The Kansas City Chiefs clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC with a 29-10 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas.
Patrick Mahomes completed 29 of 38 passes for 320 yards and three touchdowns for the Chiefs. Kansas City’s 19-point margin of victory was their best of the season.
Russell Wilson, on the other hand, completed only 23 of 37 passes for 205 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.
The Chiefs dominated most of the action. Each of their first two possessions were long drives that resulted in touchdowns.
Meanwhile, the Steelers’ first two drives combined to pick up only one yard across eight plays. Kansas City raced out to a 13-0 lead before Pittsburgh finally got on board in the second quarter.
The teams traded field goals to start the second half before the Chiefs scored two straight touchdowns, one that was set up by a Pat Freiermuth fumble.
The win was a change of pace for Kansas City, which has often played in one-possession games this season. On Christmas, the Chiefs were never really threatened by a Steelers offense that couldn’t move the ball consistently through the air.
In addition to a lack of big plays passing, Wilson was also sacked five times. Pittsburgh did have some success rushing, however, gaining 202 yards on 31 carries.
At 15-1, Kansas City is guaranteed home field throughout the playoffs. The Chiefs will now have the option of resting key players in the final week of the season. Mahomes sprained his ankle in Week 16, while defensive tackle Chris Jones missed Wednesday’s game.
Kansas City’s next game is against the Denver Broncos.
The Steelers are now 10-6 after their three-game slide. Their final game of the season is against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Final: Chiefs 29, Steelers 10
That’s all for the first Christmas game of the day.
The Chiefs won 29-10, and won rather easily. The Steelers offense struggled all day while Kansas City was able to string together several long drives.
The Chiefs clinched the No. 1 seed in the AFC with the win, while Pittsburgh dropped its third straight game.
We’re in a fourth quarter punt contest now
The Chiefs followed up a Steelers’ three-and-out with one of their own. That’s the third straight punt here in the fourth.
Pittsburgh is back on offense with seemingly not a ton of urgency to score.
The Steelers just punted? What?
The Steelers just punted on 4th-and-2 despite trailing 29-10 in case you’re wondering how serious they are about trying to win this game.
The Chiefs are back on offense with under six minutes to go.
Chiefs punt after five plays
We’ve reached the “How long will it take the clock to run out?” stage of this game.
The Chiefs bled a couple minutes on their most recent drive before punting.
The Steelers are back on offense with a chance to pad their stats.
Steelers turn it over on downs
Russell Wilson threw incomplete down the left sideline to George Pickens on 4th-and-20, and the Steelers turned the ball over on downs after a nine-play drive. Bad showing by the Pittsburgh offense today.
The Chiefs take over with a 29-10 lead with 9:58 left in the fourth.
Touchdown, Chiefs!
Four plays after the Pat Freiermuth fumble, the Chiefs get in the end zone.
Patrick Mahomes found Travis Kelce for a 12-yard score to add to Kansas City’s lead.
The Chiefs are up 29-10 after the extra point, and things are looking dicey for the Steelers.
Fumble! Chiefs recover!
Bad to worse for the Steelers’ offense.
After Russell Wilson was sacked on second down, Pat Freiermuth tried to fight for more yards on a third-down reception, but he was stripped and the Chiefs recovered.
Kansas City took over on the Pittsburgh 34 with a 22-10 lead.
Touchdown, Chiefs!
On the first play of the fourth quarter, Kareem Hunt punched in a touchdown from two yards out to cap an 11-play, 77-yard drive.
Patrick Mahomes was intercepted in the end zone on a two-point attempt, so it’s now a 22-10 Kansas City lead.
End of third: Chiefs 16, Steelers 10
The Chiefs lead after three quarters, and will have a 1st-and-goal from the Pittsburgh 2-yard line when the fourth begins.
A big set of downs coming up when play resumes.
Steelers settle for three after long drive
Russell Wilson was sacked on 3rd-and-5 and the Steelers kicked a field goal after an 12-play, 52-yard drive.
Chris Boswell initially missed from 41 yards out, but an offside penalty gifted him five yards and another attempt, and he connected from 36.
It’s now a 16-10 Chiefs lead.
Chiefs get three to start second half
The Chiefs made it into the red zone on their first drive of the third quarter, but the drive stalled there and they settled for a field goal. Patrick Mahomes threw incomplete on 3rd-and-10 from the Pittsburgh 13, as Travis Kelce looked for a flag.
