If you’re a Ravens fan, Christmas isn’t just about the tree or the ham. It’s about 250-pound linebackers and Lamar Jackson making people look silly on national television. You probably need to know what time is the ravens game on christmas day so you can figure out when to open gifts or when to tell your aunt that, sorry, the dinner table has to wait because there’s a massive AFC showdown happening.
Honestly, the NFL has basically turned Christmas into "Thanksgiving Part Two." They saw the ratings and decided that the holiday belongs to them now. For 2025, the league leaned even harder into this, scheduling a Wednesday tripleheader that features the Baltimore Ravens traveling to Houston to take on C.J. Stroud and the Texans.
The Kickoff Details You Actually Need
Let’s get straight to the point. The Ravens vs. Texans game is scheduled to kick off at 4:30 PM ET.
It’s the middle slot of the NFL’s holiday tripleheader. If you’re on the West Coast, you’re looking at a 1:30 PM start, which is basically the perfect excuse to skip the post-lunch cleanup. Because this game is on a Wednesday, it’s a weird vibe for the players and the fans. Usually, we're used to Sunday or Monday night games, but Netflix—yeah, you heard that right, Netflix—has the exclusive rights to the Christmas Day games this year.
This isn't on CBS. It isn't on FOX. If you try to find it on your local cable box without a streaming setup, you might be staring at a blank screen or a Yule Log broadcast. You’ll need a Netflix subscription to watch the Ravens on Christmas Day. However, if you live in the local Baltimore or Houston markets, the NFL usually mandates that the game also airs on a local over-the-air station. For everyone else, it's all about that "Are you still watching?" prompt.
Why the Timing is Such a Big Deal
The 4:30 PM window is the "sweet spot" of holiday sports. The morning game (Chiefs vs. Steelers at 1:00 PM ET) is for when people are still opening boxes. The night game is for when everyone is in a food coma. But that 4:30 window? That's the peak.
💡 You might also like: Nebraska Basketball Women's Schedule: What Actually Matters This Season
The Ravens are coming into this with a lot of baggage and a lot of talent. By the time Christmas rolls around, the playoff picture in the AFC is usually a mess of tiebreakers and "what-if" scenarios. Playing a high-caliber team like the Texans at this specific time means the whole country is watching. Lamar Jackson has historically been incredible in standalone, high-stakes games, but the short week—playing on a Wednesday after a Sunday game—is a nightmare for the training staff.
The Netflix Factor and How to Watch
It’s kinda wild that we’re watching NFL football on a movie streaming platform. This is the first year of a multi-year deal where Netflix owns Christmas. If you’re wondering what time is the ravens game on christmas day because you’re planning a watch party at your grandma’s house, make sure she has the Wi-Fi password ready.
- Streaming: Netflix is the exclusive global home.
- Local TV: In Baltimore, expect it on WBAL-TV or a similar local affiliate.
- Radio: 98 Rock (97.9 FM) and WBAL (1090 AM) for the local call with Gerry Sandusky.
- Mobile: The NFL+ app usually carries these games, but often only for tablets or phones.
Think about the bandwidth. If ten people at your house are all trying to stream different things while you’re trying to watch the Ravens, that 4:30 kickoff is going to look like a pixelated mess. Kick the kids off the iPad for a few hours.
A Brutal Schedule for the Flock
Playing on Christmas is a double-edged sword. On one hand, you’re the only thing on TV. On the other hand, the Ravens are basically losing their holiday to work.
John Harbaugh is a coach who values routine. A Wednesday game destroys routine. The Ravens played the Steelers on the Sunday prior to this, meaning they only have two "real" days of preparation before flying to Houston. That is a brutal turnaround. You can expect the injury report to be the most-read document in Maryland that week.
