The NFL Just Threw Detroit a Holiday Bone
Merry Christmas in May, Lions fans. The NFL schedule gods have smiled upon us, and for once, we’re not getting coal in our stockings. The Lions are officially not playing on Christmas this year, which means you can actually spend the holidays with your family instead of watching this team find new ways to ruin your December.
Thank you, NFL. Seriously. There was nothing fun about watching football on Christmas, and it especially sucked for the folks who had to work it. There’s nothing remotely festive about covering a Lions game when you should be home opening presents and pretending your uncle’s political takes aren’t ruining dinner.
Here’s How the Schedule Breaks Down
The Lions will face the New York Giants on Monday Night Football on December 28th. Meanwhile, the Packers, Bears, Rams, Seahawks, Broncos, and one unnamed team will handle all the Christmas games that Friday. Smart move by the league, honestly.
The bonus here is math. With New Year’s Eve falling on Thursday and Friday, there’s no way the NFL would saddle the Lions with a short week heading into that mess. They’re rumored to play the Bears at 4:25 PM on Sunday the third, which gives everyone a proper break.
So Lions players, fans, and local media get all the holidays off after Christmas. The players and media might still be in the building for practice on Christmas Day, but there’s a decent chance the Lions take the day off and come back on the 26th for one final practice before facing New York. We’ll see how Dan Campbell handles it.
Take the Win When You Get It
Look, after decades of this franchise finding creative ways to disappoint us during the holidays, getting Christmas off feels like a legitimate gift. Plus, the Pistons could be playing this year. Let’s watch that instead and pretend professional basketball doesn’t also cause us pain.
This is the kind of small favor that Lions fans have learned to appreciate over the years. We’ll take what we can get, when we can get it. Because knowing our luck, next year they’ll have us playing a triple-header on Christmas morning just to make up for it.
Are you actually relieved the Lions aren’t playing on Christmas, or do you think we’re soft for wanting holidays off? Drop your take below.
