Spanning from the heartland of Kansas City to the spirited city of Buffalo, the Hallmark Channel’s collaboration with the NFL for the Holiday Touchdown film series is a testament to the fervor shared by both football and festive fans. This synergy is perfectly captured in the upcoming movie, Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story, starring Holland Roden.

Reflecting on the unique enthusiasm of Buffalo’s fan base, often affectionately called the Bills Mafia, Roden shared her admiration in an interview with DECIDER. “In my humble opinion, no one can top Bills Mafia,” she remarked with a smile. “Their dedication is unmatched—who else jumps through tables, eats pizza out of filing cabinets, and braves the chill of negative 20-degree weather? Yet, the passion for Hallmark and the holidays draws a similarly devoted crowd. The overlap between these two passionate groups has been the greatest delight of this project.”

Roden’s co-star, Matthew Daddario, also weighed in on the crossover appeal, suggesting that football fans might find unexpected enjoyment in Hallmark’s offerings. “I think there are many who haven’t yet discovered the charm of Hallmark,” he noted. “Movies like this could be the gateway for them. And who knows, maybe some viewers who aren’t into football yet will see its appeal when it’s woven into the holiday spirit. After all, Hallmark epitomizes the holidays, and for some, the NFL is part of that tradition too. Why not enjoy both?”

This year’s installment, much like 2024’s Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story, includes appearances from several Buffalo Bills stars, both past and present. As Roden revealed, these athletes showcased their own talents on set, evolving into “improv kings” by the time filming wrapped up.

Just like 2024’s Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story, this year’s Buffalo Bills iteration features cameos from a slew of the team’s stars, both past and present, who as Roden told us, became “improv kings” by the end of filming.

The Teen Wolf and Shadowhunters alums visited DECIDER’s studio to discuss how their background in “supernatural worlds” helped them bond on set, which NFL team they think should be featured in another Holiday Touchdown movie, and whether ranch or blue cheese is the best dipping sauce for wings. Check out our conversation below.

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DECIDER: Holland, I saw on your Instagram that this movie was made in 17 days, which was crazy. Can you take me through how you guys were able to do this? Did it involve a lot of prep time?

HOLLAND RODEN: We don’t get a ton of prep time. No, usually with a script, you’re memorizing anywhere from 95 to 110 pages, and I think our characters are on most of those pages [laughs].  So it’s just the job. It’s fun to be in high-pressure situations, for me, at least. And you know, Matt made it easy.

MATTHEW DADDARIO: You rely on the other actor and everybody else, all the other actors, to do a good job. But really, a lot of the prep work is already done by all the crew. All the people behind the scenes—well, not so behind the scenes when we’re there—but they all do all that work so that when we get there, we can just focus on our simple task. And as long as you’ve got the right people around who are putting in the effort, and you see everybody else’s effort, it’s not so tough.

Something I love about this movie is its kind of girl next door, friends to lovers plot, which is a shift from the meet-cute of some of these movies. Had you two met before making this film? Because you didn’t have as much time to jump into that chemistry.

HR: We were actually best friends for life.

MD: Yeah, we’ve been friends since childhood. No, no.

HR: We met on the first day of filming.

MD: How had we never met? Considering…

HR: We do have somewhat of mutual friends-ish. You’ve been on the East Coast, I was on the West Coast. That’s part of that, too.

MD: We had not known each other, but honestly, credit to Holland, very easy to work with.

HR: Likewise.

MD: It was easy from day one.

HR: We both come from supernatural worlds, so we were on a similar path for many years.

MD: Teen Wolf, Shadowhunters.

HR: So we had a lot of similar experiences from those shows.

MD: That we could bond over.

The movie is super timely, kind of blending fact and fiction, particularly through your character Matthew, who’s the VP of Stadium Development.

MD: That’s right. The VP of Stadium Development.

What a title!

HR: You are never going to forget that job title, ever.

MD: I just love it. It’s just so specific and accurate. VP of Stadium Development. No nonsense, no filler words. It’s what I am. It was great. It’s a great job.

With the new Highmark stadium being built right now, did you have a chance to meet with anyone who’s actually working on the current project?

MD: Let me tell you.

HR: Wouldn’t you know?

MD: So I met the real VP of Stadium Development, who is much better at being VP of Stadium Development. But let me tell you, it’s probably one of the most romantic of the jobs because it’s about the future. It’s looking forward to the new Highmark Stadium, which by the way, looks incredible. It’s an incredible structure and I’m really looking forward to them getting to play there. I met a lot of people. We actually filmed an entire scene while they were working. I was unaware that they were working, but we filmed in their offices. That was very cool. And they just kept on working because they are very good employees. They’re really interested in their project.

Will you both be at the stadium in 2026? Are you planning a visit?

HR: I hope to! It’s nice that art imitated life in this circumstance and life imitated art. But they opened their arms like we’re their family, essentially, to the old Highmark Stadium. So getting to shoot in different parts of the stadium—I won’t give too much away of which parts of the stadium we were shooting in—but it was a lot of fun and kind of a pinch-me moment. So if I even get to step foot in the 2026 stadium, it’ll be bittersweet because I feel like the old one is our home. But the new one’s going to have a lot better wind direction [laughs]. The old one can get pretty nippy. And the new one will have a snow melting machine, which is a funny little tidbit that—again, there’s a lot of Easter eggs that are art imitating life in this movie. We talk about: how do they melt the snow in the old stadium vs. the new stadium?

