The NFL turned Christmas Day into a playoff-like spectacle once again with the release of the 2026 schedule, featuring three major holiday matchups involving the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers, Buffalo Bills, Denver Broncos, Seattle Seahawks, and Los Angeles Rams.
Netflix and FOX Split Christmas Games
Netflix secured two of the three Christmas contests, while FOX will broadcast the final matchup later that night. Each game carries fresh playoff history, divisional tension, or a revenge storyline.
Packers at Bears: Rivalry Renewed
The Christmas schedule opens with one of the NFL's oldest rivalries as the Green Bay Packers travel to Chicago to face the Bears at 1 p.m. ET on Netflix. This matchup gained extra significance after Chicago eliminated Green Bay in the wild-card round at Soldier Field last season. That playoff loss has shifted the rivalry's tone heading into 2026, with both teams expected to contend for NFC playoff spots.
Bills at Broncos: Revenge Rematch
The second Netflix game features Buffalo visiting Denver at 4:30 p.m. ET, a rematch of last season's AFC divisional-round thriller. The Denver Broncos won 33-30 in overtime, but the finish sparked heavy debate after officials ruled a late Brandin Cooks reception an interception following review. Bills fans spent months arguing about the decision, adding even more intensity to the rematch.
Rams at Seahawks: NFC West Showdown
The final Christmas game sends the Los Angeles Rams to Seattle for an NFC West showdown at 8:15 p.m. ET on FOX. The Seahawks beat Los Angeles in last season's NFC Championship Game before winning Super Bowl 60, giving Sean McVay's team a major revenge opportunity later this season.
Netflix Expands Role Beyond Christmas
The NFL also expanded Netflix's role beyond the holiday. The streaming platform will air the Week 1 opener in Australia between the Rams and the San Francisco 49ers, the first-ever Thanksgiving Eve game between the Los Angeles Rams and the Green Bay Packers in Week 12, and one additional Week 18 matchup announced later in the season.
Christmas Becomes a Prime NFL Window
A few years ago, the NFL treated Christmas as an occasional showcase. That approach changed quickly once holiday ratings exploded. Looking at the 2026 NFL schedule, the league now sees Christmas Day as another prime window for rivalry games, playoff rematches, and national spotlight moments.
