2021 NFL schedule leak: Packers, Cardinals hosting Christmas Day games

The NFL Christmas lineup features the Packers and Cardinals hosting the Browns and Colts, respectively, as the NFL schedule returns to Christmas Day.

There are certain sports synonymous with holidays, like the NFL on Thanksgiving and the NBA on Christmas Day. The NFL has been trying to muscle in on some Christmas Day viewing if their calendar aligns and that will be the case again in 2021 as the league has scheduled two games for the holiday.

This will be the second straight year that the NFL scheduled a game on Dec. 25 after the New Orleans Saints blew out the Minnesota Vikings in 2020. Master Tes, who leaked the NFL’s Thanksgiving slate on Twitter, also had the scoop on the Christmas schedule.

Packers, Cardinals hosting games on Christmas

Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers

This matchup was an interesting pick by the NFL given the current uncertainty surrounding Aaron Rodgers’ situation with the Packers. If Rodgers is under center for Green Bay this contest could be a dynamic matchup between playoff contenders but it has blowout potential if Jordan Love is starting.

This is the third time that the Packers have hosted a game on Christmas with both previous meetings coming against the Chicago Bears in 2006 and 2011, with Green Bay winning the last matchup. This is the first time that the Browns have appeared in a Christmas game.

Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals

The nightcap features two interesting squads as the Colts head out to the desert to take on the Cardinals. This is a showcase spot for Arizona, which narrowly missed the playoffs a year ago and is looking to make a big leap in Kyler Murray’s third year, while Indianapolis has high hopes after reuniting Carson Wentz with his former offensive coordinator in Philadelphia, Frank Reich.

This is the third time that Arizona has hosted a Christmas game with both prior meetings coming against the Dallas Cowboys. The most recent matchup came in 2010 with the Cardinals squeaking out a 27-26 win. This will be the first time that the Colts have played on the holiday.