A Coincidental Relationship
While college football usually takes the spotlight during the New Year holiday with its bowl season, New Year’s Day or New Year’s Eve have had a lesser association with the NFL. Historically, most NFL games on these days have been played on Sundays, although there have been a few exceptions. The connection between the NFL and the New Year started in 1961 when the first championship game was played on New Year’s Eve.
Jan. 1, 1967: The Gateway to Super Bowl I
A significant moment in NFL history occurred on Jan. 1, 1967. The Green Bay Packers and the Dallas Cowboys faced off in a playoff game that day. The Packers emerged victorious, securing their spot in the inaugural Super Bowl. On Jan. 15, 1967, the Packers would go on to defeat the Kansas City Chiefs in Super Bowl I.
Dec. 31, 1967: The Infamous Ice Bowl
On Sunday, Dec. 31, 1967, the Green Bay Packers won their third consecutive NFL championship by defeating the Dallas Cowboys. This iconic game, known as “The Ice Bowl,” earned its name due to the frigid conditions at Lambeau Field in Green Bay. The temperature plummeted to 13 degrees below zero, but that didn’t deter over 50,000 loyal fans from showing up to support their team. The Packers went on to win Super Bowl II on Jan. 14, 1968, against the Oakland Raiders.
Dec. 31, 1978: New Year’s Eve Divisional Games
The year 1978 saw the NFL hosting two divisional playoff games on New Year’s Eve. The Houston Oilers triumphed over the Miami Dolphins with a score of 31-14, while the Los Angeles Rams dominated the Minnesota Vikings, winning 34-10.
Dec. 31, 1983 and Jan. 1, 1984: A Weekend of Doubleheaders
In 1983, NFL fans were treated to an exciting weekend with four playoff games spanning New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. The Seattle Seahawks secured a victory over the Miami Dolphins, and the San Francisco 49ers narrowly defeated the Detroit Lions. The next day, the Washington Redskins dominated the Los Angeles Rams, and the Los Angeles Raiders triumphed over the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Las Vegas Raiders would later clinch the Super Bowl trophy on Jan. 22, 1984.
Dec. 31, 1989: Wild-Card Games
On Sunday, Dec. 31, 1989, two wild-card games took place. The Los Angeles Rams faced the Philadelphia Eagles, with the Rams emerging victorious with a 21-7 score. In the second game, the Pittsburgh Steelers secured a narrow 26-23 win against the Houston Oilers.
Dec. 31, 1990: ‘Monday Night Football’
The final regular-season game of the 1990 season on “Monday Night Football” saw the Chicago Bears triumph over the Los Angeles Rams with a close 20-17 victory.
Dec. 31, 2005 and Jan. 1, 2006: Football Surprise
In a surprising turn of events during the 2005 season, fans were treated to two days of football, including a full schedule on New Year’s Day. On Dec. 31, two regular-season games were played, followed by 14 regular-season games on Jan. 1, 2006, just before the playoffs commenced.
In Recent Years
In more recent years, the NFL has continued to include games on New Year’s Day, with notable occurrences during the 2016 and 2022 seasons. Additionally, New Year’s Eve games took place in 2017 and are scheduled for 2023. On Sunday, Dec. 31, 2023, a full slate of NFL football is set to take place.