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Good morning! Enjoy the leftovers today.
Weâre going streaming: Netflix and the NFL are celebrating Christmas
After Netflix agreed to pay $150 million to air two NFL games on Christmas â thatâs $50 million more than producing a season of Game of Thrones. for two games â Attention turned to the production itself, not just the great matchups. Why? Well, after last monthâs technical debacle between Jake Paul and Mike Tyson, it was clear that Christmas Day was going to be a BIG test for the NFL. AlsoâŠBeyoncĂ©. 
We have reviews. But first the games:
Early in the game, the Chiefs executed a plot twist. Itâs fitting that this seasonâs Hallmark Channel hit is based on the Chiefs (no, really). Think about it: every action is basically the same. A little drama and the Chiefs win narrowly â literally every week. The widowed elementary school sweethearts end up in the same small town and the magic of Christmas wins. So this 29-10 Steelers away loss was a curiosity. An outlier Street win?! WaitâŠshe ran off with a Hells Angel?
But love is love, and itâs still the Chiefs. The win brings them to 15-1, they have the No. 1 seed and Patrick Mahomes is casually throwing 45-foot laterals.
This guy is on another level.#KCvsPIT To @Netflix pic.twitter.com/xpn3sJAY5H
â NFL (@NFL) December 25, 2024
Then the Ravens destroyed Houston. Plot of a Sharknado writers room sequel series? No. Just a bad NFL game. Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry were wildJackson is now the all-time QB rushing leader (at 27!) and the Ravens are ranked 3rd. Also: The 31:2 victory was no Scorigami.
Current NFL playoff predictions here.
So, about this stream:
It startedâŠhard. Richard Deitsch notes in his review: âFor the first 20 seconds of the show, viewers couldnât hear studio host Kay Adamsâ voice during her intro.â Um, folks. (Regard.)
Things got better! The broadcast of the game itself was outsourced to CBS, so casual viewers did not suffer. But as Deitsch notes, âThe sheer volume of outsourced talent made for a bumpy experience.â In any case, Netflix passed the BeyoncĂ© test of not crashing. (Her stunning halftime performance should be uploaded here soon.)
Media colleague Andrew Marchand gave The Pulse a grade:
âNetflix gets a B. Itâs the NFL and Netflix. Although there were concerns that the duo would have problems with the stream, there is no rating on a curve. Ultimately it worked and the image was flawless. Netflix also got the play-by-players right with Ian and Noah Eagle anchoring the coverage throughout the day.â
Read more: It was a day full of ups and downs for Netflix, while it was all downhill for the Steelers.
Interesting facts
A mostly great day of basketball
Yes, todayâs entire news section doubles as an NBA recap. This is Christmas for you.
The list delivered everything, starting with a special appearance from Victor Wembanyama. The 2023 No. 1 pick dropped 42 points, 18 rebounds, four assists and four blocks in the Spursâ 117-114 loss to the Knicks.
In the evening block, the Lakers managed a last-second victory over the Warriors. Steph Curry hit eight 3s, but it wasnât enough to defeatâŠAustin Reaves. When it comes to Disney alternative broadcasts, we canât forget Minnie Mouseâs breathtaking dunk contest!
However, the day was not without some sad moments:
- Luka Doncic came through the Mavericksâ loss to the Timberwolves with a calf strain and is expected to undergo further testing today.
- Anthony Davis left the Lakers game with a sprained ankle but reportedly said he would be able to play against the Kings on Saturday.
Even yesterday, Klay Thompson passed Reggie Miller on the all-time 3-pointers list.
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Happy GIFmas: A beautiful baseball vision
There are still a few gifts missing for our Secret Santa Christmas game. Letâs strike:
Wish #5: Levi Weaver, The Windup
One gift I want from baseball this year: I really need an AL playoff round that pits the Rays and Yankees against each other in the ALDS, with the Rays playing in an all-minor league ALCS stadium Aâs compete. In the meantime, I need a Padres/Brewers NLCS with one of them taking on the Rays to secure another first-time World Series winner.
The response from Phil Hay of The Athletic FC:
Sorry, buddy. You will be disappointed.
Jason Mowry and Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images
Watch and play
CFB: Rutgers vs. Kansas State
5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN
This is the âRate Bowlâ and it takes place between two teams on different paths. Going into the season, we thought the Wildcats were playoff contenders. Rutgers has had a nice year and the trend is upward. Again, I want unexpected chaos.
NFL: Seahawks at Bears
8:15 p.m. ET on Prime Video
Seattle needs wins in its final two games to make the postseason. Chicago just wants a win to salvage some joy from a miserable year. Good football comes from desperation.
Get tickets for games Here.
Try todayâs Connections: Sports Edition beta.
Pulse picks
The NHL trade deadline is still months away, but the talk â and the action â continues nonetheless. Pierre LeBrun and Chris Johnston have predicted where the sportâs biggest trade targets will end up after March 7th.
Warrior forward Andrew Wiggins spoke about how he came out of the âfogâ as he struggled with his fatherâs deteriorating health and death earlier this year. Some things are bigger than basketball.
And another one from Marcus Thompson II: An Ode to Rickey Hendersonwho was not ashamed of his brilliance. Donât miss it.
The dollarbasking in the post-NBA Cup glory look like a whole new team, as Eric Nehm writes. They could be my pick in the Eastern Conference right now.
Most clicked on in the newsletter yesterday: Nick Baumgardnerâs latest top 10 mock draft.
Most read on the site yesterday: Our live blog from the Chiefsâ win over the Steelers.
(Top photo: Barry Reeger / Imagn Images)
