Once upon a time, NFL games on Christmas Day were strictly verboten. But in 1971, the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins played the longest and perhaps the greatest game ever. Miami won a double-overtime NFL odds thriller 27-24 as a captivated nation postponed Christmas Dinner. Although Christmas games remained rare, the blackout has been lifted recently. Week 16 figures to be a TV ratings bonanza, with multiple games scheduled each day throughout the Christmas holiday weekend. Amazon Prime starts the weekend with a Thursday night NFC Matchup of the New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams.
2023-24 NFL Super Bowl Championship Odds at SBG
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| Kansas City Chiefs | +600 |
| Philadelphia Eagles | +850 |
| San Francisco 49ers | +950 |
| Buffalo Bills | +900 |
| Cincinnati Bengals | +900 |
| New York Jets | +1400 |
| Dallas Cowboys | +1400 |
| Baltimore Ravens | +1800 |
| Detroit Lions | +2200 |
| Jacksonville Jaguars | +2500 |
| Los Angeles Chargers | +2500 |
| Miami Dolphins | +2500 |
| Cleveland Browns | +2800 |
| Denver Broncos | +3500 |
| New Orleans Saints | +3500 |
| Minnesota Vikings | +4000 |
| Green Bay Packers | +4000 |
| New York Giants | +4400 |
| Seattle Seahawks | +4500 |
| All Other Teams | +5500 or higher |
2023 NFL Week 16 Schedule
Thursday, Dec. 21
New Orleans Saints at Los Angeles Rams, 8:15 p.m., Prime Video
Saturday, Dec. 23
Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers, 4:30 p.m., NBC
Buffalo Bills at Los Angeles Chargers, 8 p.m., Peacock
Sunday, Dec. 24
Indianapolis Colts at Atlanta Falcons, 1 p.m., FOX
Green Bay Packers at Carolina Panthers, 1 p.m., FOX
Cleveland Browns at Houston Texans, 1 p.m., CBS
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings, 1 p.m., FOX
Washington Commanders at New York Jets, 1 p.m., CBS
Seattle Seahawks at Tennessee Titans, 1 p.m., CBS
Jacksonville Jaguars at Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 4:05 p.m., CBS
Arizona Cardinals at Chicago Bears, 4:25 p.m., FOX
Dallas Cowboys at Miami Dolphins, 4:25 p.m., FOX
New England Patriots at Denver Broncos, 8:15 p.m. NFLN
Monday, Dec. 25
Las Vegas Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs, 1 p.m., CBS
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles, 4:30 p.m., FOX
Baltimore Ravens at San Francisco 49ers, 8:15 p.m., ABC
Last year the Rams did not effectively handle their sportsbook status as defending Super Bowl champions. It was obvious that the Super Bowl championship went to their fat heads. The Rams were admiring their headlines, shooting countless TV endorsements, and growing old.
Saturday, December 23, features an outstanding NFL betting odds doubleheader of action that features four playoff contenders. Starting with the late afternoon with the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Cincinnati Bengals. Potentially, that matchup could be an epic AFC North Division showdown on NBC.
And then, in a rare Peacock game, the Los Angeles Chargers host the Buffalo Bills. If Los Angeles fails to make the 2023 NFL Playoffs, head coach Brandon Staley may be lucky to get a lump of coal for Christmas.
Christmas Eve falls on Sunday, December 24, and begins with what could be a showdown for the NFC North Division title. Specifically, the Detroit Lions and Minnesota Vikings will clash.
Also, Christmas Eve features a marquee brand matchup in the late afternoon window. The Miami Dolphins will host the Dallas Cowboys in a game that could have serious playoff implications.
In the late 60s and early 70s, the Kansas City Chiefs and Las Vegas Raiders played for the highest of stakes at a level of intensity and hatred. But a rivalry can only be real if both teams play for something big. These days, only the Chiefs fill that role.