NFL Christmas Day 2025: Netflix reportedly will have two can't-miss matchups

On Christmas Day in 2024, Netflix did something it had never done. The streamer broadcast live NFL games. Your favorite place to watch things had inked a deal with the NFL to show games for at least three years. The contract might have been a prove-it one for Netflix.

The streamer was just beginning to break into major live events, and few things are bigger than NFL games (World Cup soccer is likely bigger, of course). Netflix struggled with glitches in November when showing the Jake Paul and Mike Tyson scuffle. Thankfully, the NFL games had no issues.

Plus, the halftime shows were so good that the streaming giant made Beyoncé's halftime show during the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans game a standalone. We should expect a lot of great musical acts this year, too.

2025 NFL games on Christmas Day on Netflix are being announced

But what will the games be?

According to Jordan Schultz of Fox Sports, the first one announced was the Minnesota Vikings hosting the Detroit Lions. This will be Week 17 of the NFL season, and the Vikings and Lions are expected to be among the teams battling it out for the NFC North crown. In other words, the game could be crucial.

Minnesota will have a new quarterback as the 2024 starter, Sam Darnold, left as a free agent. Second-year pro JJ McCarthy, who suffered an injury in preseason last year that caused him to miss the season, has a good chance of earning QB1 duties.

The Lions will have many new coaches, as both coordinators from 2024 left to take head coaching positions. How the new coaches mesh with Detroit's talented roster will have a huge impact on the season's success.

Netflix will also host a second game on Christmas Day. The 2025 NFL schedule will be officially announced at 8 p.m. ET on May 14. The second game is expected to be the Washington Commanders versus the Dallas Cowboys.

The exact order of Christmas Day games is not yet known, but having the Commanders host the Cowboys at 1 p.m. ET would make sense, followed by the Vikings and Lions. The Commanders were surprisingly good last season, but Dallas is an NFC East rival, so anything can happen.

Quarterback Jayden Daniels and Washington contending for the division title while Dallas battles for third place would not be unexpected. The game should be made for fantastic viewing, though.

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