MD: In the old, do you know what they do? They put out a call…

HR: Shovel.

MD: … people from around the city come, and they shovel out the snow.

HR: Volunteers around Buffalo.

MD: That’s awesome. That’s really cool.

HR: There’s no official snow-shoveling crew. It’s literally the fans. The Bills Mafia show up to shovel, which is pretty unique.

You both share scenes in this movie with several Bills icons, including Damar Hamlin, Dawson Knox, and Coach Sean McDermott. Did you get the chance to give them any acting tips? How’d you talk them through their scenes?

MD: You don’t want to give the tips immediately, but they did ask for some. But once they got warmed up, they did an excellent job. I was very impressed by all the people you mentioned. Sean McDermott did a really great job. I think he spent a lot of time memorizing his lines, a lot of time practicing. Otherwise, he’s got a brilliant mind.

HR: Well, Dion Dawkins is a walking hug, as I call him. He’s pure joy. And Ray Davis I kept forgetting is a football player. Damar Hamlin has a fun story where he sat down in the make-up trailer. I asked him if he had acting experience and he said, “Yeah, fourth-grade Peter Pan.” I was like, perfect, gotchu, yes. So I still want that footage, personally. But yeah, the boys were more than team players. They may be a little nervous at the beginning, but I think they all had a lot more fun than they thought they would. So by the end, it was almost so rowdy that Dustin [Rikert], our director was like, “Ok, settle, settle, settle.” But they were little improv kings by the end of the scene.

MD: Good energy, for sure.

HR: Amazing energy.

One Bills star that does not make an appearance in the film is Josh Allen. Have you heard anything from him at all, or do you think he’ll tune in to watch?

HR: I have no idea.

MD: I mean, he did call us to tell us that he’s tuning in to watch, for sure, on Saturday. And he said that if any Bills fan doesn’t tune in, then they’re not true Bills fans.

HR: He wrote you a handwritten letter [laughs].

MD: That’s what he said. That’s what he said. In no unclear terms. So yes, Josh Allen has confirmed that he will be watching on Saturday with the entire team.

HR: Heard it here first [laughs]. I’m just glad that Josh Allen seems to really love Buffalo and appreciates the love that the [Bills] Mafia gives him.

MD: Obviously. He’s getting everybody together to watch on Saturday. He’s throwing a whole party at his house. There’s 4,000 people coming.

This is the second Holiday Touchdown movie following last year’s Holiday Touchdown: A Chief’s Love Story. What do you think it is about this collaboration between Hallmark and the NFL that makes it so special?

HR: First of all, just the passion when you have something in common amongst a group of people. I think no one’s going to surpass Bills Mafia, in my humble opinion. I don’t see anyone else jumping through some tables or eating pizza out of filing cabinets and dressing up in negative 20 weather. But I do think that just the passion for the holidays and Hallmark has a pretty loyal following. So to see that crossover in the Venn diagram that love both, that’s been my biggest joy in this experience.

MD: A lot of people watch football, a lot of people watch the NFL, a lot of people watch Hallmark. I think that people who like the NFL would also like Hallmark. I think they just don’t know it yet. They haven’t taken the time to watch it and I think that a movie like this brings some of those people over. And I’m sure there are many people who weren’t really into football yet, but maybe realize it’s also part of the holiday season. Why not? I mean, Hallmark is the holidays. There’s no way around that, but the NFL is a little bit too for some people. Cross over. Watch both. You watch Hallmark, make the other person in your family watch the NFL. Those of you watch the NFL…

HR: Give and take.

MD: … come on. Come on over. Come visit. Come see how it feels. It’s going to be great, because it’s all about joy. It’s fun.

What is the team you think should be spotlighted next if they make another Holiday Touchdown movie?

HR: I’m biased because I’m from Dallas. I say I’m not a football fan, but I am a Bills fan, and that’s very real. I’ve been following their season. I will continue to follow their seasons, and at least try to make a game a season is my goal. But I grew up in Troy Aikman and Deion Sanders, and the 1990s Cowboys era and the cheerleaders, of course, so I would hope to see the Cowboys at some point. I think they would appreciate that.

MD: Indianapolis Colts. I went to IU. Great place. Indianapolis? Cool city. Things are going great there. They should check it out. That’s a loving Christmas vibe going on there. And also because their current QB came from the Giants, or my favorite team. And, you know, when people make bad decisions and get rid of certain players, I’d like to see a little twist. A little twist  in there. So I think Indianapolis.

This movie was shot throughout Buffalo at a lot of iconic spots like Bar Bill. So I have to ask: ranch or blue cheese when it comes to wings?

HR: I like both, but I’m ultimately a ranch girl.

MD: Blue cheese. I’m all about the blue cheese. We differ on this.

