This Christmas, the NFL is sliding down the chimney with an amazing gift: a pair of action-packed matchups to light up every football fanatic’s holiday season!
The 2024 NFL Christmas Day game schedule is out. Chiefs fans, Steelers diehards, Ravens loyalists, and Texans supporters all have something to cheer for. Here’s how to catch every tackle, touchdown, and holiday highlight.
NFL Christmas Gameday signage advertising the NFL’s two Christmas Day marquee games streaming live on Netflix in New Orleans, Louisiana, on December 1, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
The holiday kicks off at 1:00 p.m. ET with an exciting matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Pittsburgh Steelers, streamed exclusively on Netflix. Whether you’re rooting for Patrick Mahomes to lead the Chiefs to victory or hoping the Steelers bring their A-game, this game is sure to set the tone for an unforgettable Christmas Day doubleheader.
Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs scrambles away from Chris Wormley of the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first quarter during the AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 16, 2022 | Source: Getty Images
Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans
The action continues at 4:30 p.m. ET as the Baltimore Ravens take on the Houston Texans in a thrilling evening showdown streamed on Netflix. With star power on both sides and playoff implications in the air, this game promises to keep fans on the edge of their seats.
Baltimore Ravens defensive tackle Justin Madubuike tackles Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary in the first half in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on January 20, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Win-Loss Records for The Playing Teams
The Chiefs, with an impressive 14-1 record, dominate the AFC West and have already clinched their division. They showcased their dominance with both a strong home, 8-0, and away, 6-1, performance.
Xavier Worthy and Quarterback Patrick Mahomes of the Kansas City Chiefs celebrate their 27-20 win over the Baltimore Ravens at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, on September 5, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Their strong form makes them formidable opponents for the Steelers, who are tied with the Ravens at 10-5 in the AFC North. Despite this, the Steelers are still fighting to secure the best possible playoff position. The Steelers also did well at home, 5-1, and had a fair play away, 5-4.
Russell Wilson of the Pittsburgh Steelers throws a pass during the third quarter against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on December 21, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
The Ravens, at 10-5, are in a tight race in the AFC North and are looking to build momentum heading into the playoffs. Their record for away wins and losses is 5-3, and 5-2 for home.
Derrick Henry of the Baltimore Ravens reacts during the third quarter against the Pittsburgh Steelers at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore, Maryland, on December 21, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Meanwhile, the Texans, sitting at 9-6, are at the top of the AFC South. They showed off their prowess with 5-2, home records, and tied at 4-4, away. Hence, the game between the Ravens and the Texans could be crucial for both teams’ playoff aspirations and seeding.
Quintrevion Wisner of the Texas Longhorns celebrates with teammates after running the ball for a touchdown during the second quarter against the Clemson Tigers in the Playoff First Round Game in Austin, Texas, on December 21, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
A Streaming First for Netflix
Since both games will be streamed exclusively on Netflix, this marks the platform’s first foray into live NFL broadcasts. As part of a three-year deal, Netflix is now the official home for Christmas Day NFL games, bringing holiday cheer to fans like never before.
The platform has previously partnered with the NFL on shows like Quarterback released in 2023. In July 2024, it released Receiver, which features five of the NFL’s best pass catchers through the 2023 season. They include Davante Adams of the Raiders, Justin Jefferson of the Vikings, George Kittle and Deebo Samuel of the 49ers, and Amon-Ra St. Brown of the Lions.
What Else to Expect: Performances and Entertainment
In addition to the highly anticipated NFL games, Netflix offers an exciting lineup of performances this Christmas Day.
Mariah Carey will kick off the festivities with a pre-recorded rendition of “All I Want for Christmas Is You,” followed by national anthems sung by Voices of Service and Pentatonix. Beyoncé will headline the halftime show, debuting live tracks from her “Cowboy Carter” album.
Netflix Chief Content Officer, Bela Bajaria, shared that the company made a bold move last year by embracing live content, tapping into large fanbases across various genres like comedy, reality TV, and sports. She emphasized that no other live events attract the same audience size as NFL football and expressed excitement about exclusively streaming the NFL’s Christmas Day games.
Brandon Riegg, the vice president of nonfiction series and sports at Netflix, has also addressed concerns about the platform’s ability to handle a large influx of viewers. This came after streaming issues during the November 15 fight between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson.
Jake Paul and Mike Tyson fight during LIVE On Netflix: Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, on November 15, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Riegg noted that while the company had tested its systems, the massive viewership highlighted areas for improvement. “We never want to have technical issues or a disappointing experience for our members. There was a subset of people that were watching that struggled with that and we acknowledge that,” he said.
NFL Christmas Gameday signage on a blimp advertising the NFL’s two Christmas Day marquee games streaming live on Netflix in New Orleans, Louisiana, on December 1, 2024 | Source: Getty Images
Netflix has since made adjustments to prevent similar issues during future high-traffic events. Fans can expect a smoother streaming experience during the NFL’s Christmas Day games and other major live broadcasts.
