Netflix's NFL Christmas Day Coverage Reviews Are In
It's no secret Netflix wants to dominate all things entertainment, and that includes sports coverage.
The streaming giant is fully immersed in the WWE and boxing. Last year, Netflix officially launched its media rights partnership with the NFL. Fans were critical back then, and they're being critical again this season in Netflix's second year of broadcasting two NFL games on Christmas Day.
In fact, fans are fuming.
Netflix streamed the Dallas Cowboys-Washington Commanders and Detroit Lions-Minnesota Vikings games. The Lions were the only team clinging to playoff hope (they ultimately lost in an upset that eliminated them from contention), so while there wasn't any playoff drama, fans no doubt tuned in for the annual NFL tradition.
And many of those fans took to social media to voice their displeasure with Netflix's production, which oddly included Zoom interviews with legendary players like Barry Sanders, Cris Carter, Clinton Portis, and Emmitt Smith.
The interviews were awkward. The legendary players were on Zoom at home or in their backyard as commentators interviewed them as the game unfolded.
Netflix used a field level suite to promote the new ‘PEAKY BLINDERS’ film at the NFL Christmas Day games pic.twitter.com/FcSvmeis6l
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) December 26, 2025
There was also a lot of promotion. As in, Netflix took every opportunity to promote new shows or shows returning with new seasons. For Peaky Blinders, for example, Netflix actually booked a field box at AT&T Stadium and turned it into the iconic Garrison Tavern.
What's more, the "fans" hanging out in the Garrison Tavern field box were decked out just like Thomas Shelby. There was also apparently a lot of buffering, which only reminded some fans of Netflix's last fiasco.
For what it's worth, the NFL's third game on Christmas Day -- between the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs -- streamed on Prime, which has a strong track record of streaming Thursday Night Football with Al Michaels and Kirk Herbstreit in the booth.
No complaints about Prime's coverage, except that to watch Thursday Night Football, you must be an Amazon Prime subscriber.
Here are just some of what fans griped about Netflix's NFL coverage on social media:
Netflix doing interviews with former players in the middle of the game… pic.twitter.com/GPXcgjl6Oi
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) December 25, 2025
TRENDING: #NFL fans are ANGRY with Netflix Christmas game mid-game interviews over zoom.
— MLFootball (@MLFootball) December 25, 2025
They have already interviewed Emmitt Smith and Clinton Portis — The connection & sound has been awful, and the answers are delayed for the most part.
????
pic.twitter.com/8WucfZPC9U
Fire the production team for Netflix. An abomination of a broadcast. No one needs to see guys who played 6-10-30 years ago on FaceTime during a close divisional game
— David Canter (@davidcanter) December 25, 2025
This Dallas/Washington game on Netflix is a disgrace. They do not have what is needed to manage pro football. Constant buffering. Only commercials have clear picture. #NFL
— Mary Dollinger (@MaryDollinger6) December 25, 2025
Watching the NFL on Netflix… pic.twitter.com/PmF27M94Dx
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) December 25, 2025
8k tv, Download speeds above 800mbps and the quality is horrible. BUT the commercials look incredible tho... @netflix @NFL pic.twitter.com/l49bLaaf3W
— Eateban Gonzalez (@Esteban_Gzz11) December 25, 2025
Netflix NFL coverage is awful. Whatever the opposite of customer-focused is, that's what the @nfl did here. pic.twitter.com/n0ebH49LDQ
— Ted McCrann (@tedmccrann) December 25, 2025
Hey @NFL & @netflix I have to admit I'm NOT liking the experience of NFL coverage. I want to watch the game i don't need to hear Clinton Portis or Emmitt Smith before that being interviewed this is a football game not remember the past.
— Patrick Gray (@sportsguy85) December 25, 2025
This NFL Coverage on @Netflix is terrible. If you can't handle millions of people at once watching an event, then stop having the events. Game has crashed Netflix 14 times, picture quality is bad, and has ruined a Christmas Tradition. @NFL and Netflix have screwed us
— Las Vegas Mat (@LasVegasMat) December 25, 2025
I mean why would you heavily promote Christmas Day @NFL games on @netflix and then not be able to handle people wanting to watch!
— Warren Dean (@WarrenDean26) December 25, 2025
Just ridiculous!#netflixdown #NetflixNFL pic.twitter.com/ABaKtinleG