Relive the excitement of nfl games christmas day 2015! Our article covers all the highlights and reactions from fans, players, and the league itself.
The holiday season in 2015 brought with it a special gift for NFL fans – three exciting games on Christmas Day. The Philadelphia Eagles took on the Washington Redskins, the Green Bay Packers faced off against the Minnesota Vikings, and the Denver Broncos went head to head with the Kansas City Chiefs.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at each game, highlighting the key moments, players, and outcomes. We’ll also examine the impact of scheduling games on Christmas Day and provide an overview of fan and player reactions.
Game 1: Philadelphia Eagles vs. Washington Redskins
The first game of the day saw the Philadelphia Eagles travel to FedEx Field to take on the Washington Redskins. Both teams had struggled throughout the season, with the Eagles sitting at 6-8 and the Redskins at 7-7. However, this game had playoff implications for both sides, with the winner keeping their slim postseason hopes alive.
The game got off to a slow start, with both teams struggling to move the ball. However, the Eagles struck first, with quarterback Sam Bradford connecting with tight end Zach Ertz for a touchdown late in the first quarter. The Redskins responded with a touchdown of their own early in the second quarter, with quarterback Kirk Cousins finding wide receiver Pierre Garcon in the end zone.
The game remained close throughout, with both teams trading blows and the lead changing hands multiple times. However, it was the Eagles who ultimately emerged victorious, with Bradford connecting with Ertz for their second touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter to seal a 38-24 win.
The game was a standout performance for Ertz, who finished with 13 receptions for 122 yards and two touchdowns. Bradford also had a strong showing, throwing for 380 yards and four touchdowns. The win kept the Eagles’ playoff hopes alive for another week, while the Redskins were officially eliminated from postseason contention.
Game 2: Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
The second game of the day was a battle for the NFC North title, as the Green Bay Packers traveled to TCF Bank Stadium to take on the Minnesota Vikings. The Packers had dominated the division for the past several years but had struggled in 2015, while the Vikings had emerged as a surprise contender with a record of 10-5.
The game got off to a fast start, with the Vikings jumping out to an early lead thanks to a touchdown run by running back Adrian Peterson. However, the Packers responded with two touchdowns of their own in the second quarter, with quarterback Aaron Rodgers connecting with wide receiver James Jones and tight end Richard Rodgers.
The Vikings fought back in the second half, with Peterson scoring his second touchdown of the game to tie things up in the fourth quarter. However, it was the Packers who ultimately prevailed, with kicker Mason Crosby connecting on a 51-yard field goal with just seconds remaining to secure a 20-13 win.
The game was a defensive battle, with both teams struggling to move the ball consistently. Peterson finished with 67 yards and two touchdowns on the ground, while Rodgers threw for 291 yards and two touchdowns. The win secured the NFC North title for the Packers, while the Vikings were forced to settle for a wild card spot in the playoffs.
Game 2: Green Bay Packers vs. Minnesota Vikings
The game between the Packers and the Vikings was played on Christmas Day, December 25, 2015. The game was held at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 PM EST.
The Packers came into the game with a record of 10-5, having lost four of their past six games. However, they still had a chance to win the NFC North with a victory over the Vikings. The Vikings, on the other hand, had won three of their past four games and were sitting at 10-5, with a wild card spot in the playoffs secured.
The game featured several key players on both sides. For the Packers, quarterback Aaron Rodgers was the focal point of the offense, having thrown for over 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns on the season. Wide receiver Randall Cobb and tight end Richard Rodgers were also major contributors in the passing game. On defense, linebacker Clay Matthews and defensive tackle Mike Daniels were key players to watch.
For the Vikings, running back Adrian Peterson was the star of the offense, having rushed for over 1,400 yards and 11 touchdowns on the season. Wide receiver Stefon Diggs and tight end Kyle Rudolph were also important pieces in the passing game. On defense, linebacker Anthony Barr and safety Harrison Smith were key players to watch.
In a close and hard-fought game, the Packers ultimately came out on top, securing the NFC North title with a 20-13 victory. The win was a crucial one for the Packers, who would go on to lose in the divisional round of the playoffs to the Arizona Cardinals.
Game 3: Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs
The final game of the day featured a divisional matchup between the Denver Broncos and the Kansas City Chiefs. The game was played on Christmas night, with kickoff scheduled for 8:25 PM EST, at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri.
Both teams came into the game with identical records of 10-4, with the winner of the game securing the AFC West division title. The Broncos were led by future Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning, who had missed several games during the season due to injury. The Chiefs, on the other hand, were led by quarterback Alex Smith and a strong defense.
The game featured several key players on both sides. For the Broncos, Manning was the focal point of the offense, while running back C.J. Anderson and wide receiver Demaryius Thomas were also important contributors. On defense, linebacker Von Miller and cornerback Chris Harris Jr. were key players to watch.
For the Chiefs, Smith was the leader of the offense, with running back Charcandrick West and wide receiver Jeremy Maclin also playing important roles. On defense, linebacker Justin Houston and safety Eric Berry were key players to watch.
In a hard-fought defensive battle, the Broncos ultimately came out on top, securing the AFC West title with a 20-17 victory. The win was a crucial one for the Broncos, who would go on to win Super Bowl 50 several weeks later.