NFL games on Christmas don’t happen every year. The first game on Christmas was in 1971 when the Dallas Cowboys faced off against the Minnesota Vikings and won 20-12. Since then there have been only 20 games played on Christmas Day. Here are some of the more notable Christmas Day games.
“Not many games are played on Christmas each year but when they are, I am definitely surrounded by family watching the games,” said Joey Greene, a football fan.
The first game was when the Philadelphia Eagles played the Dallas Cowboys in 2006. The Eagles and the Cowboys are a top rivalry in football. The Eagles were able to beat the Cowboys 23-7 and after the game, as Jeff Garcia was running off the field, he stuck his tongue out at all the Cowboys fans in the stands. This game helped the Eagles get into the playoffs.
The second game was a matchup of the Kansas City Chiefs versus the Denver Broncos in 2016. This game was a divisional battle, meaning that there is a little rivalry here too. The Chiefs dominated that game, beating the Broncos 33-10. The tight end for the Chiefs, Travis Kelce, had a record-breaking performance with 11 receptions, 160 receiving yards, and one receiving touchdown.
The third game was the Los Angeles Chargers versus the Tennessee Titans in 2009. This matchup ended up being a battle of the running backs. In 2009, the Chargers were still in San Diego. The Chargers running back LaDainian Tomlinson had 61 scrimmage yards and two touchdowns, and their other running back Darren Sproles had three touchdowns (two rushings and one receiving). The Titans running back Chris Johnson had 142 rushing yards and one touchdown. In the end, the Chargers won the game 42-17.
The fourth game was between the Minnesota Vikings and the Cincinnati Bengals in 1989. In this game, there were two Christmas Day records set. The Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason threw for 367 passing yards and the Vikings defensive end Chris Doleman had four sacks. The Vikings pulled off the victory with a score of 29-21.
The fifth game was a battle between the Green Bay Packers and the Chicago Bears in 2011. This is another game between two divisional teams. Aaron Rodgers of the Packers set a record for most touchdown passes on Christmas Day, with a total of five. With that record, the Packers won the game 35-21.
This year there happens to be two NFL games on Christmas. The first game is the Cleveland Browns versus the Green Bay Packers at 4:30 p.m. and the late game is the Indianapolis Colts versus the Arizona Cardinals at 8:15 p.m.
Nick Thomas
Intern