This holiday season, the NFL is breaking tradition and throwing a curveball into the mix. This year’s Christmas doubleheader featuring Patrick Mahomes, Russ Wilson, Lamar Jackson, and Stroud lands midweek, offering fans an unexpected holiday gift: football and festive cheer on Netflix. It’s the league’s major dive into live streaming, and the timing couldn’t be more strategic.

If you’re wondering, ‘Wait, NFL on a Wednesday?’ You’re not alone. NFL games on a Wednesday might feel like a glitch in the matrix, but it’s all about the timing. Historically, Wednesday games are a rarity, reserved for extraordinary circumstances. This Christmas, the NFL is changing the game—literally—partnering with Netflix to bring live holiday action straight to your screens.

A Christmas Wednesday and Netflix’s big NFL play

The NFL scheduling games on Christmas Day isn’t new, but doing so on a Wednesday is a bold twist. The holiday falls midweek in 2024, forcing the league to get creative. Teams playing in the Netflix doubleheader—Chiefs vs. Steelers and Texans vs. Ravens—had to adjust their schedules. By playing the prior Saturday, they met the NFL’s standard three-day turnaround, typically used for Thursday Night Football.

Netflix sweetened the deal with a $150 million, three-year contract, securing exclusive Christmas games through 2026. This marks the platform’s first foray into NFL live streaming, a significant step following their success with sports documentaries like Quarterback. The partnership offers global exposure, as Netflix reaches over 280 million subscribers in 190+ countries.

The spectacle isn’t just about football. Netflix is going all-in on entertainment, featuring pre-recorded performances by Mariah Carey and a halftime show by Beyoncé. With Mahomes’s Kansas City in the mix, fans even speculate a Taylor Swift cameo, adding another layer of buzz to the event. However, all is not merry with the decision.

The Chiefs are struggling with the demanding December schedule, especially having to play three games in just 11 days. Patrick Mahomes shared his frustration, saying, “You never want to play this many games in this short of time.” The Ravens, Steelers, and Texans are also feeling the strain of this grueling schedule. The Ravens, despite having a Week 14 bye, are coping with the quick turnaround between games. Steelers coach Mike Tomlin pointed out the challenge of adapting as his team faces tough opponents and a playoff race. Meanwhile, the Texans are dealing with the emotional impact of injuries like Tank Dell’s torn ACL.

However, this partnership signals a shift for both the NFL and Netflix. The league expands its reach, while Netflix enters the lucrative live sports arena. But this isn’t just about Christmas; it’s a test run for what could be the future of sports streaming.

Rare and remarkable: NFL’s Wednesday game history

The NFL doesn’t often venture into Wednesday territory, but it’s not uncharted ground. The last Wednesday game happened in December 2020, as the world was getting accustomed to the new normal. It was when COVID delays pushed a Ravens-Steelers matchup to midweek. Pittsburgh emerged victorious in a gritty, defensive battle, capped by a Joe Haden pick-six. Funny how both teams play this Wednesday as well. However, against different opponents this time. But did it ever happen before 2020?

In September 2012, the NFL moved its season opener midweek. This was to avoid clashing with Barack Obama’s Democratic National Convention speech. On that night, Tony Romo’s Cowboys upset the Giants in a thrilling 24-16 showdown. However, you’d have to go back to September 22, 1948, to trace back another Wednesday game.

It was a game where the Rams routed the Lions 44-7, featuring two touchdown passes from QB Jim Hardy and 2 rushing scores for Bob Hoffman. These instances highlight the league’s flexibility when it comes to scheduling curveballs. However, questions have also been raised on the merits of such scheduling.

Wednesday football remains an outlier, but it underscores how the NFL adapts to unique circumstances. With Christmas games now an annual tradition, fans might need to get used to occasional midweek action. As the NFL continues to dominate our screens, Wednesday’s Christmas showcase, featuring Patrick Mahomes and Russ Wilson, might just mark the beginning of a new tradition.