Merry Christmas and happy holidays to everyone. After you’ve finished opening up gifts and celebrating with your family, the NFL has some stocking stuffers for you with a three-game slate.
Here is more information on the games, where to find them, and what is at stake.
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders
Game Info
Date: Thursday, December 25, 2025
Kickoff: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Northwest Stadium, Landover, Md.
TV: Netflix
What’s at Stake?
This is the only game on Thursday’s agenda that does not have some type of playoff implications. The Dallas Cowboys were eliminated from postseason contention last week with a 34-17 loss at home to the Los Angeles Chargers.
The Cowboys’ offense came out hot and heavy for the first half, scoring 17 points before the break. Jesse Minter’s defense put the clamps on from there, holding the Cowboys scoreless.
Jerry Jones has mentioned in the past that the Cowboys were not going to play for draft position, so they should take this game seriously.
The NFL season ended much sooner for the Washington Commanders than it did a season ago. Last year, the Commanders were in the NFC Championship Game, and a trendy pick to get to this year’s Super Bowl with superstar Jayden Daniels playing quarterback.
The season has not gone as planned. The Commanders are 4-11 and staring at a pick at the top of the draft instead of a run at the Lombardi trophy.
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
Game Info
Date: Thursday, December 25, 2025
Kickoff: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: US Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, Minnesota
TV: Netflix
What’s at Stake?
The Detroit Lions are hanging on by a thread for their playoff hopes. They got a break last week when the Chicago Bears came back to stun the Green Bay Packers at Soldier Field, but they could not take advantage of it.
The Lions’ comeback attempt against the Pittsburgh Steelers fell short after a controversial ending involving two separate offensive pass interference penalties being called on the Lions’ final series.
These two teams played in the final game of the regular season last year for the right to be the top seed in the NFC playoffs. Now, both teams will likely miss the playoffs. If the Lions lose, they are eliminated, and the Packers will clinch a playoff spot.
Beating the Lions will not be easy for the Vikings, who will likely start rookie Max Brosmer with JJ McCarthy sidelined due to a hand injury.
Minnesota’s defense is still tough after battering Jaxson Dart and the New York Giants on Sunday. Jared Goff and company will have their work cut out for them.
Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
Game Info
Date: Thursday, December 25, 2025
Kickoff: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri
TV: Prime Video
What’s at Stake?
When the schedule came out, this game had the opportunity to be the game of the year. The Chiefs had been to three straight Super Bowls and felt poised to get back to the big game as long as Patrick Mahomes was healthy.
The Chiefs were eliminated from postseason contention before Christmas, thanks to a loss to the Los Angeles Chargers. To make matters worse, Patrick Mahomes tore his ACL in the game.
The Denver Broncos appeared to be a team poised to challenge the Chiefs for the top spot in the AFC West. For now, they hold that top spot, but are just one game ahead of the Chargers, who they will play in two weeks. That game could have massive playoff ramifications.
The Broncos have no margin for error for the division or the one-seed, with the New England Patriots also sitting at three losses this season.
This game is massive for the Broncos if they want to earn home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.
Three games, three pay-per-view channels. My interest in the NFL decreases in direct opposition to the fracturing of the viewership into fiefdoms.
so not many of us will get to watch.