Unwrapping What NFL Teams Play on Christmas Day: 2021 Guide

Christmas Day in the NFL is always an exciting time for football fans, and in 2022, there are three marquee games scheduled for this special day. These games will feature four playoff teams from the 2021 season, including the past two Super Bowl champions, and will showcase some intriguing quarterback matchups. Let’s dive into the details of these festive matchups and how you can catch all the action.

Key Takeaways:

  • Three marquee NFL games will be played on Christmas Day 2022, making it the first Christmas tripleheader in league history.
  • The matchups include the Green Bay Packers vs. Miami Dolphins, Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Rams, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals.
  • The games will take place on Sunday, December 25, 2022, during Week 16 of the NFL season.
  • You can watch the games on various TV networks: Green Bay Packers-Miami Dolphins on FOX, Denver Broncos-Los Angeles Rams on CBS/Nickelodeon, and Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Arizona Cardinals on NBC.
  • There have been 24 Christmas Day games in NFL history, including both regular season and playoff matchups.
  • Last year, the Green Bay Packers defeated the Cleveland Browns and the Indianapolis Colts defeated the Arizona Cardinals on Christmas Day.

NFL Teams Playing on Christmas Day

The three games scheduled for Christmas Day will feature exciting matchups between the Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins, the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals. Let’s take a closer look at these games and the key details:

Green Bay Packers vs. Miami Dolphins

Where: Hard Rock Stadium | Miami Gardens, Fla.

When: 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 25

How to watch: FOX

The Green Bay Packers, led by the two-time reigning AP NFL Most Valuable Player Aaron Rodgers, will take on the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium. Rodgers has an impressive record on Christmas, with a 2-0 record and eight combined touchdowns in previous Dec. 25 games. This matchup will also feature an exciting quarterback duel between Rodgers and the Dolphins’ Tua Tagovailoa. With standout players like Jaylen Waddle, Tyreek Hill, Mike Gesicki, and Chase Edmonds, this game promises to be a high-scoring affair.

Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Rams

Where: SoFi Stadium | Inglewood, Calif.

When: 4:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 25

How to watch: CBS, Nickelodeon

The Denver Broncos will face the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in the franchise’s first-ever Christmas Day game. Former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford, now leading the Rams, is no stranger to playing on holidays. The reigning Super Bowl champions are aiming for a repeat, while the Broncos, led by Russell Wilson, have high expectations for the season. Wilson and Rams linebacker Bobby Wagner, former teammates with the Seahawks, will face each other for the first time since their Super Bowl-winning season together.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals

Where: State Farm Stadium | Glendale, Ariz.

When: 8:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, Dec. 25

How to watch: NBC

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers, led by the legendary Tom Brady, will take on the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium. Brady, a seven-time Super Bowl champion, will play in his first-ever Christmas Day game. He will face off against the Cardinals’ young star quarterback, Kyler Murray. Both teams boast a talented group of wide receivers, including the Buccaneers’ Mike Evans and Chris Godwin, and the Cardinals’ Marquise Brown and DeAndre Hopkins. This matchup promises to deliver an exciting clash of veteran leadership and youthful talent.

Summary

Christmas Day in the NFL will feature three thrilling games between the Green Bay Packers and Miami Dolphins, the Denver Broncos and Los Angeles Rams, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Arizona Cardinals. These matchups offer exciting quarterback duels, explosive offenses, and fierce competition. Football fans won’t want to miss these festive battles on the gridiron.

Game Teams Stadium Kickoff Time TV Network
Game 1 Green Bay Packers vs. Miami Dolphins Hard Rock Stadium 1 p.m. ET FOX
Game 2 Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Rams SoFi Stadium 4:30 p.m. ET CBS, Nickelodeon
Game 3 Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals State Farm Stadium 8:20 p.m. ET NBC

Game Schedule and How to Watch

The games on Christmas Day will be played on Sunday, December 25, 2022, which falls on Week 16 of the NFL season. Football fans can look forward to a thrilling tripleheader featuring some of the league’s most exciting teams.

Here is the schedule for the Christmas Day NFL games:

  1. Green Bay Packers vs. Miami Dolphins: 1 p.m. ET
  2. Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Rams: 4:30 p.m. ET
  3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals: 8:20 p.m. ET

To catch all the action, here’s how you can watch the games:

  1. Green Bay Packers vs. Miami Dolphins: Tune in to FOX at 1 p.m. ET.
  2. Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Rams: You can catch this game on CBS or Nickelodeon at 4:30 p.m. ET.
  3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals: NBC will broadcast this game at 8:20 p.m. ET.

These matchups promise to deliver excitement and memorable moments. Whether you’re a fan of the Packers, Dolphins, Broncos, Rams, Buccaneers, or Cardinals, these games are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Now, let’s take a closer look at each game and the key players to watch:

Green Bay Packers vs. Miami Dolphins

The Green Bay Packers will be facing the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. ET, and the game will be broadcast on FOX. This matchup will feature two talented quarterbacks in Aaron Rodgers and Tua Tagovailoa. Rodgers has an impressive track record on Christmas Day, and with the offensive firepower on both teams, fans can expect a high-scoring affair.

