NFL 2025 Christmas Day Games, Picks, Props, Preview

Top 3 NFL Christmas Day Picks And Props

The NFL’s “Holly Jolly Christmas” for 2025 means three big football games on Christmas Day. Unfortunately, for the National Football League’s promotional money-making team, five of the six teams are out of the playoff picture. The three NFL 2025 Christmas Day division duels includes the nightcap as the Denver Broncos (12-3) lead Santa’s Sleigh into Kansas City (6-9), where the preseason AFC favorite Chiefs have been eliminated from postseason contention after winning 9-straight AFC West titles and representing the conference in last season’s Super Bowl. 

The Broncos are currently the No. 1 seed in the AFC with two games remaining against the Chiefs and next week’s season finale home game against division rival Los Angeles Chargers (11-4), who could still win the division and are one of five teams that could still secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed and first round playoff bye. 

The Detroit Lions (8-7) only hope to make the playoffs is to win at Minnesota (7-8) against the Vikings on NFL 2025 Christmas Day, win again at Chicago (11-4) against the first place Bears in Week 18, and have the Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) lose to both the Baltimore Ravens (7-8) this Saturday and lose again at Minnesota in Week 18 to conclude the regular season. Next Gen Stats gives the Lions a 6% chance to make the postseason and join the playoff party. 

Both the Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1) and Washington Commanders (4-11) have been eliminated from playoff contention, one season after the Commanders made it to the NFC Championship Game. But the Commanders still made us some cash in Week 16 with a totals tip winner in their 28-19 loss to the Eagles – part of our 4-1 over/under winners last Sunday. 

Christmas Day Matchups And Odds

Betting lines and NFL odds from BetOnline and top online sportsbooks refresh periodically and are subject to change, including on props and live/in-game betting. Point spread on favorites, and all times Eastern (ET) in the U.S. 

• Dallas (-7.5) at Washington, 50.5 | 1 pm | Netflix
• Detroit (-7.5) at Minnesota, 43 | 4:30 pm | Netflix
• Denver (-13.5) at Kansas City, 36.5 | 8:15 pm | Amazon Prime

A rare scenario to see not only three road favorites on Christmas Day, but big favorites laying more than a touchdown. Much of that is due to the quarterback situations and injuries affecting the three home teams. The betting public is backing the road favorites, as BetOnline reports early bet count on the Cowboys (68%), Lions (78%) and Broncos (58%) with much more spread, moneyline and totals betting on Christmas Eve and Day.   

• Quarterback Josh Johnson will start for the Commanders. The 39-year-old journeyman has played for 14 NFL teams, a league record. In Week 7 on Oct. 19, the Cowboys buried the Commanders 44-22 as a 1.5 point favorite. Last year’s Rookie of the Year, QB Jayden Daniels, suffered a hamstring injury in the third quarter. A re-occurring knee issue plus a dislocated elbow ended his season in November.  
• Rookie Max Brosmer will make his second start for the Vikings. In Week 9 on Nov. 2, the Vikings went into Detroit and beat the Lions 27-24 as a 9.5 point underdog with J.J. McCarthy the starting quarterback. 
• Chiefs QB Chris Oladokun will make his first NFL start against the Broncos on Christmas Day. He’s spent the last four seasons on the Chiefs practice squad. Patrick Mahomes suffered a torn ACL in Week 15, and backup Gardner Minshew suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Week 16 loss at Tennessee.   

Christmas Day Props

Additional NFL news, stats and betting info along with picks, parlays and props will drive more watch and wager action on NFL 2025 Christmas Day and through Week 17 and 18. That includes popular player and team props to consider below, and I provide top 3 Christmas Day picks and props at BetOnline. Check them out at BOL and I’ll add the additional picks and analysis at Vegas Sports Zone following the games.  

• 1. Cowboys QB Dak Prescott – Over 270.5 passing yards

Check out more ways to bet on the NFL, plus BetOnline’s best 2-team teaser odds (-120) with the latest NFL news and betting insight. More ways to watch and wager including picks, props, and parlays plus tips, totals, and teasers, which went a combined 6-1 in Week 16 on three key matchups between playoff contending teams.   

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