Key Takeaways from the NFL's 2025 Christmas Tripleheader

The NFL has firmly established Christmas as a major football holiday, and the 2025 tripleheader continued the tradition with three games that were all within one possession in the fourth quarter. While the overall quality of play may not have been the league's finest showcase, the day delivered significant drama and, more importantly, clear takeaways for the franchises involved. With only one of the six teams that played projected to reach the postseason, the outcomes served as a pivotal checkpoint for teams assessing their present and future.

Dallas Cowboys: A Potent Offense Masks Defensive Questions

The Cowboys' victory over the Washington Commanders was a microcosm of their season. The offense, led by quarterback Dak Prescott, showcased its high ceiling once again. Prescott surpassed 300 passing yards for the sixth time this season, powering the unit to its seventh 30-plus point performance. This offensive firepower has been a consistent bright spot.

However, the narrow margin of victory against a Washington team led by its third-string quarterback highlighted the persistent issues on the other side of the ball. The Cowboys' defense has been a well-documented weakness throughout 2025. Despite showing some improvement following key trade-deadline acquisitions—including the costly addition of defensive tackle Quinnen Williams—the unit still has a long way to go to match the offense's production. The offseason focus must be squarely on building a cohesive and reliable defense around its new cornerstone players to become a complete contender.

Detroit Lions: A Season of Missed Opportunity

For the Detroit Lions, the Christmas Day loss to the Minnesota Vikings was a fatal blow, officially eliminating them from playoff contention. This marks a stark reversal after clinching postseason berths in the two previous seasons. The 2025 campaign was always going to be challenging following significant coaching staff turnover, with offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn departing for head coaching jobs.

The Lions started strong at 6-3 but collapsed down the stretch, losing five of their final seven games. The defense, in particular, faltered dramatically, allowing 29 or more points in four consecutive games prior to Christmas. While turnovers were also a critical problem in the finale, the defensive struggles were the primary catalyst for the late-season fade. The loss raises questions about whether the team's window for a deep playoff run, open the past two years, has now closed.

Denver Broncos: Can an Elite Defense Carry a Limited Offense?

The nightcap featured the Denver Broncos' narrow victory over the Kansas City Chiefs, a win powered almost exclusively by a dominant defensive performance. The Broncos' defense held the Chiefs, albeit with a third-string quarterback, to under 100 total yards of offense, applying relentless pressure all game. This unit has proven itself to be among the NFL's best.

The larger question for Denver's championship aspirations revolves around the offense led by quarterback Bo Nix. His performance on Christmas—182 yards on 38 attempts, averaging just 4.7 yards per attempt with a touchdown and an interception—was emblematic of his inconsistency. While capable of efficient games, Nix has also had outings where the offense completely stalls. The Broncos' formula is clear: a suffocating defense paired with an offense that must avoid catastrophic mistakes. Whether that combination is enough to win a Lombardi Trophy remains the franchise's defining puzzle.

In summary, the 2025 Christmas games provided more than just holiday entertainment; they offered a clear lens into the trajectories of several NFL franchises. For Dallas, the path forward is defensive investment. For Detroit, it's a period of reflection after a promising window may have shut. And for Denver, the quest is to find just enough offensive consistency to complement a championship-caliber defense. The results of these offseason endeavors will determine if these teams are celebrating when the holidays roll around next year.