Ranking 5 greatest NFL Christmas games of all time ft. 2016 Steelers-Ravens

Christmas should be a time of celebration and rest for most people. But even though this year's edition of the event falls on Wednesday, which is traditionally a rest day, certain teams aren't getting that privilege, as they are playing crucial games that can determine their playoff seeding.

Before Wednesday's monstrous Netflix doubleheader kicks off at 1 p.m. ET, here are some of the best holiday games ever.

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#5 2006 Jets vs. Dolphins

The 2006 season boasted one of the closest Wild card races in recent times, with four teams at 8-6 and three at 7-7.

The New York Jets were one of the 8-6 teams, traveling to the Miami Dolphins in what turned out to be a very wet, low-scoring game. After the first half ended dry in terms of points, both teams scored 10 points each.

Then Leon Washington exploded for a 64-yard catch off a screen pass, allowing Mike Nugent to hit the winner at 13-10 with 10 seconds left.

#4 2004 Chiefs vs. Raiders

No-bearing games are usually hard to watch since they involve no-hopers. Howerver, there have been a few exceptions. This is one of them.

Everyone today knows the Kansas City Chiefs as the overlords of the league, but before that they were the textbook definition of "mid": not bad enough to miss the playoffs, but not good enough to win a Super Bowl. In 2004, they were among the unlucky ones.

That did not stop them and the similarly-eliminated Oakland Raders from delivering a classisc defined initially by offensive outbursts (including futire Hall-of-Famer Tony Gonzalez destroying secondaries en route to 124 yards and two touchdowns), then special teams heroics that culminated in Lawrence Tynes finally hitting a field goal in the clutch after two misses for the 31-30 win.

#3 2010 Cowboys-Cardinals

Another of those inconsequential classics where each team will do anything to bow out with smiles on their faces.

This game seemed done when the Arizona Cardinals immediately exploded for a 21-3 lead. But the Dallas Cowboys staged a furious comeback to take a 26-24 lead off a Miles Austin touchdown.

David Buehler missed the extra point, which proved costly - on the next drive, future commentator Jay Feelo hit a 48 yarder for the 27-26 win.

#2 1971 Dolphins-Chiefs

The longest game in NFL history, at 82 minutes and 40 seconds. Two overtime periods. Divisional Round. Two all-time great teams meeting each other.

Garo Yepremian's 37-yarder proved the difference in the Miami Dolphins' 27-24 win, their first in the postseason and one that sparked a dominant period of Super Bowl success.

Meanwhile, Jan Stenerud's 29-yard miss, wound up beginning the downfall of the Chiefs, who had won Super Bowl IV, as coach Hank Stram blamed the player than admitting botching the strategy.

#1 2016 Steelers-Ravens

The Baltimore Ravens and Pittsburgh Steelers are among the four teams who will play on Christmas day. Eight years ago, the two teams combined to deliver the greatest holiday spectacle in league history.

The AFC North was on the line. The Steelers were ahead at 9-5, but the 8-6 Ravens were dangerously lurking. Initially, the game played out as expected slow, defense-oriented, before an offensive explosion.

Running backs Le'Veon Bell and Kyle Juszczyk scored three touchdowns combined before Antonio Brown took the crown for the Black and Gold by stretching his arm and the ball past the goal line with nine seconds left for a 31-27 win.