📖 Related: Missouri vs Alabama Football: What Really Happened at Faurot Field
When you look at the Ravens' history on Christmas, they’ve actually been here before. Last year, they absolutely dismantled the 49ers on Christmas night. It was a statement game. But that was a Monday. A Wednesday game feels different. It feels like a mid-week fever dream. The energy in NRG Stadium in Houston will be electric because the Texans are no longer the pushovers they were a few years ago.
Key Matchups to Watch at 4:30 PM
By the time 4:30 PM rolls around, the Chiefs-Steelers game will be wrapping up. You’ll see the transition from the heavy-hitting, grind-it-out style of Pittsburgh to the track meet that the Ravens and Texans usually put on.
Kyle Hamilton vs. Dalton Schultz is a chess match. Roquan Smith trying to disguise blitzes against a young quarterback like Stroud is going to be high-level football. And of course, the main event: Lamar Jackson versus the Texans' pass rush. Will Anderson Jr. is a problem. A big one. The Ravens' offensive line has been a bit of a rotating door at times, and if they can't protect Lamar, that 4:30 PM start time is going to feel like a very long afternoon for Ravens fans.
Logistics: Getting to the Game or Getting Ready
If you’re one of the lucky ones actually going to Houston, the 3:30 PM local (CT) kickoff means you’re dealing with holiday traffic around the stadium. Parking at NRG is always a bit of a headache, but on Christmas Day, expect half the staff to be at home and the other half to be slightly annoyed they’re working.
For those of us on the couch, the 4:30 PM ET timing means the sun is starting to go down on the East Coast. It’s that perfect time to transition from coffee to something a bit stronger.
👉 See also: Miami Heat New York Knicks Game: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
Surprising Christmas NFL Stats
Did you know the NFL didn’t even play on Christmas for years? They used to avoid it like the plague to keep the day for the NBA. Now, the roles have reversed. The NFL is the 800-pound gorilla in the room. Last year’s Christmas games averaged over 28 million viewers. That’s more than almost any regular-season game.
The Ravens are 3-1 all-time on Christmas Day. They seem to enjoy the spotlight. There's something about the "us against the world" mentality that Harbaugh builds which thrives when everyone is home watching them.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Holiday Schedule
A lot of fans assume that because it’s a "special" game, the kickoff might be flexible or that there will be a long pre-game show like the Super Bowl. Nope. The NFL is a machine. 4:30 PM is 4:30 PM. If the 1:00 PM game goes into overtime, Netflix will likely have a separate stream ready or just cut the intro short.
Another misconception is that the players hate it. While they definitely miss their families, many veterans talk about the "honor" of being the only game on. It’s a legacy thing. If you play well on Christmas, people remember it for years. Think about the historic performances of the past—players like Derrick Henry or AJ Brown have had massive holiday games that defined their seasons.
Practical Steps for Ravens Fans
Don't wait until 4:25 PM to check if your Netflix login works. Seriously. Every year, thousands of people miss the first quarter of games because they're resetting passwords or realizing their subscription expired.
- Check your Netflix tier. Make sure you have the plan that allows for high-definition streaming if you want to see the blades of grass.
- Sync the dinner bell. If you're the cook, aim for a 3:30 PM dinner. This gives you an hour to eat and clear the plates before the coin toss.
- Update your apps. If you’re traveling and watching on a phone, make sure the Netflix app is updated over Wi-Fi before you hit the road.
- Prepare for the "Wednesday" factor. Remember that the day after this game is a Thursday, which is a normal work day for most people. The 4:30 PM slot is great because the game will be over by 7:30 or 8:00 PM, giving you plenty of time to wind down before the "real" world starts again on Thursday morning.
The Ravens are built for this kind of stage. They have the reigning MVP, a defense that flies to the ball, and a kicker in Justin Tucker who basically doesn't feel pressure. Whether they win or lose, at least you won't have to spend the whole day wondering what time is the ravens game on christmas day now that you've got the schedule locked in. Set the alarm, wear the purple jersey under your Christmas sweater, and get ready for some AFC North-style holiday cheer.