HR: But I’m more of a boss with the sauce, which I’ve learned is butter and Frank’s [RedHot Original Cayenne Pepper Sauce]. 50% butter and 50% Frank’s. The sauce is so good.

MD: Yeah, the sauce is what matters the most. But if you’re gonna have the little accoutrement, bring them both out. But I’m dipping in blue cheese first.

HR: I didn’t even dip it, really. I’m not a big dipper.

MD: We weren’t dipping it this time.

HR: Because the sauce is so good.

MD: Bar Bill has such good wings…

HR: Incredible. It’s my favorite.

MD: … that you don’t even think about it.

HR: Dustin our director’s place was Gabriel’s Gate, for those who are frequenting Buffalo. But for us, Bar Bill.

MD: Gabriel’s Gate, but also Bar Bill.

HR: *whispers* Not Anchor [Bar]. Not usually. We’ll be a little controversial on this. But Bar Bill.

Matthew, you and your Shadowhunters co-star Dominic Sherwood are both starring in Hallmark Christmas movies this season.

MD: I just learned this. I was at the [Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story] premiere. They ran some ads ahead of time, and they showed his face there. And I’m like, Oh, what is this ugly mug doing up there? And I text him, and I say, “Hey, you did a Hallmark movie. I just saw your face on the screen here.” And he goes, “Yeah, I’ve told you that like 10 times,” and I just didn’t remember.

HR: Matthew!

MD: I just didn’t remember. And so I’m admitting this here because I know that he’s gonna call me out if I lie about it and say, Oh yeah, I totally knew. So yes, he is also doing a Christmas movie [A Suite Holiday Romance], and honestly, it looks delightful. He really looks the part. You know, it’s a good looking dude. He’s got charm, charisma off the charts. Dom Sherwood.

I was gonna say have you been in touch, but you nailed that.

MD: Oh yeah, we’re always in touch.

Holland, I do have to ask about Teen Wolf. Tyler Posey, your co star, said earlier this year that he had written a second Teen Wolf movie script, and would love to get the gang back together for some sort of project. Would you be willing to come back?

HR: I know about this. Most of us keep in touch. Colton Haynes is actually here with me in New York, which is fun. But yeah, I would always want to. It’s like coming home. You were raised there and released out into the world at the ripe old age of 31 when we were done filming. But yeah I absolutely would love to be involved.

MD: If the people want it, give the people what they want. Easy.

In the spirit of this movie, what is your favorite Christmas movie?

HR: I’m a Home Alone girl. I love the cheese pizza. I love the ice cream sundae he makes. I love Buzz. I love Fuller [Kieran Culkin], who then grew up to be on my favorite show, Succession. So I would say Home Alone, for me.

MD:  I’m just gonna go with the one that I associate most with Christmas as a kid, which is A Christmas Story. “You’ll shoot your eye out, kid,” that whole one.

HR: I’ve never seen it. Isn’t that crazy?

MD: What? How? It’s all they run on TV.

HR: Because I’m always watching Home Alone!

MD: Oh ok. Well, there’s many hours in a day!

HR: Elf, I also follow the diet of Will Ferrell. I eat a lot of candy. So I’ve always imagined myself in that world.

With Thanksgiving coming up, what are you two thankful for this year?

HR: Oh my gosh! So much. I will start with my family’s health and my 15-and-a-half-year-old baby (dog), Fievel. She just had her canin-ceanera. I’m very grateful she’s here this year.

MD: When someone asks you what you’re thankful for, you have to give a sincere answer. I gotta say my kids, my family—

HR: Josh Allen’s viewing party?

MD: Josh Allen’s viewing party on Saturday. This is going to be a great year. December’s looking beautiful. It’s a joyous time. We get to go to the next month. Socialize, have a good time, go have a party. Go eat some cake.

HR: Go skiing.

MD: Go skiing. Go sledding. Go walk a dog. Go look at a dog. Go outside. Have a great time.

HR: Adopt a dog.

MD: It’s the holidays! Do something you love to do and demand that other people do it too.

Buffalo is known as the City of Good Neighbors and this movie was not only shot in Buffalo, but also shot with extras who were locals. Were there any specific moments of experiencing good neighbors or that nice vibe that you experienced on set every day?

MD: Every day.

HR: I was going to say, there wasn’t a moment where we didn’t have that.

MD: In Buffalo, it was every day. Everybody who came in, all the extras who came in, people who volunteered to come out, several thousand of them.

HR: I think 8,000 applied for a 3,000[-person] position. They dressed to the nines, more often than not, homemade outfits with these furry hats and onesies.

MD: Full enthusiasm and every time we’ve been back, it’s been nothing but support and enthusiasm, and honestly that’s the best thing in the world.

HR: It is the city of good neighbors, but it’s also the city of no traffic. So if you’re looking to get out of New York and get some space, it’s a beautiful place to be.

MD: Space, speed in a car, some good people, and some good food? Go to Buffalo.

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This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Holiday Touchdown: A Bills Love Story premieres tonight at 8 p.m. ET/PT on Hallmark Channel, with next-day streaming on Hallmark+.