While Christmas Day has traditionally been the NBA’s day to shine on the sports calendar, the holiday falling on a Monday has given the NFL a rare opportunity to join in on the fun.
Instead of having just one Monday Night Football matchup, the NFL has gifted us a triple-header of games to enjoy.
Let’s delve into each of the 2023 NFL Christmas Day games from a betting perspective.
NFL betting odds cited below are current as of Wednesday, Dec. 20, and courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Christmas NFL Betting Odds
Las Vegas Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs (1 p.m. ET)
Raiders +10 (-110) @ Chiefs -10 (-110)
The festive fixtures kick off with an AFC West rivalry that dates back to the AFL days. The Raiders, now of Las Vegas, will visit the defending Super Bowl champion Kansas City Chiefs.
The Chiefs have been a dominant force in the AFC over the past half-decade, especially at Arrowhead Stadium, and have won 11 of their last 12 games (including six straight) against the rival Raiders.
When these two teams met in Week 12, Aidan O’Connell and the Raiders jumped out to a 14-0 lead. However, Patrick Mahomes rallied the Chiefs to a 31-17 victory.
Kansas City can wrap up its eighth consecutive AFC West title with a win, something that would make this Christmas even sweeter for Chiefs fans.
New York Giants @ Philadelphia Eagles (4:30 p.m. ET)
Giants +11.5 (-110) @ Eagles -11.5 (-110)
Next, we shift our focus to the NFC East, where the New York Giants take on the Philadelphia Eagles in a city where even Santa Claus isn’t safe from being booed.
However, Eagles fans should have something to cheer about on Christmas Day as the home team is a significant favorite in this encounter.
Despite a lackluster recent run of results, Philadelphia controls its destiny in the NFC East race and should get back on track with a victory against New York.
The Giants were run out of Philadelphia in the divisional round last January, losing 38-7 to their NFC East rivals. And that was with Daniel Jones at quarterback.
The rise of QB Tommy DeVito has been a great story, but it’s hard to see New York keeping this game close against an angry Eagles squad.
Baltimore Ravens @ San Francisco 49ers (8:15 p.m. ET)
Ravens +5 (-110) @ 49ers -5 (-110)
The final game of the 2023 NFL Christmas Day slate is by far the most intriguing as the top teams in each conference collide.
The Baltimore Ravens (11-3) will visit the San Francisco 49ers (11-3) in what could be a precursor to a Super Bowl showdown.
Baltimore, buoyed by the MVP form of quarterback Lamar Jackson and a dominant defense, has been the most consistent team in a loaded AFC.
Meanwhile, San Francisco has been a perennial contender in the NFC thanks to a load of talented skill-position players, a dominant defense, and one of the best offensive lines in the league. The emergence of QB Brock Purdy, another contender in the latest NFL MVP odds, has many believing the Niners are the best team in the league.
This game, which features two of the most physical teams in football, should go a long way in determining that. I think San Francisco wins, but backing Baltimore with the points is appealing.