The holiday season is here, and for sports fans, it’s truly the most wonderful time of the year. From NBA and NFL games on Christmas day all the way through the second round of the first-ever College Football Playoff on New Year’s Day, your sports stockings will be stuffed like a Christmas turkey over the next week and a half. Here’s a complete guide to holiday sports on DISH. Not a DISH subscriber? Follow this link to find the best offer and subscribe to DISH today!
NBA Christmas Games
San Antonio Spurs at New York Knicks – 12:00pm ET
When he entered the NBA last season, Victor Wembanyama was the most hyped rookie since LeBron James in 2003. And like LeBron, Wemby has not disappointed. His 7’3” frame gives him obvious advantages on the defensive side of the court, but what’s truly stunning is his athleticism and smooth shooting stroke. It seems like each week, Wemby puts up some heretofore unseen stat line; it should be fascinating to see what he presents he delivers for NBA fans in his Christmas day debut in front of an always electric crowd at Madison Square Garden.
Minnesota Timberwolves at Dallas Mavericks – 2:30pm ET
The second of the five games is a rematch of last year’s Western Conference Final. But this season, things have gone as cold as the Minnesota weather for the Timberwolves. It appears that their trade for Knicks players Julius Randle and Donte DiVincenzo has left them in search of an identity. As of Dec. 23, the T-Wolves are just one game over .500 and one spot above the cut-off for the play-in tournament. Meanwhile, the Dallas Mavericks are fourth in the ultra-competitive West and they’re getting great contributions from the players on their roster that aren’t the big two of Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving. For Minnesota, this isn’t just a shot at revenge, it’s a chance to get right after a rough start to the season.
Philadelphia 76ers at Boston Celtics – 5:00pm ET
This isn’t a Christmas cookie, so we’re not going to sugarcoat it: At 9-17, the 76ers are the most disappointing team in the NBA thus far. A lot of that has to do with early-season injuries to former MVP Joel Embiid (he’s expected to play on Christmas), and there’s plenty of time to turn things around in the Eastern Conference, where the sixth-place team is only .500. Still, this game has the potential to turn into a showcase for the defending champion Boston Celtics, who look very much on pace to once again make a deep playoff run.
Los Angeles Lakers at Golden State Warriors – 8:00pm ET
At this late stage of his career, LeBron James owns too many eye-popping records to possibly list here (just last week, he surpassed Kareem Abdul-Jabbar for the most minutes played in NBA history). However, there is one stat relevant to this particular game: 18. That’s the number of games that LeBron has played on Christmas, yet another NBA record he holds (unsurprisingly, he’s also the Christmas day leader in points). This year, he’ll face off against another all-time great in Steph Curry, the NBA’s all-time leading 3-point shooter. With two of the best to ever step on the hardcourt going head-to-head in what could be their final competition on Christmas, this game is the biggest present under the NBA’s Christmas tree.
Denver Nuggets at Phoenix Suns – 10:30pm ET
Nikola Jokic is a gift from the basketball Gods. Simply put, there is no precedent for his all-around greatness. Even after winning three MVPs and a championship in the past four seasons, he’s off to the best statistical start of his career this season. It goes without saying that he alone is worth staying up late to see. But with respect to the Joker, there’s another wild card out there for the Nuggets: Aaron Gordon, who two years ago delivered one of the filthiest dunks of all-time on Christmas day against these very same Phoenix Suns.
NFL Christmas GameDay on Netflix
Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers – 1pm ET
With a showdown between two iconic AFC franchises, this was always going to be great matchup for Netflix’s first foray into the NFL. But this game turns out to have massive stakes for both teams. For Kansas City, a win would lock up the top seed in the AFC, and they could rest their starters in the regular season finale against a Denver Broncos team that might be in a win-and-in scenario. For the Steelers, a win would go a long way toward locking up the AFC North (and a home playoff game) following last week’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans – 2:30pm ET
In a rematch of last year’s divisional round playoff game, the Baltimore Ravens will travel to Houston to take on the Texans. Although both teams have already secured a return to the playoffs, there’s still plenty at stake. For the Ravens, it’s a chance to move up in a tight AFC North race against the Steelers, while the Texans will try to secure a higher seed and better matchup.
Netflix is now available on us for two years for new subscribers! To watch Netflix directly on DISH using your internet-connected DISH receiver, just navigate to Channel 302, or hit the “Home” button to open “Apps” and select Netflix.
