Admin December 25, 2024
NFL Week 17 picks: Why you should consider Lions, Panthers and Colts
Lorenzo Reyes is back with his three best bets ahead of Week 17 games. Find out why he likes the Lions, Panthers and Colts to cover the spread.
A franchise of NFL past and one of NFL present meet in a battle for NFL future on Christmas Day.
The Pittsburgh Steelers are one of the most decorated teams in NFL history. With six Lombardis in the trophy case, it’s impossible to tell the story of the league without including Pittsburgh. Still, it’s been nearly 15 years since Mike Tomlin’s squad was able to capture another Lombardi trophy and raise a banner in the “Steel City.”
This season, though, the Steelers are exorcising ghosts of seasons past. With a new-look offense featuring Russell Wilson under center, Pittsburgh is in a battle for the AFC North. If they keep pace and win the division, it’ll be their first AFC North crown since 2020; their current drought matches the longest they’ve had since NFL division realignment in 2002.
They face the monster of the NFL’s present, however, on Christmas. The Chiefs own the NFL’s best record and are in the hunt to secure the No. 1 seed in the conference. Kansas City recently re-added Hollywood Brown to its receiving ranks, giving Patrick Mahomes another weapon to utilize as the Chiefs gear up for a threepeat.
It’s a gift of a game on Christmas Day. USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights and more from the Steelers-Chiefs Christmas game below. All times are Eastern.
Eight plays, 42 yards and 3:59 later and the Chiefs are dancing in the end zone. Patrick Mahomes finds Xavier Worthy for the 7-yard touchdown out of the backfield. However, Harrison Butker pushes a 48-yard extra point wide right after Worthy committed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty following the score. Guess you can say Worthy is worthy of a spot on the naughty list. Chiefs 6, Steelers 0
If you were wondering what the NFL on Netflix would look like, wonder no more. The streamer has debuted a fancy scorebug for the big occasion.
Pittsburgh didn’t get the start it was hoping for, with a quick punt less than two minutes into the game. The Steelers flirted with disaster, but Russell Wilson was able to recover a fumble before it got out of control. However, Nikko Remigio came up with a big return, resulting in just a nine yard net on the punt.
Steelers vs. Chiefs start time
- Start time: 1 p.m. ET (Noon CT)
The Steelers vs. Chiefs Christmas matchup will kick off at 1 p.m. ET, noon CT.
Steelers vs. Chiefs TV channel, live stream
- Live stream: Netflix
- TV channel (local):
The Steelers-Chiefs Christmas Day matchup will air exclusively on Netflix for a national audience. For viewers in local markets, the game will air on CBS. In Kansas City, that’s KCTV5, while fans in Pittsburgh should tune in to KDKA-TV.
Steelers vs. Chiefs predictions, picks
Who will find a lump of coal in their stocking? Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff feels about the Steelers-Chiefs tilt on Christmas:
- Lorenzo Reyes: Chiefs 25, Steelers 17
- Tyler Dragon: Chiefs 25, Steelers 20
- Richard Morin: Chiefs 25, Steelers 23
- Jordan Mendoza: Chiefs 20, Steelers 17
For Christmas Day viewers looking to watch the Steelers-Chiefs game, you can turn to Netflix. Netflix is the exclusive home of both Christmas Day games.
The Chiefs are favorites to defeat the Steelers, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Not interested in this game? Check out expert picks and best bets for every NFL game this week.
- Spread: Chiefs (-3)
- Moneyline: Chiefs (-160); Steelers (+135)
- Over/under: 43.5
The Steelers and Chiefs clash in Acrisure Stadium (formerly Heinz Field) in Pittsburgh, Pa. on Christmas.
- Chamarri Conner, DB
- Joshua Uche, DE
- C.J. Hanson, OL
- D.J. Humphries, OL
- Ethan Driskell, OT
- Malik Herring, DE
- Chris Jones, DT
- Justin Fields, QB
- Ben Skowronek, WR
- Joey Porter Jr., CB
- Preston Smith, DE
- Dean Lowry, DE
The Kansas City Chiefs started Christmas Day with a lump of coal, as defensive tackle Chris Jones will miss Wednesday’s game against the Pittsburgh Steelers with a calf injury.
Jones left Saturday’s victory against the Houston Texans in the fourth quarter and didn’t return. He was listed as “DNP” in a practice participation estimate for Sunday and did not practice Monday; Chiefs head coach Andy Reid seemed discouraged about Jones’ chances of playing when asked two hours before kickoff. — Chris Bumbaca
Fans hoping to see Mother Nature get involved on Wednesday may be in a little bit of luck. Temperatures around kickoff should hover around freezing and there’s a slight chance of precipitation (10%).
Mahomes suffered an ankle injury late in the fourth quarter of the Chiefs’ win over the Browns. He tried to move around the pocket while attempting a pass on a fourth-and-3, but his protection collapsed in on him.
Mahomes was able to get up eventually but slowly hobbled to the sideline. He had his right ankle heavily taped on the bench and was ruled “questionable” to return. Backup quarterback Carson Wentz played the final five minutes of the game in his stead.
Mahomes didn’t miss any time. He played in the Week 16 matchup vs. the Texans and looked just fine.
Looking to make the Steelers-Chiefs matchup more interesting? Here are some of the best bets:
- Xavier Worthy OVER 4.5 receptions;
- Samaje Perine OVER 9.5 receiving yards;
- Travis Kelce anytime TD.