NFL Christmas Games 2024: Schedule, Watch on Netflix, Mahomes Upset the Chiefs Are Playing

Just because Christmas Day is on a Wednesday this year doesn’t mean the NFL isn’t going to find a way to grab the spotlight.

The tradition of the NFL playing games on Christmas will continue in 2024. In fact, this has a chance to be one of the most memorable Christmas Days the NFL has had in a long time.

On top of the games scheduled for Christmas, there is a lot going on beyond the matchups on the field that will make Christmas special for the NFL and football fans.

Two NFL Games on Christmas

The NFL has given fans a triple-header on Christmas Day each of the past two seasons. Of course, Christmas was on a Sunday and Monday those years - traditional game days for the NFL. With Christmas falling on a Wednesday this year, the NFL had to get a little creative and was only able to deliver a double-header.

Nevertheless, fans can’t argue too much, as the double-header will feature four of the top teams in the AFC standings. In the first game, the Kansas City Chiefs visit the Pittsburgh Steelers. In the second game, the Baltimore Ravens visit the Houston Texans. Both games could be considered potential playoff previews. 

How Did the NFL Schedule Two Games on a Wednesday? 

This is the operative question. The NFL scheduled the Chiefs, Steelers, Ravens, and Texans to all play their Week 17 game on Saturday instead of Sunday. This allowed the four teams to have the same amount of rest between games as they would if they played on Sunday and then Thursday the following week. That creative scheduling allowed the NFL to put two games on the Christmas Day schedule.

Beyonce Halftime Performance

It doesn’t have to be the Super Bowl for the NFL to get a major recording artist to perform at halftime. Last month, Shaboozey performed during halftime of the first of three Thanksgiving Day games.

On Christmas, the NFL took things a step further by booking Beyonce. The Queen Bey will perform in her hometown of Houston during halftime of the Ravens-Texans game. The NFL is extending halftime to give Beyonce plenty of time to perform. There are rumors that she will be joined by special guests during the performance.

This will also mark the first time that Beyonce gives a live performance of the songs on her newest album Cowboy Carter.

Mariah Carey Will Be the Opening Act

In addition to Beyonce performing at halftime of the second game, Mariah Carey will be part of the NFL’s Christmas festivities. Prior to the start of the first game, there will be a taped performance of Carey singing “All I Want for Christmas Is You” to add to the holiday spirit. 

Christmas Games Live Streaming on Netflix

Fans who want to watch the NFL double-header on Christmas can find the games streaming exclusively on Netflix. After broadcasting the Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson fight last month, Netflix will continue to add live sports to its resume by broadcasting the two NFL games on Christmas. 

Patrick Mahomes Upset About Christmas Games

From a fan perspective, there is no reason to be upset about NFL games on Christmas Day. However, at least one of the players taking the field on Christmas feels differently. Patrick Mahomes has been outspoken in his criticism of the NFL scheduling games on Christmas, especially since it meant forcing the four teams in action to play on short rest in two consecutive weeks. As a result, the Chiefs, Ravens, Steelers, and Texans will all be playing three games in an 11-day span.

“It’s not a good feeling,” Mahomes said of the congested schedule. "You never want to play this amount of games in this short of time. It’s not great for your body. But, at the end of the day, it’s your job, your profession. You have to come to work and do it."

Of course, the situation received another twist in Week 14 when Mahomes suffered a high-ankle sprain in Kansas City’s win over the Browns. The Chiefs have described the injury as “mild,” putting Mahomes on course to play on Christmas. However, some have suggested that the Chiefs keep Mahomes on the sidelines for the last few weeks of the season to help him get healthy for the playoffs.

That has created some level of doubt over whether Mahomes will be on the field with his teammates when they play the Steelers on Christmas.

Special Uniforms on Christmas

The four teams playing on Christmas will be familiar to most fans, although the uniforms they wear might be a little less recognizable. Each team playing on Christmas will wear a special holiday-themed patch on their jersey. The patch is a graphic of two candy canes forming an X behind the NFL logo.

After Christmas, teams will continue to wear this special patch for the rest of Week 17 and for every Week 18 game.

NFL Christmas Will Be a Family Affair

Christmas is supposed to be a day spent with family and loved ones. The NFL is making sure this year’s Christmas double-header is indeed a family affair. This starts in the broadcast booth with longtime play-by-play man Ian Eagle calling the first game of the doubleheader and his son Noah Eagle calling the second game. It will be the first time a father-and-son broadcasting duo has called NFL games on the same network.

For the Chiefs-Steelers game, Ian Eagle will be joined by color commentators Nate Burleson and J.J. Watt. This means that Watt will be broadcasting a game involving his brother T.J., who plays for the Steelers. Meanwhile, twin brothers Jason and Devin McCourty - both former NFL players - will co-host a pre-game show along with Laura Rutledge in Pittsburgh prior to the first game of the NFL’s Christmas Day doubleheader.

Steelers vs. Chiefs How to Watch

• When: 1:00 PM, EST on Wednesday, December 25

• Where: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

• How to Watch: Netflix

Texans vs. Ravens How to Watch

• When: 4:30 PM, EST on Wednesday, December 25

• Where: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas

• How to Watch: Netflix

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