Denver Broncos vs. Los Angeles Rams

The Denver Broncos will take on the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET and will be aired on CBS and Nickelodeon. This game marks the first Christmas contest for the Rams as they aim to defend their Super Bowl title. The Broncos, led by Russell Wilson, have high expectations for the season and will look to make a statement against the reigning champions.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Arizona Cardinals

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers will be up against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Kickoff is set for 8:20 p.m. ET, and the game will be televised on NBC. Tom Brady and Kyler Murray will be the quarterbacks to watch in this matchup. As two of the league’s premier quarterbacks, their clash on Christmas Day is sure to be a spectacle. Additionally, the game will showcase a talented group of wide receivers, including Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, Marquise Brown, and DeAndre Hopkins.

These Christmas Day NFL games are not to be missed. Settle in with your favorite holiday snacks and enjoy a day filled with football excitement. It’s a perfect way to celebrate the holiday season while cheering on your favorite teams.

History of NFL Games on Christmas

Christmas has long been a part of the NFL schedule, with games played on this festive day for many years. The tradition of football on Christmas dates back to 1971 when the NFL hosted two Divisional Playoff games. The league took a 17-year hiatus from scheduling games on Christmas due to concerns about the holiday’s religious significance but resumed the tradition in 1989. Since then, one or two games have been played on Christmas Day when it falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or Monday.

The Dallas Cowboys hold the record for the most games played on Christmas Day, with a total of five appearances. They have a 2-3 record in these games. The Tennessee Titans and Minnesota Vikings follow closely behind, each playing four games on Christmas. However, neither team has a winning record on the holiday, with the Titans at 2-2 and the Vikings at 1-3.

One of the most memorable Christmas Day games in recent history took place in 2020 when the New Orleans Saints faced the Minnesota Vikings. The Saints dominated the game, scoring a total of 52 points and securing a 19-point victory. The standout performance came from Saints running back Alvin Kamara, who rushed for 155 yards and an incredible six touchdowns. This impressive individual effort set a new Christmas Day record and highlighted the excitement that these holiday games bring to both players and fans.

Team Number of Games Played on Christmas Record on Christmas Day
Dallas Cowboys 5 2-3
Tennessee Titans 4 2-2
Minnesota Vikings 4 1-3

As the 2022 NFL season approaches, fans can look forward to a historic event on Christmas Day: the first-ever Christmas tripleheader. Three marquee games will be played, featuring playoff teams from the previous season and exciting quarterback matchups. The Green Bay Packers will face the Miami Dolphins, the Denver Broncos will take on the Los Angeles Rams, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers will clash with the Arizona Cardinals. These games will undoubtedly add to the rich history of NFL games on Christmas and create lasting memories for players and fans alike.

Conclusion

Christmas Day in the NFL is a time when families come together to enjoy football and celebrate the holiday spirit, and this year’s lineup of games promises to be a memorable one. The 2022 Christmas tripleheader will feature three marquee matchups, showcasing four playoff teams from the previous season and past Super Bowl champions. Quarterback matchups, including Aaron Rodgers versus Tua Tagovailoa, Russell Wilson against Matthew Stafford, and Tom Brady taking on Kyler Murray, add an extra level of excitement to these games.

The first game of the day will see the Green Bay Packers facing off against the Miami Dolphins at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. Aaron Rodgers has impressive stats on Christmas, and this game could be a high-scoring affair with the Dolphins’ star-studded offense.

Next, the Denver Broncos will take on the Los Angeles Rams at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. Former Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford will lead the Rams in their first Christmas game, while the Broncos, led by Russell Wilson, have high expectations for the season.

The final game of the tripleheader will feature the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Arizona Cardinals at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona. Tom Brady, in his first Christmas game, will lead the Buccaneers against Kyler Murray and the Cardinals. The matchup between these star quarterbacks and their talented receivers will be a must-watch.

To watch these exciting Christmas Day games, tune in to FOX for the Packers-Dolphins game at 1 p.m. ET, CBS/Nickelodeon for the Broncos-Rams game at 4:30 p.m. ET, and NBC for the Buccaneers-Cardinals game at 8:20 p.m. ET.

The NFL’s history on Christmas Day dates back to 1971, and this year’s games will mark the first Christmas tripleheader in league history. The Dallas Cowboys hold the record for the most games played on Christmas Day with five, and the tradition of playing on this holiday has provided fans with memorable moments over the years.

So gather your family and friends, grab some festive snacks, and enjoy the Christmas Day NFL games in 2022. It’s a special day that combines the joy of the holiday season with the excitement of football, making it a truly magical experience for fans across the country.

FAQ

Q: Which NFL teams are playing on Christmas?

A: The Green Bay Packers will play against the Miami Dolphins, the Denver Broncos against the Los Angeles Rams, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers against the Arizona Cardinals.

Q: When are the NFL games on Christmas?

A: The games will be played on Sunday, Dec. 25, which is Week 16 of the 2022 NFL season.

Q: How can I watch the NFL’s Christmas tripleheader?

A: The Green Bay Packers-Miami Dolphins game will be on FOX (1 p.m. ET), the Denver Broncos-Los Angeles Rams game will be on CBS/Nickelodeon (4:30 p.m. ET), and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers-Arizona Cardinals game will be on NBC (8:20 p.m. ET).

Q: What is the history of the NFL on Christmas?

A: The NFL has a history of playing games on Christmas, with the first game taking place in 1971. The Dallas Cowboys have played the most games on Christmas, and there have been a total of 24 games played on that date.

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