–16||[[2021 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]]|||| [[State Farm Stadium]]|| [[NFL Network Exclusive Game Series|NFLN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202112250crd.htm|title=Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals - December 25th, 2021|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|'''[[2021 Indianapolis Colts season|Indianapolis Colts]]'''|| align="center"|22–16||[[2021 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]]||{{n/a}}|| [[State Farm Stadium]]|| [[NFL Network Exclusive Game Series|NFLN]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202112250crd.htm|title=Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals - December 25th, 2021|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-06-09}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="3" align="center" |{{nfly|2022}}||'''[[2022 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]'''|| align="center|26{{ndash}}20||[[2022 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]|||| [[Hard Rock Stadium]]|| [[NFL on Fox|Fox]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202212250mia.htm|title=Green Bay Packers at Miami Dolphins - December 25th, 2022|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-12-26}}</ref>
| rowspan="3" align="center" |{{nfly|2022}}||'''[[2022 Green Bay Packers season|Green Bay Packers]]'''|| align="center|26{{ndash}}20||[[2022 Miami Dolphins season|Miami Dolphins]]||{{n/a}}|| [[Hard Rock Stadium]]|| [[NFL on Fox|Fox]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202212250mia.htm|title=Green Bay Packers at Miami Dolphins - December 25th, 2022|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-12-26}}</ref>
|-
|-
| |[[2022 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]|| align="center" |14{{ndash}}51||'''[[2022 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]]'''|||| [[SoFi Stadium]]|| [[NFL on CBS|CBS]]/[[NFL on Nickelodeon|Nick]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202212250ram.htm|title=Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Rams - December 25th, 2022|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-12-26}}</ref>
| |[[2022 Denver Broncos season|Denver Broncos]]|| align="center" |14{{ndash}}51||'''[[2022 Los Angeles Rams season|Los Angeles Rams]]'''||{{n/a}}|| [[SoFi Stadium]]|| [[NFL on CBS|CBS]]/[[NFL on Nickelodeon|Nick]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202212250ram.htm|title=Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Rams - December 25th, 2022|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-12-26}}</ref>
|-
|-
| |'''[[2022 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]'''|| align="center"|19{{ndash}}16 {{small|(OT)}}||[[2022 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]]|||| [[State Farm Stadium]]|| [[NBC Sunday Night Football|NBC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202212250crd.htm|title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arizona Cardinals - December 25th, 2022|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-12-26}}</ref>
| |'''[[2022 Tampa Bay Buccaneers season|Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]'''|| align="center"|19{{ndash}}16 {{small|(OT)}}||[[2022 Arizona Cardinals season|Arizona Cardinals]]||{{n/a}}|| [[State Farm Stadium]]|| [[NBC Sunday Night Football|NBC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202212250crd.htm|title=Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arizona Cardinals - December 25th, 2022|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2022-12-26}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="3" align="center" |{{nfly|2023}}||'''[[2023 Las Vegas Raiders season|Las Vegas Raiders]]'''|| align="center|20{{ndash}}14||[[2023 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]]|| [[Chiefs–Raiders rivalry]]|| [[Arrowhead Stadium]]|| [[NFL on CBS|CBS]]/[[NFL on Nickelodeon|Nick]]
| rowspan="3" align="center" |{{nfly|2023}}||'''[[2023 Las Vegas Raiders season|Las Vegas Raiders]]'''|| align="center|20{{ndash}}14||[[2023 Kansas City Chiefs season|Kansas City Chiefs]]|| [[Chiefs–Raiders rivalry]]|| [[Arrowhead Stadium]]|| [[NFL on CBS|CBS]]/[[NFL on Nickelodeon|Nick]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202312250kan.htm|title=Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs - December 25th, 2023|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2023-12-27}}</ref>
|-
|-
| |[[2023 New York Giants season|New York Giants]]|| align="center" |25{{ndash}}33||'''[[2023 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]'''||[[Eagles–Giants rivalry]]|| [[Lincoln Financial Field]]|| [[NFL on Fox|Fox]]
| |[[2023 New York Giants season|New York Giants]]|| align="center" |25{{ndash}}33||'''[[2023 Philadelphia Eagles season|Philadelphia Eagles]]'''||[[Eagles–Giants rivalry]]<br />[[2022–23 NFL playoffs#NFC: Philadelphia Eagles 38, New York Giants 7|2022 NFC Divisional Round]] rematch|| [[Lincoln Financial Field]]|| [[NFL on Fox|Fox]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202312250phi.htm|title=New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles - December 25th, 2023|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2023-12-27}}</ref>
|-
|-
| |[[2023 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens]]|| align="center"|0{{ndash}}0||[[2023 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]]|| || [[Levi's Stadium]] || [[Monday Night Football|ABC]]/[[ESPN+]]
| |'''[[2023 Baltimore Ravens season|Baltimore Ravens]]'''|| align="center"|33{{ndash}}19||[[2023 San Francisco 49ers season|San Francisco 49ers]]|| {{n/a}}|| [[Levi's Stadium]] || [[Monday Night Football|ABC]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202312250sfo.htm|title=Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers - December 25th, 2023|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2023-12-27}}</ref>
|-
|-
| rowspan="2" align="center" |{{nfly|2024}}||[[2024 Kansas City Chiefs season|'''Kansas City Chiefs''']]|| align="center"|29{{ndash}}10|||[[2024 Pittsburgh Steelers season|Pittsburgh Steelers]]|| {{n/a}}|| [[Acrisure Stadium]] || [[Netflix]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202412250pit.htm|title=Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers - December 25th, 2024|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-12-27}}</ref>
⚫
|-
| |[[2024 Baltimore Ravens season|'''Baltimore Ravens''']]||align="center"|31{{ndash}}2 |||[[2024 Houston Texans season|Houston Texans]]|| [[2023–24 NFL playoffs#AFC: Baltimore Ravens 34, Houston Texans 10|2023 AFC Divisional Round]] rematch|| [[NRG Stadium]] || [[Netflix]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/202412250htx.htm|title=Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans - December 25th, 2024|website=Pro-Football-Reference.com|access-date=2024-12-27}}</ref>
|}
|}


