It's been more than 50 years since the NFL first played a game on Christmas. In 1971, theMinnesota VikingsandDallas Cowboysplayed in freezing temperatures during the NFC divisional playoffs in the league's first game on the holiday.
After a nearly 20-year hiatus, the NFL returned to Christmas in 1989 with the Vikings making an appearance once again, this time againstCincinnati. The league would sporadically play on the holiday through the 1990s and 2000s because the addition of the bye week in 1990 meant the holiday fell during the regular season.
That changed in 2020.
New Orleanshosted an NFC foe – unsurprisingly, Minnesota – again to start a new NFL tradition. Since that Friday game, the NFL's played at least two games every Christmas and continues that tradition this year.
This year's slate of games is three contests, up from two last season. Things get started in the NFC East with the Cowboys traveling on the road to take on theWashington Commanders. The Vikings make an appearance once again and will host divisional foeDetroitbefore theChiefsandBroncosface off in Kansas City.
There have been 32 games total played on Christmas in NFL history. Nearly half of them have come in the last decade. Here's a look at which teams have played the most on Christmas, which ones haven't ever and each team's record on Christmas:
What NFL team has played the most Christmas games?
The Kansas City Chiefs and Dallas Cowboys are tied for the most games on Christmas Day. Both teams have played five games on the holiday and will notch a sixth one this season.
Which NFL teams have never played on Christmas?
Seven NFL franchises are yet to play a game on Christmas but one will make its debut this year (Washington). That leaves these six teams remaining without a game on the holiday in their history:
NFL team records on Christmas
Arizona Cardinals: 1-3
Baltimore Ravens: 3-1
Chicago Bears: 1-1
Cincinnati Bengals: 0-1
Cleveland Browns: 0-1
Dallas Cowboys: 2-3
Denver Broncos: 2-2
Detroit Lions: 0-2
Green Bay Packers: 3-1
Houston Texans: 0-2
Indianapolis Colts: 1-0
Kansas City Chiefs: 3-2
Las Vegas Raiders: 1-2
Los Angeles Chargers: 1-0
Los Angeles Rams: 1-0
Miami Dolphins: 2-2
Minnesota Vikings: 1-3
New Orleans Saints: 1-0
New York Giants: 0-1
New York Jets: 1-0
Philadelphia Eagles: 3-0
Pittsburgh Steelers: 2-1
San Francisco 49ers: 0-2
Tampa Bay Buccaneers: 1-0
Tennessee Titans: 2-2
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:These NFL teams have played the most Christmas games in league history
