Story perspectives

Christmas Day NFL: Cowboys, Lions, Broncos Shine on Streaming

12/26/2025

Summary

NFL Christmas Showdown

On December 25, 2025, the NFL scheduled three Christmas Day games.
The Dallas Cowboys faced the Washington Commanders at 1 p.m. ET.
The Detroit Lions faced the Minnesota Vikings at 4:30 p.m. ET.
The Denver Broncos faced the Kansas City Chiefs at 8:15 p.m. ET and defeated the Chiefs to claim the AFC's top seed.
All three games streamed on Netflix and Prime Video.

Summary

NFL Playoff Race

The NFL playoff picture tightens as Week 17 nears, with the Steelers poised to clinch the AFC North.
In the AFC, the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans compete for the final wild-card spot.
In the NFC, the Detroit Lions are eliminated after losing to the Minnesota Vikings, and the Dallas Cowboys seek a .500 finish.
The Denver Broncos defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 20-13, moving closer to the AFC's top seed.

Summary

Barkley Critiques NFL

Netflix's Christmas Day NFL broadcasts drew backlash as viewers criticized streaming issues and awkward Zoom interviews with former players during games.
Charles Barkley, NBA analyst, condemned the NFL for scheduling games on Christmas, arguing the day traditionally belongs to the NBA.
In 2025, there were multiple NFL games on Christmas for the fifth consecutive season, despite injuries weakening matchups.
Fans expressed frustration on social media about the chaotic broadcast experience.

History

Historical Context

In 2020, the NFL began airing games on Christmas Day, challenging the NBA's long-standing dominance of holiday sports viewership. This shift drew millions of viewers, with the 2022 Christmas broadcast attracting approximately 22.6 million viewers. By 2025, backlash from fans and analysts like Charles Barkley highlighted the growing rivalry between the NFL and NBA for holiday sports supremacy, reshaping broadcasting traditions.

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NFL Christmas Showdown

On December 25, 2025, the NFL scheduled three Christmas Day games.
The Dallas Cowboys faced the Washington Commanders at 1 p.m. ET.
The Detroit Lions faced the Minnesota Vikings at 4:30 p.m. ET.
The Denver Broncos faced the Kansas City Chiefs at 8:15 p.m. ET and defeated the Chiefs to claim the AFC's top seed.
All three games streamed on Netflix and Prime Video.

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