===Christmas Day standings===
===Christmas Day standings===
''By franchise (through the 2023 games)''
''By franchise (through the 2024 games)''
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;"
! Team!!Games played!!Wins!!Losses!!Ties!!Win %
! Team!!Games played!!Wins!!Losses!!Ties!!Win %
|-
|-
|align=left|[[Philadelphia Eagles]]||3||3||0||0||1.000
|align=left|[[Philadelphia Eagles]]||3||3||0||0||1.000
⚫
|-
⚫
|align=left|[[Pittsburgh Steelers]]||2||2||0||0||1.000
|-
|-
|align=left|[[Indianapolis Colts]]||1||1||0||0||1.000
|align=left|[[Indianapolis Colts]]||1||1||0||0||1.000
Line 136: Line 142:
|-
|-
|align=left|[[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]||1||1||0||0||1.000
|align=left|[[Tampa Bay Buccaneers]]||1||1||0||0||1.000
⚫
|-
⚫
|align=left|[[Baltimore Ravens]]||4||3||1||0||.750
|-
|-
|align=left|[[Green Bay Packers]]||4||3||1||0||.750
|align=left|[[Green Bay Packers]]||4||3||1||0||.750
|-
|-
|align=left|[[Denver Broncos]]||4||2||2||0||.500
|align=left|[[Pittsburgh Steelers]]||3||2||1||0||.667
|-
|-
|align=left|[[Kansas City Chiefs]]||4||2||2||0||.500
|align=left|[[Kansas City Chiefs]]||5||3||2||0||.600
⚫
|-
|align=left|[[Denver Broncos]]||4||2||2||0||.500
|-
|-
|align=left|[[Miami Dolphins]]||4||2||2||0||.500
|align=left|[[Miami Dolphins]]||4||2||2||0||.500
|-
|-
|align=left|[[Tennessee Titans]]||4||2||2||0||.500
|align=left|[[Tennessee Titans]]||4||2||2||0||.500
⚫
|-
⚫
|align=left|[[Baltimore Ravens]]||2||1||1||0||.500
|-
|-
|align=left|[[Chicago Bears]]||2||1||1||0||.500
|align=left|[[Chicago Bears]]||2||1||1||0||.500
Line 163: Line 171:
|align=left|[[Cleveland Browns]]||1||0||1||0||.000
|align=left|[[Cleveland Browns]]||1||0||1||0||.000
|-
|-
|align=left|[[Houston Texans]]||1||0||1||0||.000
|align=left|[[New York Giants]]||1||0||1||0||.000
⚫
|-
⚫
|align=left|[[San Francisco 49ers]]||1||0||1||0||.000
|-
|-
|align=left|[[Detroit Lions]]||2||0||2||0||.000
|align=left|[[Detroit Lions]]||2||0||2||0||.000
|-
⚫
|align=left|[[Houston Texans]]||2||0||2||0||.000
|-
⚫
|align=left|[[San Francisco 49ers]]||2||0||2||0||.000
|}
|}


