The NFL schedule release in May promised an exciting NFL Christmas Day triple header of games.
It is practically impossible for the league to foretell the future of the season seven months before the games are played. At the time, the matchups looked good. The reality after Week 15 is that they are not must-see television.
The 2025 NFL Christmas Day Tripleheader
The Christmas countdown begins… 🏈🎄
NFL Christmas Day on @Netflix + @PrimeVideo pic.twitter.com/7U93QCKVHF
— NFL (@NFL) December 11, 2025
Game 1: Dallas Vs. Washington
At 1 PM ET on Netflix, the Dallas Cowboys play the Washington Commanders in DC. Both of these below .500 teams are not making the playoffs, and neither has produced a consistent stretch of great football this year. The Cowboys had some stretches, but in general, the 6-7-1 record says it all. The Commanders have been a big disappointment this year after making it to the NFC Championship last year; they are 4-10.
Will fans rush through a holiday lunch and gift exchange to tune into this game?
Game 2: Detriot Vs. Minnesota
At 4:25 PM ET on Netflix, the Detroit Lions face the Minnesota Vikings. Though the NFC North has been an exciting division to watch this year, the headliners have been Chicago at 10-4 and Green Bay at 9-4-1. Detroit is fighting for its playoff life at 8-6, but the Vikings are not really in the mix at 6-8.
Lions fans will be tuned in, but will anyone else be?
Game 3: Denver Vs. Kansas City
With the season-ending injury to Patrick Mahomes and the 6-8 Chiefs out of the playoffs for the first time in a decade, this game is perhaps the biggest disappointment. It begins at 8:15 PM on Prime Video.
The 12-2 Broncos are the only AFC team to clinch a playoff spot (and one of two in the NFL along with the Los Angeles Rams). This game had the makings of a Arrowhead battle, but with Gardner Minshew presumably under center for the Chiefs, it will not be the Christmas night present NFL fans hoped for.
The NFL acted like pigs taking over Christmas Day.
Now they are stuck with:
1pm-Commanders play who stink
4:30- Vikings play who stink
Night game- Eliminated Chiefs with no Mahomes.
Enjoy.
— Shaun Morash (@ShaunMorash) December 15, 2025
Though it would be impossible to impose a last-minute flex of Christmas Day games because of logistics and scheduling, it does make us wonder if the NFL should figure out a different way to plan Christmas games to make them relevant and exciting.
