This Christmas Day, the NFL has scheduled two compelling matchups, offering fans a festive football experience. “NFL Christmas Gameday on Netflix” starts with a two-hour pregame show at 11 a.m. The Kansas City Chiefs will then face the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1 p.m. ET, followed by the Baltimore Ravens taking on the Houston Texans at 4:30 p.m. ET. Both games will be streamed live on Netflix, marking the platform’s debut as an NFL broadcaster, as AP News reported.
In a move to enhance the holiday spectacle, global superstar Beyoncé is set to perform during the halftime show of the Ravens-Texans game, adding a significant entertainment highlight to the day’s events.
The NFL’s decision to schedule games on Christmas Day reflects a strategic effort to establish a strong presence on the holiday, similar to its traditional Thanksgiving Day games. Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has expressed support for making Christmas Day games an annual fixture, regardless of the day of the week.
However, this scheduling has elicited mixed reactions from players. Baltimore Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson acknowledged the significance of playing on such a high-profile day but also expressed a desire to spend more holidays with family. Similarly, Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes noted the challenges of balancing holiday celebrations with game preparations.
Former Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger wasn’t happy about the schedule. “It’s miserable. It’s a shame that the league does this. It just shows that it’s all about money and this is a way that they can, you know, make more money and figure this thing out, because it’s not fair for the players,” Roethlisberger said in a video posted by Channel Seven. “You wanna talk about injuries and making the game safer, changing the kickoff rule and preventing guys on hip-drop tackles, and concussions, and this that and the other, and you’re going to make guys play the most violent game in the world, arguably, three games in 11 days. I mean, there’s no time for your body to get healthy and rest.”
To accommodate the Christmas Day schedule, the NFL has made adjustments to minimize disruptions. The teams playing on December 25th had their Week 16 games moved to Saturday, providing an extra day of rest and preparation, akin to the turnaround between a Sunday game and a Thursday night matchup.
This year’s Christmas games continue a tradition that began in 1971, when the NFL first held games on December 25th. Notably, the Miami Dolphins defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 27-24 in a double-overtime thriller, marking one of the longest games in NFL history.
For fans eager to watch the games, Netflix has taken significant steps to ensure a seamless streaming experience, especially after previous technical issues during high-profile live events. The platform has reportedly enhanced its streaming technology and protocols to handle the anticipated high viewership.
In addition to the live games, Netflix’s broadcast will feature commercials and sponsorships, marking a new venture into live sports advertising for the streaming giant. Brands such as FanDuel and Verizon are among the advertisers, indicating strong commercial interest in the NFL’s holiday games.
As the NFL continues to expand its presence on Christmas Day, fans can look forward to a blend of high-stakes football and top-tier entertainment, making the holiday season even more exciting for sports enthusiasts.
