After the Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce-inspired Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story last year, the Hallmark Channel is back with Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story.

The Quinns and DeLucas have spent decades as next-door neighbors in the shadow of Highmark Stadium, bonded by their shared love of the Buffalo Bills and long-standing Bills Mafia traditions. Their biggest ritual is the final home game before Xmas, which both families treat like a holiday centerpiece. Pediatric doctor Morgan Quinn (Holland Roden) and the Bills’ VP of Stadium Development, Gabe DeLuca (Matthew Daddario), have been best friends since childhood—though Gabe’s not-so-secret crush is obvious to everyone, including Morgan’s mother Joanne (Tracy Pollan), sister Cathy (Patti Murin), and Gabe’s parents Ricki (Caroline Aaron) and Frank (Steve Schirripa).

When Morgan learns from her Uncle Tommy (Joe Pantoliano) that an anonymous benefactor helped their family after he was drafted more than sixty years ago—and still sends a yearly Xmas gift—she becomes determined to uncover the gifter. Teaming up with Gabe and their Bills Mafia friends, she sets out to solve the mystery, even as unspoken feelings simmer between the longtime friends. When Morgan’s plan to surprise Uncle Tommy falls apart, Gabe steps up, using his Bills connections to deliver a heartfelt gesture that brings both families together for a truly unforgettable Xmas.

In addition to Santa Claus (Abraham Benrubi), Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story features very brief cameo appearances from last year’s couple, Alana Higman (Hunter King) and Derrick Taylor (Tyler Hynes). Much like last year, a number of Buffalo Bills players, coaches, and staff make cameos. Unsurprisingly, many of them immediately pick up on Gabe and Morgan’s connection. The problem is that every time Gabe works up the nerve to say something, fate throws an obstacle in his way.

Screenwriters Vanessa Marano and Danielle Morrow have clearly done their homework. Even though Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story must hit the required Hallmark Channel beats and tropes, Buffalo Bills fans should feel the film treats their city and fanbase with genuine affection. I’m obviously not as invested in the NFL as I was more than a decade ago because of things like CTE, but Hallmark has tapped into a niche that now feels like an annual franchise. There are 32 NFL teams—at this pace, it’ll take three more decades to highlight each fanbase. Whereas last year’s couple met by chance, this year’s pairing comes from a lifetime of history.

Because the Buffalo Bills are moving into New Highmark Stadium at the start of the 2026 season, Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story also works as a time capsule. The Bills are currently in the NFL playoff hunt so fans may have some extra time to make more memories at Highmark Stadium before having to say goodbye. While they obviously had their pick of any NFL city, they were wise to pick Buffalo before for this reason.

What I didn’t expect while watching Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story was to get teary-eyed. This had less to do with Morgan and Gabe’s particular storyline in as much as it has do with Tommy’s storyline, which gives the film a surprising emotional lift. Last year’s plot revolved around a lucky hat worn at Kansas City Chiefs games for decades; this time, it’s a family member receiving a mysterious Xmas gift every year. There’s more to it, of course, but I’m not about to give it away.

Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story doesn’t break new ground—these films rarely do—but offers just enough for it to be a worthwhile watch for Buffalo Bills fans.

DIRECTOR: Dustin Rikert
SCREENWRITERS: Vanessa Marano and Danielle Morrow
CAST: Holland Roden, Matthew Daddario, Caroline Aaron, Steve Schirripa, Patti Murin, Patrick Mulvey, Eve Gordon, Abraham Benrubi, and Tracy Pollan, with Joe Pantoliano
CAMEOS: Coach Sean McDermott, Ray Davis, Damar Hamlin, Dion Dawkins, Dawson Knox, Reid Ferguson, DeWayne Carter, Joshua Palmer, Jim Kelly, Steve Tasker, Thurman Thomas, Scott Norwood, Andre Reed, Chris Brown, Luke Russert

Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story airs November 22, 2025 at 8:00 PM ET/PT on the Hallmark Channel and streaming next day on Hallmark+. Grade: 3.5/5

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