Christmas used to belong to the NBA. It was just a thing we all accepted, like eating too much ham or pretending to like fruitcake. But the NFL decided to crash the party a few years back, and honestly, they've basically taken over the living room.
If you're trying to figure out who is playing NFL football on Christmas Day, you're looking at a very specific, high-stakes doubleheader. For the 2024 season (which we are currently looking back on as the definitive shift in holiday broadcasting), the league made a massive pivot. They partnered with Netflix. Yeah, the "Stranger Things" people are now the home of holiday football. It’s a bit weird to open an app instead of a traditional channel, but that's where the world is headed.
The games aren't just random matchups to fill time. We are talking about heavy hitters. The first game features the Kansas City Chiefs taking on the Pittsburgh Steelers. Following that, the Baltimore Ravens face off against the Houston Texans.
The Netflix Shift: Why This Year Feels Different
It’s kind of wild when you think about it. Usually, if Christmas falls on a Wednesday, the NFL might skip it or play a limited schedule. Not anymore. The league saw the ratings from previous years and realized people would rather watch Patrick Mahomes than literally anything else.
Netflix paid a massive premium for these rights. We're talking about a multi-year deal where they get at least one game a year, but this year they got two. If you’re used to just turning on CBS or FOX, you’ve gotta adjust. You need a subscription. This isn't just about the teams; it's about how we consume sports. It’s a massive experiment. Will the servers hold up? Probably. But for fans, the main question is still about the talent on the field.
Who is playing NFL football on Christmas Day? The Matchups
The first game of the day kicks off at 1:00 PM ET. It’s the Chiefs at the Steelers.
This is a fascinating matchup because of the contrast in styles. You have the Chiefs, who are basically the "final boss" of the NFL at this point. Mahomes, Kelce, and Andy Reid's playbook that seems to have a thousand different ways to ruin a defensive coordinator's life. On the other side, the Steelers are... well, they're the Steelers. Mike Tomlin has never had a losing season, and he leans on a defense that hits like a freight train. T.J. Watt coming off the edge against Mahomes is the kind of theatre that makes holiday football worth it.
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Chiefs vs. Steelers: The Tactical Nightmare
Kansas City is used to the spotlight. They’ve played on Christmas before. They actually lost to the Raiders on Christmas in 2023, which was a huge shocker. You can bet they aren't looking to repeat that kind of performance.
The Steelers’ defense is the equalizer here. If they can get pressure with just four linemen, Mahomes has to scramble. When he scrambles, magic or mayhem happens. There is no in-between. Pittsburgh fans are some of the most traveled in the league, so expect Acrisure Stadium (or wherever the "home" vibe shifts) to be incredibly loud, even with the holiday distractions.
Ravens vs. Texans: The New Blood vs. The MVP
Later in the afternoon, around 4:30 PM ET, we get the Ravens at the Texans.
If you haven't been paying attention to Houston, you’ve been missing out. C.J. Stroud came into the league and immediately started playing like a ten-year veteran. He’s got ice in his veins. But standing across from him is Lamar Jackson.
Lamar is a different beast entirely. You can't really "scheme" for him because he breaks the math of football. If you cover the receivers, he runs for 20 yards. If you spy him with a linebacker, he throws a 40-yard dime. The Ravens’ offense under Todd Monken has become much more vertical, making them terrifying to defend.
The Logistics of a Wednesday Christmas
Playing on a Wednesday is a nightmare for players.
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Usually, NFL weeks follow a strict rhythm. Sunday game, Monday film, Tuesday off, Wednesday-Friday practice. When you play on Christmas Wednesday, everything breaks. Players basically have to treat the previous Saturday like a Tuesday. It’s a "short week" on steroids.
The NFLPA (the players' union) has had plenty to say about this. Player safety is the big talking point. Recovery time is sliced thin. However, the revenue generated by these holiday windows is so massive that it's hard for anyone to say no. The salary cap goes up when the league makes more money, and nothing makes money like Christmas Day football.
What about the fans at the stadium?
Honestly, it’s a tough sell for some families. You’re asking people to leave their homes, their kids' new toys, and their dinner tables to go sit in potentially freezing weather in Pittsburgh or Baltimore. But the NFL is a religion. The stands will be packed.
For the people at home, it’s a buffet. You start with the gifts, move to the Chiefs game, eat dinner during the halftime of the Ravens game, and pass out on the couch by the fourth quarter. It’s the new American tradition.
Why the Texans are the Wildcard
A lot of people are focusing on the Chiefs because, obviously, they’re the champs. But the Texans are the team that could actually "break" the Christmas broadcast.
Last season, Houston was the surprise of the league. This year, they are the hunted. DeMeco Ryans has built a culture there that mirrors his playing days—tough, fast, and disciplined. Seeing how Stroud handles the pressure of a global Netflix audience is going to be the biggest storyline of the evening.
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Keys to the Ravens-Texans Game
- Lamar's Legs: If the Texans can’t contain the edges, it’s over.
- Stroud’s Precision: He doesn't turn the ball over often. In a tight game, that’s everything.
- The Netflix Factor: Seriously, the production value will be different. Expect more "behind the scenes" feel and maybe some weird celebrity cameos in the booth.
How to Watch (And What You Need)
You can't just flip to Channel 4.
You need the Netflix app. If you’re at Grandma’s house and she doesn't have a smart TV, you might be the one tasked with setting up a Roku or a laptop with an HDMI cable. It’s better to figure that out on December 24th than five minutes before kickoff.
The NFL is also making sure the games are available on local broadcast stations in the home markets of the competing teams. So, if you live in Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, or Houston, you can still use your antenna. Everyone else? You’re streaming.
The Impact on the Standings
By the time Christmas rolls around, we are in Week 17.
This isn't early-season fluff. These games will likely decide who gets a first-round bye and who is fighting for their life in the Wild Card race. The Ravens and Chiefs are almost always in the hunt for the #1 seed. A win on Christmas could mean the difference between playing at home in January or traveling to a snowy Buffalo or Cincinnati.
Final Thoughts on the Holiday Slate
The NFL has officially conquered Christmas. While some purists hate the move away from traditional TV, the reality is that the matchups are too good to ignore.
The combination of Mahomes, Jackson, Stroud, and the Steelers' "Steel Curtain" legacy is a perfect storm for sports fans. It’s high-octane, high-stakes, and frankly, a lot more entertaining than another rerun of a Christmas movie you’ve seen thirty times.
Actionable Steps for Fans
- Check Your Subscription: Make sure your Netflix account is active and you know the password. Don't be the person resetting their password while the opening kickoff is happening.
- Update the App: If you’re using a smart TV or a gaming console, run the updates a day early. Streaming live sports requires a stable version of the app to avoid buffering.
- Plan the Meal: Since the games run from 1:00 PM to roughly 8:00 PM ET, plan your main meal for either the gap between games or right at the 1:00 PM kickoff.
- Monitor Injury Reports: In Week 17, stars are often "banged up." Keep an eye on the Wednesday injury reports (which will actually come out on Sunday/Monday for these teams) to see if key players like T.J. Watt or Mark Andrews are active.
- Check Local Listings: If you are in one of the four team cities, verify which local channel has the simulcast so you don't burn your data or bandwidth if you don't have to.
The shift to streaming is here, and the NFL's Christmas Day lineup is the biggest proof yet that the league will go wherever the viewers (and the money) are. Enjoy the games, stay warm, and get ready for some of the best football of the year.