The NFL is set to kick off the Christmas Day game slate on an unusual Wednesday as they begin a new partnership with streaming giant Netflix. Two box-office matchups between the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers, and the Houston Texans and the Baltimore Ravens will headline the action.
Additionally, a special halftime show which see the return of Beyoncé to the NFL stage, while Voice of Service and Pentatonix will sing the national anthem for the two games. With the spectacle being such a massive event for Netflix and the NFL, many are wondering if Beyoncé’s halftime show will receive the same treatment as the Super Bowl halftime shows.
How Long Is the NFL Halftime Show on Christmas?
How much Beyoncé is too much Beyoncé?
Well, that might depend on who you ask. However, if we look at what we can expect during Netflix’s halftime show, the answer is likely between 12 and 14 minutes.
That’s how long your typical NFL halftime is. Will Netflix’s halftime be the same length? That has yet to be confirmed.
After Beyoncé announced her performance, TMZ reported the NFL would give her a 20-minute halftime window. However, the music icon’s publicist, Yvette Noel-Schure, pushed back, saying that was “untrue” and that Queen B’s performance “will not be 20 minutes.”
Twenty minutes is usually the amount of time given to Super Bowl halftime performers, so it makes sense to assume that Beyoncé would potentially have that length. However, this is not the Super Bowl.
Yes, it’s a big event taking place on Christmas, but it’s still just a Week 17 regular-season game.
So, who is right? We don’t quite know, but the truth is probably somewhere in the middle.
Both statements could be true: the NFL could allocate 20 minutes total for halftime, but that timeframe includes setting up and dismantling the stage, as well as giving players time to warm up before the second half.
Beyoncé’s actual performance would likely occupy the majority of the extended halftime. I would currently set the over/under at 10 minutes of Beyoncé magic.
Houston Texans vs. Baltimore Ravens Preview
- Location: Houston, NRG Stadium
- Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
- Streaming: Netflix
- Channel: Local CBS affiliate (Houston, Baltimore markets ONLY)
The Ravens fell from the top spot in Pro Football Network’s power rankings this week after recording a 79.4 (C+) grade in our OFF+ metric in Week 16. That speaks more to what the Detroit Lions did to earn back the top spot, though. Baltimore’s grade was its best against the Steelers in a game since Offense+ began in 2019.
The Ravens’ passing success rate jumped up from a season-worst 34.3% in the first Steelers matchup to 56.0% in the rematch, their fifth-best in a game all season. Lamar Jackson actually had just one explosive play (a 49-yard completion to Zay Flowers), his fewest in a game this year.
However, the Derrick Henry-led offense managed to record an above-average rushing success rate (44.7%), allowing the Ravens to stay ahead of the chains.
Even with the Diontae Johnson situation fizzling out, Baltimore looks like a team that is rounding into form with an improving defense and an offense that can control any given game in multiple fashions. Regardless of whether that results in a division title, it makes the Ravens a very dangerous team to face in the playoffs.