College Football Bowl Games
Tue., Dec. 24
Hawai’i Bowl
South Florida vs. San Jose State
Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Complex (Honolulu, Hawaii)
8 p.m., ESPN
We got an AAC vs Mountain West battle on the big island. Your reason to tune in? San Jose State wide receiver Nick Nash, who is a finalist for the Biletnikoff Award.
Thurs., Dec. 26
GameAbove Sports Bowl
Pittsburgh vs Toledo
Ford Field (Detroit, Michigan)
2 p.m., ESPN
Bowl games between P4 and G5 schools are always a must watch. In this case, Toledo will look to upset Pittsburgh who lost five straight games to end the season after starting 7-0.
Rate Bowl
Rutgers vs Kansas State
Chase Field (Phoenix, Arizona)
5:30 p.m., ESPN
Another tradition in Bowl Season is playing football games in baseball stadiums. We don’t know why, but we like it. These two teams have a similar ethos of being physical, running the football, and playing defense. Both will look to roll into the offseason with positive momentum.
68 Ventures Bowl
Arkansas State vs Bowling Green
Hancock Whitney Stadium (Mobile, Alabama)
9 p.m., ESPN
If Bowling Green is in a bowl game, you have to watch them. We don’t make the rules.
Fri., Dec. 27
Lockheed Martin Armed Forces
Oklahoma vs Navy
Amon G. Carter Stadium (Fort Worth, Texas)
Noon, ESPN
It was a rough season for Oklahoma by their standards, but the win at home against Alabama kept fans from jumping ship. Brent Venables team should not take this game lightly.
Birmingham Bowl
Georgia Tech vs Vanderbilt
Protective Stadium (Birmingham, Alabama)
3:30 p.m., ESPN
Two teams who exceed expectations this season will look to finish the campaign out on a high. Quarterbacks Haynes Kings and Diego Pavia have similar characteristics as they both like to get out and run.
AutoZone Liberty Bowl
Texas Tech vs Arkansas
Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium (Memphis, Tennessee)
7 p.m., ESPN
There has been plenty of talk amongst coaches and the college football community about the depth and strength of conferences outside the Big10 and SEC. This game will be a good measuring stick.
DirecTV Holiday Bowl
No. 21 Syracuse vs Washington State
Snapdragon Stadium (San Diego, California)
8 p.m., FOX
Due to the sponsor, we can’t preview this bowl game on DISH, you’ll just have to Google it.
SRS Distribution Las Vegas Bowl
Texas A&M vs USC
Allegiant Stadium (Las Vegas, Nevada)
10:30 p.m., ESPN
We could categorize year one under Mike Elko as a success for Texas A&M. With two weeks left in the regular season, the Aggies were right in the thick of the CFP until its two losses to Auburn and Texas. USC on the other hand had a tough transition into life in the Big10. The always shaky Trojan defense finally improved under new defensive coordinator D’Anton Lynn, but the offense took a step back without an elite quarterback. This is a fun one between two big brands.
Sat., Dec. 28
Wasabi Fenway Bowl
Uconn vs North Carolina
Fenway Park (Boston, Massachusetts)
11 a.m., ESPN
Another game in a baseball stadium! And it’s between two blue blood basketball schools. We’ll go out and say that the winner gets to claim the title of ‘best basketball school who won the Wasabi Fenway Bowl.’
Bad Boy Mowers Pinstripe Bowl
Boston College vs Nebraska
Yankee Stadium (Bronx, New York)
Noon, ESPN
It’s only fitting that when the Red Sox stadium is hosting a Bowl Game that the Yankees host one at roughly the same time. This is the first bowl game for Nebraska since 2016, and head coach Matt Ruhle could really use this as a launch pad into year three of his tenure. The first year under head coach Bill O’Brien was a success and quarterback Tommy Castellanos is fun to watch.
Isleta New Mexico Bowl
Louisiana vs TCU
University Stadium (Albuquerque, New Mexico)
12:15 p.m., ESPN
The Ragin’ Cajuns got blown out in the Sun Belt Championship which soured a great season for head coach Micahel Desormeaux. TCU quietly had a solid season going 8-4, and will look to avoid a let down for the conference against a G5 opponent.
