It’s not Netflix’s fault.
The streaming giant probably didn’t expect its highly anticipated Christmas Day matchup between the Vikings and Lions to be quite so lowkey.
Headlining the second game of a holiday double header for the streaming giant’s second year of Christmas football were undrafted rookie Max Brosmer and an underwhelming and disappointing Detroit squad.
In a sloppy, ugly game, with a turnover seemingly on every other drive, the Netflix stockings were full of interceptions and fumbles.
Brosmer capitalized on six Detroit turnovers, guiding the Vikings to a sluggish 23-10 upset – and a defeat for Detroit that ends their playoff ambition.
Minnesota’s offense struggled, gaining just three net passing yards as a team. Brosmer went 9-for-16 for 51 yards but was sacked seven times for a loss of 48 yards. It was a hard watch.
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The Vikings managed just three net passing yards yet still won by 13, a stark reflection of how poorly Detroit performed in a must-win game.
Fans who tuned in were not only disappointed with the product on the field, but also unimpressed with the holiday broadcast, citing questionable production choices. Their biggest gripe?
Interviews with Cris Carter and Barry Sanders during the middle of the action.
“@Netflix, if you’re going to broadcast NFL games in your subscription that’s fine, but actually do that. I don’t need to hear from and look at every retired player, and this and that during the game. We’re here for the game . Play the f***** game. Thanks,” one angry subscriber and viewer posted on X.
“Hey @Netflix, this interview in the middle of the game that’s cutting out the audio and completely taking away from the game broadcast absolutely sucks,” a different fan remarked.
“Cris Carter sounds like he’s underwater. Netflix broadcast a s*** show,” another fan commented.
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Snoop Dogg performed in front of a packed U.S. Bank StadiumCredit: Getty
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Snoop Dogg played a handful of Christmas hits on the holidayCredit: Getty
“These Netflix NFL broadcasts are amateurish. The in-game-interviews are a disaster. The score bug looks like it was made by cheap AI. And the broadcast crew has absolutely no juice. And why the f*** is a wrestler giving me football analysis at halftime?” one more fan chimed in.
Football fans were also less than impressed that some elements of the broadcast were taken over to promote the platform’s upcoming and films.
During the Commanders-Cowboys game, a spot high up in the stands was given over to a bunch of characters from Stranger Things, while in the Lions-Vikings game a sideline suite was turned into a British pub, mimicking the set of the forthcoming Peaky Blinders film.
10 out of 10 for invention, and as ever the reviews were mixed: “Eleven at an NFL game is the crossover I never knew I needed! Can’t believe we’re finally getting the conclusion to this story tonight. My Christmas plans are officially sorted,” one fan said.
Others were less than impressed and were far more interested in the football.
“Netflix has the WORST coverage of a NFL game. Doing more Stranger Things plugs then Christmas ones,” another fan posted on X, formerly Twitter.
Looks like a few fans around the country woke up with coal in their stockings. Sure, the broadcasts for the Lions-Vikings game and the earlier Cowboys-Commanders matchup weren’t flawless, but people need to lighten up.
It’s been a fine production, with some hits and the occasional miss.
Did fans enjoy Snoop Dogg’s halftime show?
However, one point everyone seemed to agree on was Snoop Dogg’s halftime performance in Minnesota.
Dressed in a red suit and fur-trimmed jacket, Snoop performed a string of his biggest hits, from “Nuthin’ But A G Thang” to “Drop It Like It’s Hot.”
Yet, some of the guest performers may have ended up stealing the spotlight from the rap icon.
The halftime show included appearances by K-Pop group Demon Hunters’ Huntrix, country star Lainey Wilson, and Andrea and Matteo Bocelli.
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The rap icon stole the show on Christmas DayCredit: Getty
“Snoop Dogg and the KPop Demon Hunters just played the best NFL halftime show we’ve ever seen,” one pleased customer wrote on X.
“Who knew the halftime show for the Lions Vikings game would be better than the Super Bowl? Snoop Dogg is the truth!” another fan said.
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There was a little bit of something for everyone and Snoop Dogg delivered plenty of Christmas cheer.
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