The NFL has never been shy about owning the holidays. Thanksgiving?
That’s been the league’s turf for decades. Black Friday?
They claimed that too this season. Now, the NFL has its sights set on Christmas Day - traditionally the NBA’s playground - and they’re going big.
Or at least, they planned to.
Before the season kicked off, the league unveiled a Christmas Day tripleheader that, on paper, looked like a gift to football fans. Three marquee matchups, three storylines to unwrap - all spread across Netflix and Amazon Prime. But as we inch closer to December 25, that shiny wrapping has started to fall apart, revealing a slate that’s lost much of its luster.
Let’s start with the opener: Cowboys vs. Commanders at 1:00 PM ET on Netflix.
Back in August, this looked like a spicy NFC East clash. Dallas, always a ratings magnet, paired with a Washington team that had the intrigue of rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels leading the charge.
But fast forward to now, and that excitement has cooled considerably. The Cowboys have stumbled, and the Commanders?
They’ve fallen hard. Daniels has battled injuries most of the year, and without him, Washington’s offense has struggled to find any rhythm.
Then there’s the 4:00 PM matchup - Vikings vs. Lions, also on Netflix.
Last year, this would’ve been a battle for the NFC North crown. Both teams were tough, physical, and playing meaningful football deep into December.
But this season hasn’t followed the script. Minnesota has slid to the bottom of the division, and while Detroit is still in the mix, they’re not the same buzz-worthy team they were a year ago.
If the league could go back, you have to think they’d swap this one out for a Packers-Bears showdown - a rivalry with more juice right now.
And finally, the primetime closer on Amazon Prime: Chiefs vs. Broncos.
This was supposed to be the main event - the defending AFC champs taking on a resurgent Denver team under Sean Payton. Instead, it’s become a case study in how quickly things can change in the NFL.
Kansas City, once the league’s gold standard, has been the season’s biggest letdown. The real gut punch?
Patrick Mahomes is out for the year, and the Chiefs have already been bounced from playoff contention. That leaves Denver and rookie QB Bo Nix with what looks like a clear path to a holiday win - not exactly the heavyweight clash fans were promised.
It’s a tough break for the NFL, but it’s also the nature of the beast. Football is unpredictable.
That’s part of what makes it so compelling - and part of what makes scheduling so tricky. You can line up what looks like a blockbuster in July, only to watch it unravel by December.
Injuries, slumps, surprise teams rising and falling - it’s all part of the ride.
So while this year’s Christmas Day lineup may not live up to the hype, the league’s ambition is clear. They’re not just dipping a toe into December 25 - they’re trying to plant a flag.
And even if this year’s games don’t deliver, don’t expect the NFL to back off anytime soon. They’re in it for the long haul.