The holiday Christmas Day Gridiron season always brings joy, family, and now, a hefty dose of NFL action. On December 25, 2024, football fans across the globe unwrapped a special gift: two thrilling NFL games streaming live on Netflix. This marked a historic moment as the league partnered with the streaming giant for the first time, delivering high-stakes matchups right to your living room. Whether you cheered for the Kansas City Chiefs or rooted for the Baltimore Ravens, Christmas Day 2024 offered unforgettable moments. Let’s dive into everything you need to know about these games, from the teams and scores to the standout performances and what this means for the future of NFL broadcasts.
A New Tradition Kicks Off on Christmas Day
Christmas Day usually means cozy gatherings, gift exchanges, and maybe a little too much eggnog. However, in 2024, the NFL decided to shake things up by scheduling two regular-season games on a Wednesday—something rare for the league. Typically, the NFL sticks to Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays, with occasional Saturday games late in the season. Yet, the success of past holiday games, like the 2023 Christmas tripleheader, convinced the league to experiment further. Fans clearly love football with their festivities, and the NFL listens.
This year, the league teamed up with Netflix for a groundbreaking broadcast. The decision paid off big time, drawing nearly 65 million viewers across the two games in the U.S. alone. Imagine this: families gathered around the TV, kids clutching new jerseys from Santa, and adults debating plays over holiday leftovers. The Chiefs faced the Pittsburgh Steelers in the early game, while the Baltimore Ravens took on the Houston Texans later in the afternoon. Both matchups delivered excitement, drama, and a sprinkle of holiday magic.
Game 1: Chiefs vs. Steelers – A Dominant Display
The first game kicked off at 1:00 p.m. ET at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh. The Kansas City Chiefs, fresh off yet another Super Bowl win, arrived with a 14-1 record and a hunger to lock down the AFC’s top seed. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers, sitting at 10-5, aimed to solidify their playoff spot in a tough AFC North. Fans expected a close battle, given Pittsburgh’s gritty defense and Kansas City’s explosive offense. Instead, the Chiefs turned the game into a one-sided holiday rout.
Patrick Mahomes led the charge, throwing for 260 yards and two touchdowns with surgical precision. Tight end Travis Kelce also made history, hauling in a touchdown catch that broke the Chiefs’ all-time record for most TD receptions. The Steelers struggled to find their rhythm, with quarterback Russell Wilson managing only 165 yards and an interception. By the final whistle, Kansas City cruised to a 29-10 victory, improving to 15-1 and clinching the AFC’s No. 1 seed. Pittsburgh dropped to 10-6 but still held a playoff berth—though their fans left the stadium less than merry.
The game set the tone for the day, blending holiday cheer with gridiron dominance. Before kickoff, Voices of Service, a quartet of retired military veterans, belted out a stirring national anthem. Then, Mariah Carey’s pre-recorded performance of “All I Want for Christmas Is You” got everyone in the spirit. Netflix even threw in a fun twist: Mahomes and Kelce received football-shaped cakes disguised as official NFL-Netflix balls. Spoiler alert—they smashed them gleefully post-game.
Game 2: Ravens vs. Texans – Beyoncé Steals the Show
The second game started at 4:30 p.m. ET at NRG Stadium in Houston, pitting the Baltimore Ravens (10-5) against the Houston Texans (9-6). This matchup carried extra weight as a rematch of the previous year’s playoff clash, where the Ravens crushed the Texans 34-10. Fans wondered if Houston could flip the script at home or if Baltimore’s Lamar Jackson would dominate again. Spoiler: Jackson and company brought their A-game, and then some.
Jackson dazzled with 225 passing yards, three touchdowns, and another score on the ground. The Ravens’ defense smothered Houston’s offense, holding quarterback C.J. Stroud to just 185 yards and forcing two turnovers. The Texans managed a measly two points—a safety—while Baltimore racked up 31. The final score of 31-2 sent the Ravens to 11-5, bolstering their playoff hopes, while the Texans fell to 9-7, still clinging to an AFC postseason spot. It was a lopsided affair, but the real fireworks came at halftime.
Beyoncé, a Houston native, took the stage for a jaw-dropping performance featuring hits from her “Cowboy Carter” album. Joined by stars like Post Malone, Shaboozey, and her daughter Blue Ivy as a dancer, she turned the break into a cultural event. The Texans Cheerleaders and nearly 200 members of Texas Southern University’s Ocean of Soul Marching Band added flair. Viewership spiked to 27 million during her set, proving Queen Bey’s power extends beyond music into football fandom. Before the game, Pentatonix delivered a stunning national anthem, setting a festive vibe.