Latest revision as of 04:00, 1 January 2025

This article is about general NFL games on Christmas. For games airing under NFL Christmas Special branding, see NFL Network Exclusive Game Series.

Games held by the National Football League (NFL) on Christmas Day, December 25, was historically an occasional part of the league's schedule, but has been an annual occurrence since 2020. The NFL had avoided annual Christmas Day games because the holiday could fall on a day in which the league does not normally schedule games, in contrast to Thanksgiving Day games since Thanksgiving is always on a Thursday. The NFL held two Divisional Playoff games on Christmas Day in 1971 when the regular season only spanned a 14-week period. This proved unpopular, and the league avoided Christmas Day games until 1989 to 2019, when the NFL typically scheduled games on Christmas Day if it fell on a Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. Beginning in 2020, the league has scheduled at least one Christmas game every season, even when the holiday falls on a day in which the NFL does not usually schedule games.

As of the end of the 2024 season, there have been 32 Christmas Day games in the NFL's history, all broadcast nationally. Two games were scheduled each Christmas Day from 2004 to 2006, 2016 to 2017, 2021, and 2024. Three games were scheduled from 2022 to 2023.

If Christmas Day falls on a Sunday, then the normal slate of Sunday afternoon games is instead played on Saturday, Christmas Eve, and one of the Christmas Day games will include the standard Sunday Night Football telecast. When Christmas Day falls on a Monday, the normal slate of Sunday afternoon games is still played on Christmas Eve, and Monday Night Football on Christmas night, but the Sunday Night Football telecast has been moved to either Monday afternoon or to Saturday, December 23.

History

[edit]

Early years

[edit]

In the earliest days of professional football, the season typically ended near the end of November (marquee games were often played on Thanksgiving) or in the first week of December, depending on the team; exhibition games would then be held in the winter. Once league schedules were standardized in the 1930s, the NFL Championship Game was typically held in mid-December. The 1943 NFL Championship Game, played on December 26 of that year because of scheduling complications brought on by World War II, was the first regulation NFL game to be played on or after Christmas.

From 1943 until the 1970 AFL-NFL Merger, the NFL regular season usually ended in mid-December, with the NFL Championship Game being held on the Sunday two weeks later. If that Sunday fell on Christmas Day December 25, the league preferred to move it to the following day, Monday, December 26; this rescheduling occurred for both the 1955 and the 1960 championship games.

The American Football League (AFL) compensated differently: the 1960 championship game was moved back by a full week, being played on New Year's Day 1961, with Christmas Sunday being an off-week. (The NFL's 1966 championship game was also held on Sunday, January 1, 1967, two weeks after the end of the regular season.) New Year's Day was an available day since the college bowl games are moved back to Monday, January 2 in years in which January 1 falls on a Sunday. The AFL had scheduled the 1966 championship game for Monday afternoon December 26, but when the two leagues agreed to merge in 1970 and play a "World Championship game" starting with the 1966 season, the AFL game was moved back to Sunday, January 1.

