It’s Christmas Day, and for football fans, that means the NFL has officially taken over the holiday. With the holiday falling on a Thursday this year, the league leaned into the moment and scheduled three games to open Week 17, spreading kickoff times across the early, afternoon, and prime-time windows.
All three games air on streaming platforms — Netflix and Prime Video — with local TV options available in each team’s market. The matchups feature familiar division rivals, postseason implications for a few teams, and a prime-time finale in Kansas City.
NFL Christmas Day Schedule for Week 17
The NFL’s Christmas slate begins in the early afternoon and builds toward a night game at Arrowhead Stadium.
The day kicks off at 1 p.m. ET when the Dallas Cowboys visit the Washington Commanders. That game streams on Netflix. Dallas enters at 6-8-1, while Washington is 4-11, making this one more about division pride than playoff positioning.
At 4:30 p.m. ET, the Detroit Lions face the Minnesota Vikings in another NFC North matchup. That game also streams on Netflix, with a CBS simulcast available in the Detroit market. Detroit, at 8-7, remains technically alive in the playoff race, though the Lions need to win out and get help from Green Bay to keep their hopes alive. Minnesota comes in at 7-8 and looks to spoil Detroit’s late push.
The final game of the day kicks off at 8:15 p.m. ET, with the Denver Broncos visiting the Kansas City Chiefs. That matchup streams nationally on Prime Video and serves as the final “Thursday Night Football” game of the 2025 season. Denver is 12-3 and has already clinched a playoff spot, while Kansas City is 6-9 and playing out the string in front of its home crowd.
How to Watch NFL Games on Christmas Day
If you’re not in a local TV market, streaming is the main way to watch today’s games.
The Cowboys vs Commanders and Lions vs Vikings games are available on Netflix and included with all subscription plans. Fans just need to log into their Netflix account to watch live.
The Broncos vs Chiefs game airs nationally on Prime Video as part of the streamer’s “Thursday Night Football” package.
For fans in local markets, the NFL requires games to be simulcast on traditional television. In Kansas City, the Broncos vs Chiefs game airs on KSHB (NBC Channel 41). In Denver, the game is available on KMGH (ABC Denver7). Viewers in those areas do not need a Prime Video subscription to watch.
Christmas Day NFL Announcers
Netflix rolled out familiar broadcast teams for its Christmas games. The Cowboys vs Commanders broadcast features Ian Eagle on play-by-play, with Nate Burleson and Matt Ryan as analysts. Sara Walsh and Melanie Collins handle sideline duties.
For Lions vs Vikings, Noah Eagle calls the game, with Drew Brees providing analysis. AJ Ross and Dianna Russini report from the sidelines.
Prime Video’s Chiefs vs Broncos broadcast features the usual Thursday Night Football crew. Al Michaels is on play-by-play, Kirk Herbstreit provides analysis, and Kaylee Hartung reports from the sidelines.
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