The NFL didn’t need a holiday shopping list this year—it already knew exactly what fans wanted for Christmas: more football.
In 2025, the league is delivering a full slate of action with three games scheduled for Christmas Day, marking the third time in four years that fans will enjoy a triple-header on December 25. The only recent exception came last year, when Christmas fell on a Wednesday and featured just two games.
With three matchups on the schedule, six teams will take the field on Christmas Day. Below is a complete breakdown of the games, kickoff times, and where fans can watch.
NFL Christmas Day Games – 2025 Schedule
All times listed are Eastern Time.
- Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders — 1:00 p.m.
- Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings — 4:30 p.m.
- Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs — 8:20 p.m.
How to Watch NFL Games on Christmas Day
Fans across the U.S. will be able to stream all three games, though access depends on platform subscriptions and local markets.
Live Streaming Options
- Cowboys vs. Commanders — Netflix (1:00 p.m.)
- Lions vs. Vikings — Netflix (4:30 p.m.)
- Broncos vs. Chiefs — Amazon Prime Video (8:20 p.m.)
The two afternoon games will stream exclusively on Netflix, while the prime-time matchup will air on Amazon Prime Video, the same platform that carries Thursday Night Football.
All three games will also be available on NFL+ for mobile streaming through the league’s premium subscription service.
Local TV Coverage (In-Market Only)
Viewers in the participating teams’ home markets can watch on local television stations:
- Dallas: KTVT (CBS Channel 11)
- Washington, D.C.: WUSA (CBS Channel 9)
- Detroit: WWJ-TV (CBS 62)
- Minneapolis/St. Paul: WCCO (CBS)
- Denver: KMGH (ABC Denver7)
- Kansas City: KSHB (NBC Channel 41)
Fans outside these markets will need streaming subscriptions to watch the games live.
Game-by-Game Breakdown
Cowboys vs. Commanders
- Location: Landover, Maryland
- Venue: Northwest Stadium
- Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
The Christmas opener features an NFC East rivalry between Dallas and Washington. Both teams are out of playoff contention, making pride and draft positioning the primary motivators. The Cowboys dominated the first meeting earlier this season, winning 44–22 at home on October 19.
Lions vs. Vikings
- Location: Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium
- Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
The second game of the day—and the final Netflix broadcast—features another divisional showdown. Detroit enters with its postseason hopes still alive, while Minnesota has already been eliminated, setting up a high-stakes matchup for the Lions.
Broncos vs. Chiefs
- Location: Kansas City, Missouri
- Venue: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium
- Kickoff: 8:20 p.m. ET
The nightcap brings an unexpected twist. While preseason expectations might have favored Kansas City as an AFC powerhouse, it’s Denver that enters Christmas night with a chance to clinch the AFC’s No. 1 seed. The Chiefs, meanwhile, have already been eliminated, making this matchup one of the most surprising storylines of the holiday slate.
NFL Playoff Picture Entering Week 17
AFC Standings
- Denver Broncos (12–3) – AFC West*
- New England Patriots (12–3) – AFC East*
- Jacksonville Jaguars (11–4) – AFC South
- Pittsburgh Steelers (9–6) – AFC North
- Los Angeles Chargers (11–4) – Wild Card 1
- Buffalo Bills (11–4) – Wild Card 2
- Houston Texans (10–5) – Wild Card 3
In the hunt: Colts (8–7), Ravens (7–8)
Eliminated: Chiefs, Dolphins, Bengals, Jets, Browns, Titans, Raiders
NFC Standings
- Seattle Seahawks (12–3) – NFC West*
- Chicago Bears (11–4) – NFC North*
- Philadelphia Eagles (10–5) – NFC East*
- Carolina Panthers (8–7) – NFC South
- Los Angeles Rams (11–4) – Wild Card 1*
- San Francisco 49ers (10–4) – Wild Card 2*
- Green Bay Packers (9–5–1) – Wild Card 3
In the hunt: Lions (8–7), Buccaneers (7–8)
Eliminated: Vikings, Cowboys, Falcons, Saints, Commanders, Cardinals, Giants