1971 Divisional Playoffs

[edit]

The first NFL games actually played on December 25 came after the merger, during the 1971–72 NFL playoffs. The first two games of the Divisional Playoff Round were held on Christmas Day; the first of these was between the Dallas Cowboys and the Minnesota Vikings, while the second of the two contests played that afternoon, the Miami Dolphins versus the Kansas City Chiefs, wound up being the longest game in NFL history.[1] Because of the length of the latter game, the NFL received numerous complaints, reportedly due to the fact that it caused havoc with Christmas dinners around the nation. The NFL also came under fire from some quarters for intruding on a traditional religious and family holiday, and a Kansas state legislator proposed a bill to ban the scheduling of future games on December 25.[2][3] As a result, the NFL decided to not schedule any Christmas Day games for the next 17 seasons.

1972–1988: Avoiding Christmas Day

[edit]

This required considerable effort during those years in which Christmas Day fell on a Saturday or a Sunday, given that ordinarily those days would be days in which NFL playoff games were to be held.

In 1976, the NFL opened its regular season a week earlier than would have ordinarily been the case (September 12, the second Sunday of the month, rather than the customary third Sunday) so that the Divisional Playoffs could be held on December 18 and 19 instead of December 25 and 26, and thus no games would be needed on Saturday, December 25 (Super Bowl XI was subsequently played on January 9, the earliest date in Super Bowl history).

In 1977, with Christmas Day falling on a Sunday, the Divisional Playoff Games were held around the holiday, with an AFC doubleheader on Saturday, December 24, and an NFC doubleheader on Monday, December 26. This was done so that one team did not have a two-day rest advantage over the other for the Conference Championship games (the NFL only allowed one-day rest advantages). This scheduling resulted in most of the country missing the majority of the first quarter of the Pittsburgh Steelers–Denver Broncos game telecast (beginning at 4:00 p.m. EST), since the early AFC game that Saturday (Oakland Raiders–Baltimore Colts, beginning at 12:30 p.m. EST) went into double overtime; with an ordinary schedule of one game from each conference, viewers would have had the option of switching channels (or using a VCR) but in this case NBC simply stayed with the Raiders–Colts game (except in the Pittsburgh and Denver markets) and had to overlap its telecasts.

The NFL continued to avoid Christmas Day even after it started to extend the length of the regular season and the playoffs. The league expanded to a 16-game regular season and a 10-team playoff tournament in 1978, but it was not until 1982 that the regular season ended after Christmas Day. It was originally scheduled to end on Sunday, December 26 of that year, but the regular season was extended to Sunday, January 2, 1983, after the 57-day NFL players' strike reduced the season from 16 games to 9; the NFL compensated by extending the regular season one week and eliminating the off week between the conference championships and the Super Bowl.

In 1983 and again in 1988, the NFL split the first round Wild Card Playoffs between Saturday, December 24 and Monday, December 26 to avoid a Christmas Day game.

Had the United States Football League (USFL) survived to play its autumn 1986 season, it would have featured the first major professional football games to be played in the regular season on Christmas Day; the USFL planned a complete set of four games for Christmas Day.[4] The USFL suspended operations prior to the 1986 season and the games were never played.

1989–2019: Occasional regular season games on Christmas Day

[edit]

Finally, in 1989, the NFL tried another Christmas Day game, Cincinnati at Minnesota, but it was a 9:00 p.m. EST Monday Night Football contest on ABC, thereby avoiding interfering with family dinners. The NFL pushed the regular season back one week in 1989 as a one-off experiment, meaning Christmas Day would fall during the last week of the regular season instead of the first round of the playoffs. The league added a bye week to its schedule in 1990, making Christmas Day permanently fall during the regular season. In the years since, the NFL has played an occasional late-afternoon or night game on the holiday, but the league did not schedule a Christmas Day game starting earlier than 3:30 p.m. local time (for either participating team) from 1971 through 2021.

When Christmas Day landed on a Thursday during this period, no games were scheduled even though the league began regularly scheduling late-season Thursday Night Football games in 2006. This was because it landed in Week 17, which was the final week of the season. Any playoff team playing their final regular season game on Thursday would have had a significant competitive advantage with the extra rest heading into the postseason.