Why Netflix? The NFL’s Bold Streaming Move
So, why did the NFL pick Netflix for these Christmas games? The answer blends money, innovation, and a shifting media landscape. Netflix shelled out $150 million for the rights to stream the 2024 games, part of a three-year deal that guarantees at least one holiday game in 2025 and 2026. The NFL sees streaming as the future, especially as fans ditch cable for platforms like Amazon Prime and Peacock. Thursday Night Football already thrives on Prime, and now Netflix joins the party.
The gamble paid off. The Chiefs-Steelers game averaged 24.1 million U.S. viewers, while Ravens-Texans drew 24.3 million—numbers rivaling traditional broadcast networks. Globally, fans in over 218 countries tuned in, showcasing the NFL’s growing international reach. However, not everyone cheered. Some fans griped about needing a Netflix subscription, especially those in rural areas with spotty internet. Bars and restaurants faced hurdles too, as DirecTV skipped the games, forcing venues to use EverPass or stream directly. Still, Netflix avoided major technical glitches, unlike its rocky Jake Paul-Mike Tyson fight broadcast earlier in 2024.
The NFL loves holiday games because they bring people together. Thanksgiving football reigns supreme, but Christmas matchups gain traction. Last year’s tripleheader on December 25, 2023, drew 85.3 million viewers across three games. The 2024 Wednesday experiment tested that appeal midweek, and the ratings suggest fans embraced it. Expect more holiday football in the future as the league chases both tradition and profit.
Standout Stars and Holiday Highlights
The games showcased some of the NFL’s brightest talents. Patrick Mahomes proved why he’s a perennial MVP candidate, dissecting Pittsburgh’s vaunted defense with ease. Travis Kelce’s record-breaking touchdown added a cherry on top, delighting Chiefs fans and maybe even Taylor Swift, who likely watched from afar. For the Ravens, Lamar Jackson reinforced his dual-threat brilliance, leaving Texans defenders grasping at air. His four-touchdown day reminded everyone why Baltimore remains a contender.
Off the field, the entertainment elevated the experience. Mariah Carey’s iconic song welcomed the Chiefs-Steelers clash, while Beyoncé’s halftime extravaganza stole the spotlight in Houston. These moments blended pop culture with pigskin, appealing to casual viewers and diehards alike. Netflix leaned into the holiday theme too, with festive graphics and pre-game shows starting at 11 a.m. ET. The production, handled by CBS Sports for the games and NFL Network for wraparound coverage, ran smoothly, easing fears of buffering woes.
Injuries cast a small shadow. Mahomes nursed a lingering ankle issue but played through it, while Steelers defenders battled fatigue on a short week. The NFL scheduled Christmas Day Gridiron both teams to play the prior Saturday, December 21, giving them three days’ rest—standard for Thursday games. Commissioner Roger Goodell shrugged off health concerns, noting no spike in injuries during midweek contests. Players gritted their teeth and delivered, proving football’s toughness shines even on Christmas.
FAQs:
1. Which teams played in the 2024 Christmas NFL games, and who won?
Marina The Kansas City Chiefs Christmas Day Gridiron battled the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first game at 1:00 p.m. ET, winning convincingly with a score of 29-10. Later, at 4:30 p.m. ET, the Baltimore Ravens faced the Houston Texans and dominated with a 31-2 victory. Both games happened on Christmas Day Gridiron December 25, 2024, and showcased top AFC teams fighting for playoff positioning.
2. Why did the NFL choose Netflix to stream the Christmas games?
UEFA The NFL partnered with Netflix in a $150 million, three-year deal to stream the 2024 games and at least one holiday game in Christmas Day Gridiron 2025 and 2026. They aimed to tap into streaming’s growing popularity, reach global fans, and cash in on Netflix’s massive subscriber base. The move reflects the league’s shift toward digital platforms as traditional TV viewership declines.
3. How many people watched the 2024 Christmas NFL games?
Nebraska The Chiefs-Steelers game averaged 24.1 million U.S. viewers, while Ravens-Texans drew 24.3 million, per Netflix’s data. Christmas Day Gridiron Globally, nearly Christmas Day Gridiron 65 million tuned in across 218 countries, making them the most-streamed NFL games ever in the U.S. Beyoncé’s halftime show boosted the second game’s peak to 27 million viewers.
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