NFL’s Christmas Day games lackluster despite fierce division rivalries
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On paper, Netflix had great episode pairings on Christmas Day in Week 17, when the season began.
Of course, the NFL season never goes as planned, and the three games scheduled for the holiday are not what anyone planned.
Why? Star point guards won’t play in every game.
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Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott walks off the field after the team’s NFL football game against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Jeffrey McWhorter)
Kicking off Christmas Day will be the NFC East battle between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders, with both teams already eliminated from playoff contention.
While Dak Prescott and company look to finish the season strong, the Commanders shut down their second-year quarterback, Jayden Daniels, who led them to the NFC Championship Game in his rookie season just a year ago, after his elbow injury re-aggravated.
In fact, the Commanders won’t even be able to see Daniels’ backup Marcus Mariota, who has had to start eight games this season, as he is dealing with an injury. Veteran Josh Johnson will be the starter on Christmas Day in Landover, Maryland, for a 4-11 Commanders team that hopes to at least make the playoffs after a spectacular finish in 2024.
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“When you circle those matchups, that’s exactly what you think: This is going to be great. How it’s all planned out – divisional games between the two games in Philadelphia and the Dallas game in between,” Commanders head coach Dan Quinn said.
“It still means a lot to play these league games.”
Unfortunately for both teams, this will be just for bragging rights.
Washington Commanders’ Jayden Daniels looks on from the sidelines after leaving the game in the second half against the Minnesota Vikings at US Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota on December 7, 2025. (Ellen Schmidt/Getty Images)
At 4:30 p.m. ET, the home team in Minneapolis will be without its own second-year signal-caller JJ McCarthy as the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings compete in a storied rivalry in the NFC North.
McCarthy was injured in last week’s win against the New York Giants and Max Brosmer will have to start again in Kevin O’Connell’s group.
The Minnesota product’s first career start didn’t go over well in Seattle as the Seahawks found their way around Brosmer on defense. Maybe the home crowd can make him and the Vikings’ offense better, but at least the Lions still have something to play for.
Detroit comes into this game coming off a tough loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers; Amon-Ra St. The game-winning touchdown was called back after Brown was penalized for offensive pass interference, blocking Jared Goff from flying into the end zone after the star receiver’s throw back.
Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes chews on his mouth guard during warm-ups before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2024, in Kansas City, Mo. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann, File)
The Lions need to win their remaining two games, while the Green Bay Packers also need to lose their final two games to secure the final NFC wild card.
Finally, and perhaps the biggest disappointment for Netflix, was the Kansas City Chiefs not being able to see Patrick Mahomes on the field this offseason.
Mahomes suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament and had to have immediate surgery repaired after a loss two weeks ago that left them out of playoff contention. The Chiefs were hoping backup Gardner Minshew could finish the season, but he tore his anterior cruciate ligament in last week’s loss to the Tennessee Titans.
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That leaves Chris Oladokun, the USF graduate who replaced Minshew last week, Bo Nix and a roster that has clinched a spot in the playoffs against the 12-3 Denver Broncos. Denver will still play hard to ensure home games in the playoffs as they compete for the No. 1 overall seed in the AFC.
These games are supposed to be potential division/playoff matchups, but the NFL and its fan base are hoping these games aren’t as lopsided as some believe.
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