The league did however hold rare Friday games on Christmas Day in 2009 and 2020, both of which were considered special editions of Thursday Night Football.[5][6]

2020–present: Annual Christmas Day games

[edit]

The NFL has staged at least one Christmas Day game each season since 2020, even in years in which Christmas Day falls on a day the league typically does not play. This became largely a result after the NFL expanded from a 16-game schedule to 17 games in 2021, putting the holiday to the third-to-last week of the regular season.

When December 25 again fell on a Sunday in 2022, the NFL scheduled three Christmas Day games for the first time. The 2022 Christmas Day games consisted of single contests for each Sunday network -- Fox at the 1:00 p.m. ET early slot, CBS in the late game slot at 4:30 p.m. ET, and Sunday Night Football.[7][8] The CBS game included an alternate, youth-oriented broadcast on sister network Nickelodeon, after having previously aired Wild Card games in such a manner.[9]

Under the NFL's next round of television deals, which began in 2023 and will run through 2033, Fox acquired the rights to air special Christmas Day games as the schedule permits. These special Christmas Day games are in addition to standard primetime games on Christmas Day (such as Sunday Night Football and Monday Night Football in years in which Christmas Day lands on those days).[10] With December 25 landing on a Monday in 2023, the NFL scheduled another tripleheader, once again consisting of national CBS and Fox games, along with Monday Night Football.[11] For the second consecutive season, Nickelodeon aired an alternate, youth-oriented broadcast of CBS's game.[12]

With December 25 landing on a Wednesday in 2024, the league originally told The Wall Street Journal in December 2023 that it would not play games when Christmas Day falls on Tuesdays or Wednesdays.[13][14] However, on March 26, 2024, the NFL reversed course and announced a three-year agreement with Netflix to nationally stream two Christmas Day games in 2024, and at least one holiday game in both 2025 and 2026.[15][16] The Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Pittsburgh Steelers, and two-time defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs were selected for the 2024 games. The Netflix games aired on local television affiliates in each respective team's television markets per NFL regulations. [17] All four teams played the previous Saturday to make the turnaround between games similar to that of a Sunday to Thursday night contest. The first ever halftime show for Christmas Gameday was headlined by Beyoncé on Christmas Day.[18]

All-time results

[edit]

1971 Divisional Round

[edit]
Season Visiting team Score Home team Significance Location TV
1971 Dallas Cowboys 20–12 Minnesota Vikings Cowboys–Vikings rivalry Metropolitan Stadium CBS[19]
Miami Dolphins 27–24 (2OT) Kansas City Chiefs Longest NFL game Municipal Stadium NBC[20]

