What NFL Games Are Being Played on Christmas Day?
The NFL is hosting multiple regular-season games on Christmas Day, December 25, as part of the league’s Week 17 schedule. The games are not exhibitions or special events. They count fully toward the regular season standings and are played under standard league rules and conditions.
The schedule places games across the afternoon and evening, creating a full day of football rather than a single standalone matchup. This format allows fans to watch multiple games without overlapping kickoffs.
Which Teams Are Playing in Today’s NFL Christmas Games?
Three matchups are scheduled for Christmas Day. The Dallas Cowboys play the Washington Commanders in an early game. Later in the afternoon, the Detroit Lions face the Minnesota Vikings. The evening game features the Denver Broncos against the Kansas City Chiefs.
All six teams are competing as part of their normal divisional and conference schedules. Several of the matchups involve division rivals, which adds weight to the results at this stage of the season.
What Time Do the NFL Christmas Day Games Start?
The first game begins in the early afternoon, followed by a late afternoon kickoff and a primetime matchup in the evening. The staggered schedule prevents overlap and gives each game a dedicated broadcast window.
This structure mirrors a traditional Sunday lineup, condensed into a single holiday. Fans can watch one game at a time without choosing between simultaneous broadcasts.
Are These Games Important for the Regular Season?
Because Christmas falls late in the NFL calendar, the games take place during one of the final weeks of the regular season. Wins and losses at this point directly affect division standings and postseason positioning.
Teams have limited opportunities remaining to improve their records, making each game more consequential than earlier matchups. As a result, Christmas Day games often resemble late-season football in intensity and pace rather than holiday novelty events.
