NEVER-TAKEN ever before decisions? Yeah, sign up the NFL. The biggest one coming up is the Netflix’s big Christmas collab. A Christmas Day game opener? With streaming? Bold move, Roger Goodell. But judging by the fan chatter, it seems like most of us are sitting on the “meh” bench for this one.

But here’s a move that’s got everyone buzzing: Beyoncé at halftime. Yes, Beyoncé. During the Texans–Ravens game (3:30 p.m. ET), Queen Bey will take the stage, and here’s the kicker—she’s getting a longer halftime show. Not quite Super Bowl length, but a solid 20 minutes to belt out hits, including tracks from her new project Cowboy Carter.

Now, before you start debating halftime logistics, let’s pivot to Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs and Steelers game (1 p.m. ET) is bringing its own dose of holiday magic. Mariah Carey, a.k.a. the undisputed Queen of Christmas, will serenade us with “All I Want for Christmas Is You” before kickoff.

Here’s the kicker—this game is just the opening act…and the performance. But the talking point is the Beyonce’s performance later on. You see, why we wrote that it is a never-taken before decision is because normally, halftimes run about 12–15 minutes. Even Super Bowl ones max out at 25. So, that makes Queen Bey’s 20-minute slot in a regular season game a bit more hyped up.

Now, I know what you’re thinking: Why the special treatment? Well, let’s be real, if anyone can make the NFL tweak its tradition, it’s her. But it does make you wonder—will the extended show throw off the players’ rhyhm? Halftime adjustments are a real thing, and this twist could add another layer to the game.

However, we shouldn’t let this divert our attention from the main problem, that is: NETFLIX streams. I mean, after the Jake Paul vs. Mike Tyson debacle, they’ve got a lot riding on this Christmas opener. Streaming two NFL games on the same day? That’s a whole new ballgame. But they think they can pull it.

Can Netflix build a good rapport with the NFL fanatics?

Well, well, well… Obviously with just days left they won’t go ahead and say: ‘Hey, we can’t do it.’ But the blueprint was supposed to be the Paul vs. Iron Mike broadcast and it turned to be a fiasco. Now, they are dealing with some heavyweight matchups. The Chiefs vs. the Steelers, followed by the Texans vs. the Ravens. Buffering issues in any of these games? Yeah, you can bet they are going to lose audience in general. That’s not a good look.

But the NFL seems confident. Hans Schroeder, NFL’s EVP of Media Distribution, gave Netflix a solid vote of confidence. “The core of it is how the game is going to be produced. They’re going to be produced by CBS,” he explained. That’s a big deal—CBS knows their stuff. If you trust anyone to run a tight production ship, it’s them. Plus, Netflix is pulling out all the stops with AI-powered tools and a real-time monitoring team to keep things smooth. No Hail Marys here; they’re all about meticulous game planning.

Here’s where it gets spicy: Netflix is rolling out some snazzy features to enhance your game day experience. Think interactive stats, 4K visuals, and exclusive commentary. It’s their way of saying, “We’re not just streaming; we’re reimagining.” But let’s be real—fans care about one thing: no glitches. If the stream freezes mid-Mahomes touchdown, well, that’s a flag nobody wants to throw.

This isn’t just another game day for Netflix. It’s a proving ground. Screw this up, and they might fumble their shot at future live sports deals. But nail it? They’ll enter a league of their own, ready to compete with heavyweights like Amazon Prime and ESPN+.