Did the NFL ever played on New Year's Day?
The NFL only plays games on New Year's Day when it falls on
Sunday. Otherwise it defers to the numerous New Year's Day college
football bowl games that are traditionally held on that day.
However, when New Year's Day falls on a Sunday, the traditional
bowl games are moved to Monday, January 2 (which becomes a Federal
holiday), allowing NFL games to be played on the 1st. Football
nirvana!