Regular season

[edit]
Season Visiting team Score Home team Significance Location TV/Streaming
1989 Cincinnati Bengals 21–29 Minnesota Vikings — Metrodome ABC[21]
1993 Houston Oilers 10–7 San Francisco 49ers — Candlestick Park NBC[22]
1994 Detroit Lions 20–27 Miami Dolphins — Joe Robbie Stadium ESPN[23]
1995 Dallas Cowboys 37–13 Arizona Cardinals — Sun Devil Stadium ABC[24]
1999 Denver Broncos 17–7 Detroit Lions — Pontiac Silverdome CBS[25]
2000 Dallas Cowboys 0–31 Tennessee Titans — Adelphia Coliseum ABC[26]
2004 Oakland Raiders 30–31 Kansas City Chiefs Chiefs–Raiders rivalry Arrowhead Stadium CBS[27]
Denver Broncos 37–16 Tennessee Titans — The Coliseum ESPN[28]
2005 Chicago Bears 24–17 Green Bay Packers Bears–Packers rivalry Lambeau Field Fox[29]
Minnesota Vikings 23–30 Baltimore Ravens — M&T Bank Stadium ESPN[30]
2006 Philadelphia Eagles 23–7 Dallas Cowboys Cowboys–Eagles rivalry Texas Stadium NBC[31]
New York Jets 13–10 Miami Dolphins Dolphins–Jets rivalry Dolphin Stadium ESPN[32]
2009 San Diego Chargers 42–17 Tennessee Titans — LP Field NFLN[33]
2010 Dallas Cowboys 26–27 Arizona Cardinals — University of Phoenix Stadium NFLN[34]
2011 Chicago Bears 21–35 Green Bay Packers Bears–Packers rivalry
2010 NFC Championship Game rematch		 Lambeau Field NBC[35]
2016 Baltimore Ravens 27–31 Pittsburgh Steelers Ravens–Steelers rivalry Heinz Field NFLN[36]
Denver Broncos 10–33 Kansas City Chiefs Broncos–Chiefs rivalry Arrowhead Stadium NBC[37]
2017 Pittsburgh Steelers 34–6 Houston Texans — NRG Stadium NBC/NFLN[38]
Oakland Raiders 10–19 Philadelphia Eagles — Lincoln Financial Field ESPN[39]
2020 Minnesota Vikings 33–52 New Orleans Saints Saints–Vikings rivalry
2019 NFC Wild Card Round rematch		 Mercedes-Benz Superdome Fox/NFLN[40]
2021 Cleveland Browns 22–24 Green Bay Packers — Lambeau Field Fox/NFLN[41]
Indianapolis Colts 22–16 Arizona Cardinals — State Farm Stadium NFLN[42]
2022 Green Bay Packers 26–20 Miami Dolphins — Hard Rock Stadium Fox[43]
Denver Broncos 14–51 Los Angeles Rams — SoFi Stadium CBS/Nick[44]
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 19–16 (OT) Arizona Cardinals — State Farm Stadium NBC[45]
2023 Las Vegas Raiders 20–14 Kansas City Chiefs Chiefs–Raiders rivalry Arrowhead Stadium CBS/Nick[46]
New York Giants 25–33 Philadelphia Eagles Eagles–Giants rivalry
2022 NFC Divisional Round rematch		 Lincoln Financial Field Fox[47]
Baltimore Ravens 33–19 San Francisco 49ers — Levi's Stadium ABC[48]
2024 Kansas City Chiefs 29–10 Pittsburgh Steelers — Acrisure Stadium Netflix[49]
Baltimore Ravens 31–2 Houston Texans 2023 AFC Divisional Round rematch NRG Stadium Netflix[50]

Christmas Day standings

[edit]

By franchise (through the 2024 games)

Team Games played Wins Losses Ties Win %
Philadelphia Eagles 3 3 0 0 1.000
Indianapolis Colts 1 1 0 0 1.000
Los Angeles Chargers 1 1 0 0 1.000
Los Angeles Rams 1 1 0 0 1.000
New Orleans Saints 1 1 0 0 1.000
New York Jets 1 1 0 0 1.000
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1 1 0 0 1.000
Baltimore Ravens 4 3 1 0 .750
Green Bay Packers 4 3 1 0 .750
Pittsburgh Steelers 3 2 1 0 .667
Kansas City Chiefs 5 3 2 0 .600
Denver Broncos 4 2 2 0 .500
Miami Dolphins 4 2 2 0 .500
Tennessee Titans 4 2 2 0 .500
Chicago Bears 2 1 1 0 .500
Dallas Cowboys 5 2 3 0 .400
Las Vegas Raiders 3 1 2 0 .333
Arizona Cardinals 4 1 3 0 .250
Minnesota Vikings 4 1 3 0 .250
Cincinnati Bengals 1 0 1 0 .000
Cleveland Browns 1 0 1 0 .000
New York Giants 1 0 1 0 .000
Detroit Lions 2 0 2 0 .000
Houston Texans 2 0 2 0 .000
San Francisco 49ers 2 0 2 0 .000

