Do the Vikings Play on Christmas Day? Unwrapping the NFL's Holiday Schedule

Ho ho ho, football fans! You might be wondering, "Do the Vikings play on Christmas Day?" Well, grab a mug of hot cocoa and let's dive into the world of NFL holiday scheduling. Guys, explore more in Guides And Explainers and do the vikings play on christmas day.

The Vikings' Holiday History

Before we get into whether the Vikings play on Christmas Day, let's take a look at their holiday history. The Minnesota Vikings have a rich tradition of playing on holidays, especially Thanksgiving and Christmas.

Thanksgiving Football

The Vikings are no strangers to Thanksgiving football. They've played on Turkey Day a whopping 29 times, with their first Thanksgiving game way back in 1967. They've faced off against the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, and even the Green Bay Packers on this festive occasion.

Christmas Football

Now, onto the main event: "Do the Vikings play on Christmas Day?" The short answer is yes, but not every year. The NFL has played games on Christmas Day since 1971, and the Vikings have been a part of that tradition 12 times. Their first Christmas game was in 1971 against the Atlanta Falcons, and they've since played against various teams, including the Green Bay Packers, Detroit Lions, and Chicago Bears.

Why Do the Vikings Play on Christmas Day?

The NFL schedules Christmas games for a few reasons:

1. 1. TV Ratings: Christmas games typically draw high TV ratings, as many people are off work and home watching football.
2. 2. Tradition: The NFL has a long history of playing on Christmas Day, and fans have come to expect it.
3. 3. Flexibility: Scheduling games on holidays gives the NFL more flexibility in scheduling the rest of the season.

When Do the Vikings Play on Christmas Day?

Here are the years the Vikings have played on Christmas Day:

- 1971: Vikings vs. Atlanta Falcons (W 27-16) - 1975: Vikings vs. Detroit Lions (L 10-14) - 1977: Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers (W 31-24) - 1979: Vikings vs. Chicago Bears (W 23-7) - 1981: Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers (W 16-10) - 1986: Vikings vs. Detroit Lions (W 24-6) - 1992: Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers (L 24-30) - 2004: Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers (L 24-34) - 2009: Vikings vs. Chicago Bears (W 36-30) - 2011: Vikings vs. Washington Redskins (L 16-33) - 2016: Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers (W 17-13) - 2017: Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers (W 16-0)

As you can see, the Vikings have played on Christmas Day against a variety of opponents, with mixed results. But one thing's for sure: when the Vikings play on Christmas Day, it's always an exciting game!

What About Other Holidays?

While the Vikings have a rich history of playing on Thanksgiving and Christmas, they don't play on other major holidays like New Year's Day, Easter, or Independence Day. The NFL typically avoids scheduling games on these holidays to allow players and fans to spend time with their families.

Will the Vikings Play on Christmas Day in the Future?

The NFL hasn't released the full 2023 schedule yet, so it's too early to say whether the Vikings will play on Christmas Day this year. However, with the NFL's tradition of playing on Christmas, it's a possibility.

Wrapping Up

So, "Do the Vikings play on Christmas Day?" The answer is yes, but not every year. The Vikings have a long history of playing on Christmas, with memorable games against various opponents. Whether they'll play on Christmas Day in the future remains to be seen, but one thing's for sure: when the Vikings play on Christmas, it's always a special event for fans.

So, grab your ugly Christmas sweater, pour yourself a glass of eggnog, and get ready for some football action. Merry Christmas, and happy holidays from the Vikings! Skol!