The NFL didn't want to stick broadcast partners Amazon and Netflix with bad matchups for Christmas. On paper, back when the schedule was released in May, the Christmas slate looked great.
It didn't turn out as expected.
The first game was between theDallas Cowboysand Washington Commanders. The Cowboys probably weren't going to be great this season, but they're the Cowboys and the Commanders had an exciting 2024 season with Jayden Daniels. Both teams are well out of the playoff race, andDaniels has been shut down for the yeardue to an elbow injury.
Last season the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings entered the regular-season finale both at 14-2 playing for a division title, a game Detroit won. This season theLions are barely hanging on to any playoff hopewhile the Vikings have been eliminated. And theVikings will be down their top two quarterbacks.
The Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs were both playoff teams last season and the Chiefs are one of the NFL's marquee draws. Instead of a fun game between division rivals, we get a 6-9 Chiefs team that just lost to the Titans and is also down to their third-string quarterback. TheBroncos are the only team among the six playing on Christmaswho will be in the playoffs, unless the Lions have a miraculous rally.
Are you ready for some Christmas football?
Let's equate the three Christmas games with the gifts you might find under the tree or in your stocking.
A pair of socks: Cowboys at Commanders
It's not just that Jayden Daniels will miss this game. Marcus Mariota is no sure thing as he deals with quad and hand injuries that forced him out of Washington's Week 16 loss to the Eagles. We might get Josh Johnson starting for Washington. We could see half of the teams on Christmas starting third-string quarterbacks.
At least the Cowboys are fun to watch on offense. Dak Prescott has had a good season throwing to CeeDee Lamb and George Pickens. Dallas is a bad team overall, due to a poor defense, but at leastfantasy players with any Cowboys in your championship gamewill be interested. There's not much other reason to be fired up for this one, but like when you unwrap those ugly socks, we'll politely smile and put them on.
Re-gifted bread maker: Lions at Vikings
That bread maker might be unexciting, but at least you might use it once or twice. That's how Lions at Vikings feels. The Lions have some interest, though their 7% chance of making the playoffs (via NFL.com) is not the easiest sell. At least there are some exciting players like Jahmyr Gibbs on that side.
The Vikings have a superstar too in Justin Jefferson, but he has been a non-factor most of the season due to a miserable Vikings quarterback situation. The QB situation will be even worse on Christmas since J.J. McCarthy will be out due to a hairline fracture in his right throwing hand. That will give undrafted rookie Max Brosmer another start. Brosmer threw four interceptions and had a 32.8 passer rating in his only other NFL start.
There are a few disappointing teams in the NFL this season, but these two are near the top of the list. And, incredibly, because the two teams are hovering around .500, it's the best matchup of the three Christmas games.
Coal in the stocking: Broncos at Chiefs
At least the NFL saved the worst for last. The Chiefs are on prime time a lot, and love them or hate them, they usually put on a good show. That was beforePatrick Mahomes tore his ACL.Gardner Minshew II didn't even last a half in his first start last week replacing Mahomes before he suffered a season-ending knee injury.
Next man up is presumably Chris Oladokun, a 2022 seventh-round pick who before Minshew's injury last Sunday had only taken a few snaps in the NFL. While it's a great opportunity for a player who has spent most of his career on practice squads, it's hard to see him keeping the Chiefs competitive against a very good Broncos defense. TheChiefs are a 13-point underdog, the largest spread they've faced since 1977. You don't even have to feign enthusiasm for this one.
Of the six teams playing on Christmas, the Broncos are the one that actually has a realistic postseason goal in front of it. The Broncos can still get the No. 1 seed in the AFC despite last week's loss to the Jaguars. They still are in a race for the AFC West title with the Chargers. This game initially looked like it could be a huge one, with the Chiefs trying to extend their streak of nine straight AFC West titles against a very strong competitor. It didn't play out as expected. None of the Christmas matchups did.
