2022 NFL Christmas Day games: Schedule, previews & players to watch
NFL Christmas games 2022 consist of three matchups for the first time ever, compared to previous seasons where there were just two games. The NBA was once known for having Christmas games, but the NFL is now vying for a piece of the pie on this day. After all, the Packers-Browns Christmas Day game in 2021 was successful and averaged 28.6 million viewers on Fox.
NFL Christmas games 2022
The NFL has released their schedule early in the season for which teams are going to play on NFL Christmas Day. The Green Bay Packers visit the Miami Dolphins, the Denver Broncos visit the Los Angeles Rams, and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers visit the Arizona Cardinals.
Some of the best regular season games in NFL history were played during Christmas. For instance, the Ravens vs Steelers in 2016 is one of the best Christmas day games ever. It was a back and forth game in the fourth quarter where both teams traded touchdown after touchdown. In the end, Antonio Brown scored the game-winning touchdown with 10 seconds left. Chris Boswell scored an extra point and stretched the lead to 31.
Having an additional game on Christmas is a win for football fans since they can celebrate their holiday watching football with their families. Let’s take a look at the three NFL Christmas games 2022.
Packers vs Dolphins
The Packers will have another game on NFL Christmas Day for a second straight year. Last year, the Packers defeated the Browns in a tight matchup, 24–22.
Green Bay still has its reigning MVP in Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers has a 2–0 record in Christmas games, where he has gathered a total of eight touchdowns — five against the Bears in 2011 and three against the Browns in 2021. We could see his numbers dip this Christmas as he’s now playing without his superstar receiver Davante Adams, who signed with the Raiders last summer. Still, Rodgers has Christian Watson, who has gathered a total of seven touchdowns in the past four games.
Rodgers will now face a blazing Dolphins squad led by Tua Tagovailoa. With Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle as the main engines for Miami’s offense, it could be a high-scoring affair between two marquee teams.
Broncos vs Rams
The Rams will have their first ever NFL Christmas Day game in franchise history. The defending champions are looking like a mess right now and are 4–9 in the NFC West. Cooper Kupp and Matthew Stafford were both placed on injured reserve, while Aaron Donald‘s status is still up in the air for Christmas with an ankle injury. Los Angeles’ outlook for the 2022 NFL Christmas games is bleak.
Meanwhile, the Broncos are also struggling this season. Expectations were high when the Broncos signed Russell Wilson to a 5-year, $245 million deal. However, that move didn’t pan out, as Denver is only 3–10 in the AFC West. Patrick Surtain, one of the best cornerbacks in the league, is the lone bright spot in their roster.
With both teams struggling with their offenses and missing some key personnel, it could be a matchup where they just settle for field goals.
Buccaneers vs Cardinals
Kyler Murray and the Cardinals will be in the NFL Christmas games again for a second straight year. In their Christmas Day matchup last year against the Colts, Murray only clocked 245 yards and one touchdown. He’ll look to bounce back this year against Tom Brady and the Bucs. DeAndre Hopkins and Marquise Brown will be the centers of Arizona’s air raid offense.
Meanwhile, Tom Brady will have his first ever Christmas game in his entire career in the NFL. Chris Godwin, Mike Evans, Leonard Fournette, and Rachaad White will be his main weapons against the Cardinals.
Expect a high-scoring battle.
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