By Waqar Ali Shah, Sports Business Correspondent | December 25, 2025 |ย Sports
Christmas Day 2025 marks a historic pivot for the NFL. What was once a broadcast TV tradition has officially moved into the streaming era, with the league using todayโs tripleheader to launch its exclusive partnership with Netflix.
If you are looking for nfl games today live, you wonโt find them on your usual local channels. Today is about digital access, massive halftime spectacles, and division rivals playing for pride and in the case of the Denver Broncos, a crucial shot at AFC seeding.
Todayโs NFL Christmas Schedule: Kick off Times & Where to Watch
Finding where to watch nfl games today is slightly more complex this year due to the split between streaming giants. Here is the official rundown:
| Game | Kickoff Time (ET) | Network / Stream |
| Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders | 1:00 PM | Netflix |
| Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings | 4:30 PM | Netflix |
| Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs | 8:15 PM | Amazon Prime Video |
The “Netflix Doubleheader”
Netflix is making its NFL debut today with more than just a scoreboard. To compete with traditional holiday broadcasts, theyโve added a Super Bowl level of production. Kelly Clarkson is set to open the festivities, while Snoop Dogg will headline a massive halftime show during the Lions Vikings game.
The Reality of the Stakes: Pride vs. Playoffs
While early season projections hoped for a win and in holiday, the reality of the nfl games today scores will tell a different story of resilience and next man up depth.
- Quarterback Chaos at Arrowhead: The nightcap on Prime Video features a massive storyline: The Kansas City Chiefs are without Patrick Mahomes (injury), starting third stringer Chris Oladokun. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos (12-3) are fighting to maintain their high AFC seeding and break a decade long losing streak at Arrowhead.
- The Lions’ Longshot: Detroit is the only team today playing with a mathematical (though slim) pulse for the postseason. They need to win out and get significant help from the Ravens and Packers.
- The NFC East Grudge Match: Despite both the Cowboys and Commanders being eliminated from playoff contention, this 1:00 PM window remains a high intent search because of the rivalry’s history and the debut of Josh Johnson under center for Washington.
Why There is No Monday Night Football Next Week
As fans plan their schedules for the final stretch, a common question is: Is there Monday Night Football on January 5?
The answer is no. The NFL does not schedule a Monday night game for Week 18 (the final week of the regular season). All games will be played on Saturday, Jan 3 and Sunday, Jan 4, 2026.
This is a deliberate move by the league to ensure Competitive Equity. By ending the season on Sunday night, the NFL ensures that no playoff bound team has to play their Wild Card round game on a short week. It also allows the league to flex games with similar playoff implications into the same time slots, preventing teams from resting starters based on early results.
Expert Insight: The Streaming “Stress Test”
For many viewers, the biggest hurdle for nfl games today on tv is bandwidth. This is the first time the NFL has placed two consecutive games on a global streamer like Netflix. Expect high social media chatter regarding stream quality and lag a true stress test for the future of sports broadcasting. If you are away from home, any nfl games today can also be accessed via the NFL+ mobile app, though local blackout rules for non participating markets may still apply to the Netflix windows
FAQ
What channel are the NFL games on Christmas Day?
For today, Thursday, December 25, 2025, the games have moved almost entirely to streaming platforms:
Netflix: Streams the first two games (Cowboys vs. Commanders at 1:00 PM ET and Lions vs. Vikings at 4:30 PM ET).
Amazon Prime Video: Streams the night game (Broncos vs. Chiefs at 8:15 PM ET).
Are there any NFL games on TV tonight?
Yes. There is a full tripleheader for Christmas Day. The final game of the night is the Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs, kicking off at 8:15 PM ET on Prime Video.
Is there football Christmas Eve?
No. There were no NFL games played yesterday, Wednesday, December 24, 2025. The league typically avoids Wednesday games unless they fall on Christmas Day itself.
Is there Monday Night Football on Jan 6?
No. The final week of the regular season (Week 18) concludes on Sunday, January 4, 2026. The NFL does not schedule a Monday Night Football game for the final week of the season to ensure no playoff bound team has to play on a short week before the Wild Card round begins on January 10.
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