For the fourth consecutive year, NFL games are scheduled to be played on Christmas Day. This year’s lineup includes a doubleheader showcasing four AFC playoff contenders. The Pittsburgh Steelers will kick off the holiday by hosting the Kansas City Chiefs, followed by the Houston Texans facing off against the Baltimore Ravens. In the past two years, the NFL has featured three games on Christmas, providing football fans with ample entertainment while they celebrate the holiday and open presents.
The pressure is on for streaming giant Netflix to ensure a smooth broadcast of the NFL Christmas games, following previous technical issues. Historically, the NFL had refrained from scheduling games on Christmas; however, that changed several decades ago. The inaugural NFL Christmas game took place in the 1971 season, marking a significant shift in the league’s scheduling practices.
The 1971 season saw the introduction of Christmas games with the divisional round of playoffs commencing on the holiday. The Minnesota Vikings clashed with the Dallas Cowboys in the first-ever Christmas game on December 25, 1971, hosted at Metropolitan Stadium amidst chilly temperatures. The Cowboys emerged victorious with a 20-12 win, propelled by a stellar defensive performance and a competent offensive display. This victory set the stage for the Cowboys’ subsequent triumph in Super Bowl VI against the Miami Dolphins.
In a thrilling second game on Christmas Day, the Miami Dolphins engaged in an epic battle against the Kansas City Chiefs, resulting in a nail-biting 27-24 victory for the Dolphins after two overtime periods. This matchup holds the record as the longest game in NFL history, lasting 82 minutes and 40 seconds. Following the 1971 Christmas games, the NFL did not schedule any Christmas Day fixtures for almost two decades.
The Dallas Cowboys hold the distinction of participating in the most Christmas games, having played in five matchups leading up to this season. However, the Kansas City Chiefs are set to equal that record with their game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. On the other hand, seven NFL franchises have yet to compete in a Christmas game, including the Buffalo Bills, New England Patriots, Washington Commanders, Jacksonville Jaguars, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, and Seattle Seahawks.
Looking ahead to the 2024 Christmas NFL games, the schedule features the Pittsburgh Steelers facing off against the Kansas City Chiefs at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with kickoff set for 1 p.m. ET. Simultaneously, the Houston Texans will square off against the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, at 4:30 p.m. ET. Viewers can catch the action via streaming on Netflix or tune in to their local CBS affiliate in the Pittsburgh and Kansas City markets for the first game, and in the Houston and Baltimore markets for the second.
