Christmas used to be for the NBA. That was the unwritten rule of the sports world for decades. You’d open your presents, eat some ham, and turn on ABC to watch LeBron or Steph Curry. But the NFL decided to change that, and honestly, they’ve basically taken over the holiday. If you're wondering who's playing NFL football on Christmas Day this year, you aren't just looking for a kickoff time. You're looking for a streaming login.
The 2024-2025 season marks a massive shift in how we watch the league. For the first time ever, Netflix is the exclusive home of the NFL’s Christmas Day doubleheader. This isn't just another game on CBS or FOX. It’s a multi-billion dollar bet that people will migrate from traditional cable to a streaming giant while they're still wearing their pajamas.
The league scheduled two massive games for Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024. First up, the Kansas City Chiefs travel to face the Pittsburgh Steelers. Then, in the late afternoon slot, the Baltimore Ravens take on the Houston Texans.
Why the NFL Owns Your Christmas Now
It wasn't always like this. For years, the NFL stayed away from Christmas unless it fell on a weekend. They didn't want to step on Santa’s toes, or perhaps more accurately, they didn't think the viewership was worth the logistical nightmare. That changed. People realized that football is the ultimate family activity.
Hans Schroeder, the NFL’s Executive Vice President of Media Distribution, admitted that the data was too good to ignore. Last year’s tripleheader drew massive numbers. We're talking about an average of 28 million viewers. That’s Super Bowl-adjacent territory for a regular-season game. It’s why Netflix reportedly paid around $75 million per game to secure these rights.
The 2024 schedule is particularly spicy because it features four of the best quarterbacks in the AFC. You’ve got Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson—two guys with multiple MVPs—going up against the gritty Steelers defense and the rising star power of C.J. Stroud.
Chiefs vs. Steelers: Mahomes in the Steel City
The early game starts at 1:00 PM ET. It’s a classic matchup. The Chiefs are the "villains" or the "heroes" depending on how much you like Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, but there is no denying their dominance. By the time Christmas rolls around, Kansas City is usually fighting for the number one seed in the AFC.
Pittsburgh is a different animal. Mike Tomlin has a way of keeping the Steelers competitive even when they’re underdogs. If the Steelers are in the playoff hunt—which they almost always are—Acrisure Stadium is going to be loud, cold, and incredibly hostile for Mahomes. Expect a lot of "Renegade" playing on the speakers while you’re trying to finish your second helping of mashed potatoes.
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The chess match between Andy Reid and the Steelers' defensive front is the real story here. T.J. Watt against that Chiefs offensive line? That’s high-level football. It’s the kind of game that usually comes down to a field goal in the final two minutes.
Ravens vs. Texans: The Lamar and C.J. Show
At 4:30 PM ET, the action shifts to Houston. This is the game many purists are actually more excited about. The Ravens are a perennial powerhouse built on a punishing run game and Lamar Jackson's "blink-and-you-miss-him" speed.
But the Texans? They’re the league’s newest darlings. C.J. Stroud had one of the best rookie seasons in history, and Houston went out and added Stefon Diggs to an already potent offense. This is a rematch of the AFC Divisional Round from last January. In that game, the Ravens pulled away late, but the Texans showed they weren't scared of the big stage.
Playing this game in a dome in Houston is a nice reprieve from the winter weather of the early game. It’ll be fast. It’ll be high-scoring. It's the perfect backdrop for a late-afternoon nap or a heated family argument over a board game.
The Netflix Factor: What You Need to Know
Let’s be real—the biggest hurdle for most people this year isn't the matchups. It’s finding the game. If you go to Channel 4 or Channel 7, you're going to see local news or a movie. You must have a Netflix subscription to watch who's playing NFL football on Christmas Day.
- Global Reach: This is being broadcast to Netflix’s 270 million subscribers worldwide.
- Technical Specs: Netflix has been testing their live capabilities with things like the roast of Tom Brady and the upcoming Mike Tyson vs. Jake Paul fight. They cannot afford a lag during a Chiefs game.
- Local TV: If you live in the home markets of the teams (like Kansas City, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, or Houston), the games will still be available on local broadcast television. Everyone else? You’re streaming.
There’s a bit of controversy here. Some fans hate that they have to pay for yet another service to see their team. But the NFL follows the money. Always. And right now, the money is in tech companies.
What to Watch For: Playoff Implications
By December 25th, the NFL season is in its 17th week. This isn't the early-season "let's see what we have" phase. This is the "win or go home" phase.
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The AFC is a meat grinder. It is entirely possible that all four teams playing on Christmas are separated by only one or two games in the standings. A win for the Texans could mean a division title. A loss for the Steelers could mean missing the playoffs entirely.
Lamar Jackson usually plays his best football late in the year, but he’s had some struggles with injuries in December. His health will be the biggest storyline heading into the holiday. On the other side, Mahomes is famously good in December. He treats the cold like his backyard.
NFL Christmas Day History
Believe it or not, the NFL used to avoid Christmas like the plague. The first time they played on the holiday was in 1971. It was a playoff game between the Dolphins and the Chiefs. It went into double overtime and lasted over 82 minutes of game time. It was so long that people actually complained it ruined their Christmas dinner.
Because of that backlash, the league didn't play another Christmas game for 17 years.
Things have changed. Now, we crave the spectacle. We want the highlights. We want to see if Travis Kelce can catch a touchdown while his brother Jason cheers from a suite. We’ve moved from complaining about the game to making the game the center of the holiday.
Preparing Your Viewing Experience
Since these games are on Netflix, you need to check your tech beforehand. Don't wait until 12:55 PM to realize you forgot your password or that your Smart TV needs a 20-minute software update.
- Check your bandwidth. Live 4K streaming (if Netflix offers it for these games) eats a lot of data. If the whole family is on their new iPads at the same time, the game might buffer.
- Update the app. Make sure the Netflix app on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire Stick is current.
- Plan the meal around the window. The first game ends around 4:00 PM ET. The second starts shortly after. If you want a peaceful dinner, aim for the halftime of the second game.
Actionable Steps for Fans
To make the most of this year's Christmas NFL slate, you should take a few specific actions right now.
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Verify Your Subscription: If you cancelled Netflix after Stranger Things ended, you’ll need to resubscribe by late December. Keep an eye out for "Standard with Ads" plans if you want the cheapest entry point, though you'll have to see if the NFL broadcast includes additional unskippable ads.
Set Your Fantasy Lineups Early: Since it’s a Wednesday game, this is a "short week" for these players. Short weeks often lead to weird injuries or limited snap counts. If you are in your fantasy football semifinals, pay close attention to the Tuesday injury reports. Wednesday games are rare and can ruin a fantasy season if you aren't paying attention.
Local Fans, Get Your Antenna Ready: If you are in one of the four participating cities, don't assume you need Netflix. Dust off that digital antenna. You can get the game for free over the air, which often has less delay than a streaming signal.
Monitor the Standings: Start tracking the AFC North and AFC West in early December. The intensity of these Christmas games depends entirely on the stakes. If the Chiefs have already clinched the #1 seed, they might rest Mahomes. However, with the new playoff format, that's becoming less likely. Every game matters.
The NFL on Christmas isn't just a trend anymore. It's the new tradition. Whether you love the move to Netflix or hate it, the talent on the field on December 25th is undeniable. It’s elite-level football delivered straight to your living room.
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