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Ho Ho Ho! The NFL on Christmas History
  2. ^ "NFL Playoffs on Christmas Draw Protests Across Land". Los Angeles Times. 1971-12-17.
  3. ^ Eldridge, Larry (1971-12-22). "The football grinch who stole Christmas". The Christian Science Monitor.
  4. ^ "1986 USFL Schedule - USFL (United States Football League)".
  5. ^ "2020 NFL schedule includes rare Friday game as Christmas Day surprise in Week 16". CBSSports.com. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  6. ^ "NFL's schedule features twists". Los Angeles Times. 2009-04-15. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
  7. ^ "The NFL is reportedly planning on a Christmas Day tripleheader this year". Awful Announcing. 2022-04-22. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
  8. ^ Florio, Mike (2022-04-22). "NFL plans a Christmas Day triple-header, for the first time ever". ProFootballTalk. Retrieved 2022-04-22.
  9. ^ Bromberg, Nick (May 10, 2022). "2022 NFL schedule: Rams will host Russell Wilson and Broncos as part of Christmas tripleheader". Yahoo! Sports. Retrieved May 10, 2022.
  10. ^ "Fox Corporation Announces New Eleven-Year Media Rights Agreement with the National Football League". PR News Wire. Retrieved March 31, 2021.
  11. ^ "2023 NFL schedule release: Tripleheaders highlight Thanksgiving, Christmas Day slates". NFL.com. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  12. ^ Benjamin, Cody (May 11, 2023). "2023 NFL schedule release: Chiefs to headline Nickelodeon's special 'Nickmas' game on Christmas Day". CBS Sports. Retrieved August 16, 2023.
  13. ^ Beaton, Andrew (December 22, 2023). "The Year the NFL Stole Christmas". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  14. ^ Florio, Mike (December 22, 2023). "NFL claims it won't schedule Christmas games when December 25 lands on a Tuesday or Wednesday". Pro Football Talk. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  15. ^ "NFL to play two games on Christmas Day Wednesday in 2024". ESPN. March 26, 2024. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
  16. ^ Spangler, Todd (May 15, 2024). "Netflix Scores Two NFL Christmas Day 2024 Games Under Three-Year Deal With League". Variety. Retrieved May 15, 2024.
  17. ^ "2024 NFL Christmas Games: Schedule, teams, how to watch". Fox Sports. November 25, 2024. Retrieved November 29, 2024.
  18. ^ Dunn, Billie (2024-12-23). "Beyoncé's Christmas Halftime Show: When Will It Air Around the World?". Newsweek. Retrieved 2024-12-23.
  19. ^ "Divisional Round - Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings - December 25th, 1971". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  20. ^ "Divisional Round - Miami Dolphins at Kansas City Chiefs - December 25th, 1971". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  21. ^ "Cincinnati Bengals at Minnesota Vikings - December 25th, 1989". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  22. ^ "Houston Oilers at San Francisco 49ers - December 25th, 1993". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  23. ^ "Detroit Lions at Miami Dolphins - December 25th, 1994". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  24. ^ "Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals - December 25th, 1995". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  25. ^ "Denver Broncos at Detroit Lions - December 25th, 1999". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  26. ^ "Dallas Cowboys at Tennessee Titans - December 25th, 2000". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  27. ^ "Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs - December 25th, 2004". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  28. ^ "Denver Broncos at Tennessee Titans - December 25th, 2004". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  29. ^ "Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers - December 25th, 2005". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  30. ^ "Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens - December 25th, 2005". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  31. ^ "Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys - December 25th, 2006". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  32. ^ "New York Jets at Miami Dolphins - December 25th, 2006". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  33. ^ "San Diego Chargers at Tennessee Titans - December 25th, 2009". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  34. ^ "Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals - December 25th, 2010". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  35. ^ "Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers - December 25th, 2011". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  36. ^ "Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers - December 25th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  37. ^ "Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs - December 25th, 2016". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  38. ^ "Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans - December 25th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  39. ^ "Oakland Raiders at Philadelphia Eagles - December 25th, 2017". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  40. ^ "Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints - December 25th, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  41. ^ "Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers - December 25th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  42. ^ "Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals - December 25th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-06-09.
  43. ^ "Green Bay Packers at Miami Dolphins - December 25th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
  44. ^ "Denver Broncos at Los Angeles Rams - December 25th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
  45. ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Arizona Cardinals - December 25th, 2022". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2022-12-26.
  46. ^ "Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs - December 25th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  47. ^ "New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles - December 25th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  48. ^ "Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers - December 25th, 2023". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2023-12-27.
  49. ^ "Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers - December 25th, 2024". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
  50. ^ "Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans - December 25th, 2024". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved 2024-12-27.
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