3 Takeaways From the NFL's Christmas Tripleheader

[ad_1] Christmas has turn into a soccer vacation, even when the video games this yr weren't one of the best the league has to supply.

Solely one of many six groups that performed on Christmas will make the playoffs, however we nonetheless noticed all 4 video games inside one possession within the fourth quarter. The Cowboys beat the Commanders, the Vikings ended the Lions' season, and the Broncos narrowly beat the Chiefs within the nightcap.

Listed here are the takeaways from all three video games on Christmas:

The Cowboys’ offseason focus must be on the protection For the Cowboys offense, Week 17 was one more show of its potent potential and a reminder of what might’ve been if the group had gelled sooner. Quarterback Dak Prescott topped 300 yards passing for the sixth time in Dallas’ seventh 30-plus-point effort.

Nevertheless, given the shut rating in opposition to Washington’s third-string quarterback, the sport additionally reiterated simply the necessity for the protection to maintain bettering. It has been well-documented how a lot the Cowboys protection has struggled in 2025, however the unit has regarded higher since making a number of noteworthy trade-deadline strikes, which included buying and selling a 2026 second-round decide and a first-rounder in 2027.

With an offseason of labor and restoration, Dallas’ protection might present huge enhancements in 2026 with defensive deal with Quinnen Williams anchoring the entrance seven, and cornerback DaRon Bland, linebacker DeMarvion Overshown, cornerback Shavon Revel Jr. and (presumably) CB Trevon Diggs within the secondary.

Jake Ferguson opened the scoring for a Cowboys offense that began sizzling in opposition to the Commanders. (Scott Taetsch/Getty Photos)

This was by no means the Lions’ season Detroit got here into the season going through naysayers about whether or not head coach Dan Campbell might get by with important adjustments to his teaching employees. Offensive coordinator Ben Johnson and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn received head-coaching jobs with the Bears and Jets, respectively, and several other different coaches adopted them.

The Lions received to 6-3 however have now misplaced 5 of their final seven video games. They'll miss the playoffs after clinching a spot in every of the final two seasons.

The protection is the principle unit that struggled a lot down the stretch. The Lions allowed 29 or extra factors to the Packers, Cowboys, Rams and Steelers of their 4 video games earlier than Christmas, after which they let a Max Brosmer-led offense rating 20 factors. Detroit did flip the ball over six instances, although, which didn’t assist.

The Lions will stay aggressive subsequent season, however they may have missed their window to make a deep playoff run in every of the previous two seasons.

Is Denver’s elite protection sufficient? There’s no doubting the Broncos protection. That unit, albeit in opposition to a third-string quarterback, held the Chiefs to lower than 100 yards of offense and had quarterback Shane Buechele beneath stress all evening.

The offense, led by quarterback Bo Nix, was much less spectacular. On Christmas, he was 26-of-38 for 182 yards, which is a mean of 4.7 yards per try, with one landing and one interception.

Whereas Nix is able to enjoying a terrific recreation, he's equally able to placing up an actual stinker. He was 18-of-37 earlier this season in opposition to the Texans, and he led the Broncos to simply 10 factors at dwelling in opposition to the Raiders again on Nov. 6.

The Broncos protection is among the finest within the NFL, however Nix has proven he might be fairly common at instances. Whether or not Denver can overcome that may decide whether or not it’s hoisting a Lombardi Trophy in February.

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