Netflix 2025 NFL Christmas Day schedule: Matchups, kickoff times, key players

The NFL and Netflix are seemingly a match made in football heaven. It could also be a partnership that continues to grow. The streaming giant has made no bones about its interest in one day hosting the NFL Sunday Ticket, a service that brings nearly every game to viewers.

For now, though, Netflix subscribers must be happy with the league broadcasting Christmas Day games on the streamer. 2024 was the first year this occurred, and there were (thankfully) no glitches. Netflix will show two more games in 2025 and 2026.

But what are this year's games? The NFL schedule was announced on Wednesday, so things are now official. Here is what you need to know.

What you need to know about Netflix's NFL 2025 Christmas Day games

Dallas Cowboys at the Washington Commanders

• Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
• Location: Northwest Stadium, Landover, Maryland
• Key players for Cowboys: Quarterback Dak Prescott, wide receivers CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens, edge rusher Micah Parsons
• Key players for Commanders: Quarterback Jayden Daniels, wide receiver Terry McLaurin, linebacker Frankie Luvu

Both Christmas Day games will feature division rivals, and each team might have a good chance of winning its division. The Commanders made the playoffs last season and far exceeded expectations. A big reason for that is that Daniels, who was a rookie last season, was much better than many thought he would be at the start of his career.

The Cowboys disappointed once again. The team has significant parts, but the whole suffers many times. Dallas changed head coaches this offseason, though new head coach Brian Schottenheimer has never been a head man.

Of these two teams, Washington appears to be ascending while the Cowboys are in the same position they have been for nearly 30 years: Treading water.

Minnesota Vikings at the Detroit Lions

• Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
• Location: Ford Field, Detroit, Michigan
• Key players for Vikings: Wide receivers Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, defensive end Jonathan Allen, tight end T.J. Hockenson
• Key players for Lions: Quarterback Jared Goff, wide receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown, edge rusher Aidan Hutchinson, running back Jahmyr Gibbs

The Lions have never made a Super Bowl, and the Vikings have never won one. Detroit had an excellent season in 2024, but then the team suffered numerous injuries that gravely affected how the season ended. Minnesota also appeared to wilt at the end of last year, but more because of inconsistent quarterback play.

The difference this season for Minnesota is that the presumed QB1 will be second-year pro JJ McCarthy. He was injured before last season and missed the year. He is basically a rookie all over again in 2025.

If the Lions stay healthy, they have the talent to finally reach the championship game. However, they appear historically snake-bitten, so they might have another fantastic regular season only to fall short in the postseason again.

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