Pop-Tarts Bowl
No. 18 Iowa State vs No. 13 Miami
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
3:30 p.m., ABC
One thing we love about Bowl Season is the wackiness that comes with it. Enter in the Pop-Tarts Bowl, which took college football by storm last year as the winners have the honor of eating the edible mascot. Miami will look to show that they most certainly should have been in the Playoff after faltering in the last game of the season vs Syracuse. Iowa State got routed in the Big 12 Championship, and now face an even more high powered offense. Early reports show that quarterback Cam Ward and other players are not opting out.
Go Bowling Military Bowl
East Carolina vs NC State
Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium (Annapolis, Maryland)
5:45 p.m., ESPN
It’s not often bowl games are between two rivals, but the Go Bowling Military Bowl is just that. In-state rivals, NC State and Eastern Carolina will meet for the 33rd time and the first time not in the state of North Carolina. That should give this one at a little extra pop.
Valero Alamo Bowl
No.17 BYU vs No.23 Colorado
Alamodome (San Antonio, Texas)
7:30 p.m., ABC
Two Big 12 teams will battle it out at the Alamo as the Colorado Buffaloes are technically still under a Pac-12 designation. These were the other two teams who were in a four way tie for the top of the conference but were left out for ASU and Iowa State. You could call it a Bronze Medal game for Coach Prime and Kalani Sitake. Deion Sanders has said Shedeur Sanders, Travis Hunter and all of his seniors will be playing in the game. This could be one of the more fun games of the bowl season.
Radiance Technologies Independence Bowl
Marshall vs No.22 Army
Independence Stadium (Shreveport, Louisiana)
9:15 p.m., ESPN
The conference champions of the Sun Belt and AAC got a date in Shreveport! Tune into this one for the quarterbacks. Marshall’s Braylon Braxton is a true dual threat talent while Army’s Bryson Daily’s 29 rushing touchdowns is tied for the top of the country with Boise State’s Ashton Jeanty.
Mon., Dec. 30
TransPerfect Music City Bowl
Iowa vs No.19 Missouri
Nissan Stadium (Nashville, Tennessee)
2:30 p.m., ESPN
It’s always an experience when you watch Iowa. They will try to muck this game up as much as possible as they faceoff against a Mizzou offense that won’t have star wide receiver Luther Burden III as he opted out of the game for the NFL Draft.
Tuesday., Dec. 31
ReliaQuest Bowl
No. 11 Alabama vs Michigan
Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
Noon, ESPN
Life comes at you fast. Almost exactly one year ago to the date of this bowl game Alabama and Michigan faced off in the semifinals of the College Football Playoff in the Rose Bowl. Michigan’s win over Ohio State covered up a disappointing year for the Wolverines, and Alabama was the first team left out of this year’s playoff due to its three losses to Vanderbilt, Tennessee and Oklahoma. Michigan will surely be motivated, but we’ll see who opts on both sides in this one.
Cheez-It Citrus Bowl
No.15 South Carolina vs No. 20 Illinois
Camping World Stadium (Orlando, Florida)
3 p.m., ESPN
South Carolina was another team that felt it had a legitimate gripe of not getting into the playoff. Shane Beamer’s team had a great year, and quarterback LaNorris Sellers is one of the most talented players at the position. Illinois is going for it’s first 10 win season since 2001.
Kinder’s Texas Bowl
Baylor vs LSU
NRG Stadium (Houston, Texas)
7:30 p.m., ESPN
In a previous life, Baylor head coach Dave Aranda was the defensive coordinator of the 2019 LSU team that won the National Championship. It’s the role that landed him the job in Waco. Now he’ll have to rub salt in the wound on what’s been a tough season in Baton Rouge.
NFL Network Saturday Tripleheader – Dec. 28
LA Chargers at New England Patriots – 1pm ET
With a comeback victory on Thursday Night Football over AFC West rivals, the Denver Broncos, Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers have all but punched their ticket to the playoffs. According to ESPN, the Chargers now have a 96 percent chance to make the postseason. It’s a massive accomplishment for a team few predicted would be here and a testament to the brilliance of coach Jim Harbaugh, who joined the team this Spring following his National Championship with the Michigan Wolverines last season.
As for the New England Patriots, this season has underscored how far they’ve fallen since the glory years of Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. At 3-12 and in last place in the AFC East, they’re currently projected to pick second in next year’s draft. But at least they won’t have to scout for a quarterback: As miserable as this season’s been, rookie QB Drake Maye has shown enough signs to be the long term answer at the most crucial position in sports.
Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals – 4pm ET
This is easily the biggest game of the Saturday schedule and perhaps all of Week 17. The path to the playoffs is direct for Denver: the Broncos can earn their first playoff berth since their Super 50 victory in 2016 by winning one of their final two games. But as bad as their loss to the Chargers may have been, a loss to the Bengals would be far worse. Not only would it mean that they would need to clinch in their final game of the season against the top-seeded Kansas City Chiefs, but it would open the door for the Bengals, who would be just one game back with the tiebreaker in hand. Denver boasts one of the AFC’s best defenses, while Cincinnati has one of the most explosive offenses. If the Broncos can win that battle and rookie QB Bo Nix can continue to pilot Denver’s offense to its best performance in a decade, the Broncos could be popping champagne bottles even before the calendar flips to New Year’s.
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams – 8pm ET
The top of the NFC West has been a game of musical chairs this season, even with the injury-plagued San Francisco 49ers having an off year. The Arizona Cardinals took pole position when they won their fourth straight game in early November, but they’ve since lost four-of-five and were officially eliminated on Sunday following an overtime loss to the Carolina Panthers. The Los Angeles Rams, conversely, are getting hot at the right time. After a 1-4 start, they’ve won eight of their last 10 games, including a 44-42 upset over the Buffalo Bills in what might go down as the best game of the regular season. With Seattle’s loss to the Vikings, the Rams are now in first place in the division and with a win over Arizona and a Seahawks’ loss, they would clinch a home playoff game this season, completing an amazing three month about-face.
College Football Playoff Quarterfinals
No. 6 Penn State vs. No. 3 Boise State
Where: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)
When: Dec. 31, 7:30 p.m., ESPN
This will be the fourth Fiesta Bowl appearance in program history for the Boise State Broncos and guess what? They have yet to lose in the desert. The legend all began in 2006 when Boise stunned Oklahoma in one of the best games in college football history. The Broncos did it again in 2010 and 2014, and now will have a chance to prove the haters wrong against Penn State. Behind running back Ashton Jeanty, Boise have cruised to an 11-1 record, with their only loss being to Oregon by a slim 3 points. Penn State will have all the pressure here and will need to take care of the football. Like we said, the magic is in the desert air for the Broncos.
No. 5 Texas vs. No. 4 Arizona State
Where: Mercedes-Benz Stadium (Atlanta, Georgia)
When: Jan. 1, 1 p.m., ESPN
No one is really giving Arizona State much of a chance in this game. But similar to the first game of the quarterfinals, all of the pressure lies on the favorite. Sure, the first round of the Playoff was chalky, but this is college football, after all. The task for the Longhorns will be to stop running back Cam Skattebo, and surely ASU head coach Kenny Dillingham will have something up his sleeve with the extra time to prepare. But again, Texas is more talented across the board. The winner will have a date with Oregon or Ohio State.
No. 8 Ohio State vs. No. 1 Oregon
Where: Rose Bowl (Pasadena, California)
When: Jan. 1, 5 p.m., ESPN
The grand daddy of them all. Yes, we’re talking about the Rose Bowl but this is the most exciting matchup (and rematch) of the quarterfinals. In the shadows of the San Gabriel Mountains, Ohio State coach Ryan Day will look to absolve his loss to Michigan and to Oregon earlier in this season by securing the Buckeyes a spot in the Semifinals. Beating a team twice is a tall task, but Oregon has been the most consistent and best team all season. The extra rest will help the Ducks, as the program looks to get over the hump and win its first ever National Championship. There is no better tradition than the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day, and this game is what the sport is all about.
No. 7 Notre Dame vs. No. 2 Georgia
Where: Caesars Superdomel (New Orleans, Louisiana)
When: Jan. 1, 8:45 p.m., ESPN
With Georgia starting quarterback Carson Beck officially ruled out with an elbow injury, sophomore signal caller Gunner Stockton will look to lead the ship. Georgia have been one of the tougher teams to pin down this season. Inconsistency has been a problem for the Dawgs, but in the end, Kirby Smart always seems to find a way to motivate his team across the finish line. Along with Notre Dame coach Marcus Freeman, this game figures to be a battle of two defensive master minds. Which team will have enough offensively to get the job done?
