The original Christmas schedule featured some high-profile NFL rivalries. Now, however, backup quarterbacks take center stage on two of the top streaming platforms.
Videos by FanBuzz
The Dec. 25 schedule features three games — two on Netflix and one on Prime Video. All three are division rivalry games, but none will feature teams at full strength. In fact, a chance remains that all three games will have third-string quarterbacks.
Photo credit: NFL
Game 1: Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders (1 p.m. ET on Netflix)
The Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders will kick off the schedule as they face off in a battle of teams eliminated from playoff contention. The 6-8-1 Cowboys have their top players available, but the same is not true for the 4-11 Commanders.
Washington shut down Jayden Daniels with three games remaining in the season to avoid the risk of further injury. Backup Marcus Mariota then injured his hand during last weekend's loss to the rival Eagles. Now, former fifth-round pick Josh Johnson is in line to get his first start since the 2021 season.
The Commanders have not officially named Johnson the starter, but the 18-year veteran continues to get the "lion's share" of reps during practice.
"I'm embracing it with gratitude and just trying to be a light for this team and show them that I'm gonna be on my job to do what I gotta do to give us a chance," Johnson said, per the team website.
Game 2: Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings (4:30 p.m. ET on Netflix)
The Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings continue the Christmas day schedule on Netflix. This game features one team eliminated from playoff contention (Vikings) and one whose playoff hopes are on life support (Lions).
The 8-7 Lions still have a chance to make the playoffs after a stunning loss to the Steelers last weekend, but the team needs to win out and get some help. The NFC North team will receive some assistance as it takes on a 7-8 Vikings team with a third-string quarterback leading the way.
Starter JJ McCarthy suffered a hairline fracture in his hand last weekend against the Giants, so he will be out of action on Christmas. This will mark the third time that McCarthy has missed time due to an injury this season.
Backup Carson Wentz is on Injured Reserve, so Max Brosmer will make his second start of the season. Brosmer had a four-interception game against the Seahawks to close out November, but he completed 77.8% of his nine passes last weekend while filling in for the injured McCarthy. Now, he will be under the spotlight on Netflix.
Game 3: Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs (8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video)
The final game of Christmas takes place on Prime Video. The Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs will face off at Arrowhead Stadium. When the NFL released the 2025 schedule, this became a game that many fans circled. After all, they had a chance to watch a perennial Super Bowl contender face off with a franchise making its way back to the Promised Land.
Many months later, the situation has drastically changed. The 12-3 Broncos have a secure spot in the playoffs and a chance to secure the AFC's No. 1 seed while the 6-9 Chiefs have nothing to play for.
The Broncos will face off with a third-string quarterback after the Chiefs lost both Patrick Mahomes and backup Gardner Minshew to knee injuries. Chris Oladokun will make his first career start while facing off with a defense that ranks fourth overall in the NFL.