Harrison Butker drilled a 32-yard field goal and Kansas City now leads 16-7.
Halftime: Chiefs 13, Steelers 7
It’s a one-score game at halftime.
The Chiefs raced out to a 13-0 lead in the first quarter, but have been held scoreless on their last three drives.
The Steelers started slow with two punts and an interception, but they finally got on the board in the second quarter.
Kansas City will receive the opening kickoff when the third quarter begins.
Chiefs go three-and-out
On likely their last possession of the first half, the Chiefs went three-and-out, content to bleed clock.
The Steelers have 31 seconds to do something after a touchback on the punt.
This time, the Steelers actually punt
Three plays after a Chiefs penalty bailed them out, the Steelers punted for real this time. Russell Wilson threw incomplete down the left sideline on 3rd-and-9, as Mike Williams couldn’t come down with an acrobatic catch.
Kansas City takes over on its own 21 with a 13-7 lead and 1:01 left in the first half.
Steelers’ drive saved by penalty
The Steelers punted ... only to instead pick up a first down, thanks to a 12-men-on-the-field penalty by the Chiefs. The Pittsburgh drive will now continue near midfield.
The penalty bailed out some curious play-calling by the Steelers, who opted to run on 3rd-and-a-long-3 a play before the penalty.
Chiefs punt after holding on fourth down
The Chiefs appeared to pick up a 4th-and-1 but a holding penalty moved them back 10 yards. The flag was a double whammy — not only did Kansas City lose a first down, but the 10 yards also moved the team out of field goal range.
That’s a big stop for the Steelers, who will takeover after a touchback on the punt with a chance to take the lead.
Touchdown, Steelers!
The Steelers are finally on the board after an 11-play, 72-yard drive that ended with a Russell Wilson scramble and dive into the end zone.
That was by far Pittsburgh’s best possession of the game, but the Chiefs still lead 13-7.
Chiefs punt for the first time
No harm done after the Russell Wilson interception, as the Steelers defense held the Chiefs to a three-and-out and forced Kansas City’s first punt of the game.
A Patrick Mahomes pass was tipped up in the air on third down, but nobody on Pittsburgh could come up with the interception. Wilson and the offense instead take over on their own 28.
Russell Wilson is picked off!
Oh no!
One play after a Steelers touchdown was wiped out because of a holding penalty, Russell Wilson threw into triple coverage in the end zone and was picked off.
Justin Reid came up with the interception for the Chiefs, who will take over on their own 20 with a 13-0 lead.
Netflix promoting "Back in Action" during break
Netflix utilized the NFL game day audience by promoting some of its several of its upcoming projects. One spot included Cameron Diaz and Jamie Foxx promoting their movie “Back in Action,” which debuts in January on the streaming giant, while also talking about football.
Touchdown, Chiefs!
Two possessions, two touchdowns for the Chiefs.
This time, Kansas City went 79 yards in seven plays, including a Patrick Mahomes flip pass for a first down and a 49-yard deep shot to Justin Watson.
Watson also scored the touchdown on an 11-yard strike to the end zone.
The Chiefs now lead 13-0.
Steelers punt again
Not the cleanest start for the Steelers offense, as this time they punt after five plays. Pittsburgh’s second set of downs was set back after Russell Wilson was sacked on second down.
The Chiefs fumbled on the punt return, but recovered the ball so no harm was done. Kansas City will take over on its own 21 leading 6-0.
The Steelers have only 1 yard of offense through two drives.
Touchdown, Chiefs!
The Chiefs methodically went 35 yards in seven plays for a touchdown, with Xavier Worthy picking up the score on a seven-yard swing pass. Kansas City converted a fourth down on the drive to move into scoring position.
Harrison Butker missed the extra point after a penalty moved him back, so the Chiefs only lead 6-0.
Steelers first drive ends in fumble, then punt
Russell Wilson fumbled on 3rd down, recovering the ball but forcing a Steelers punt after only three plays.
The Chiefs returned the punt into Pittsburgh territory and are already driving toward field goal range.
Mariah Carey sings ahead of Netflix NFL
Mariah Carey opened the streaming giant’s Christmas game day broadcasts with a pre-recorded performance of “All I Want for Christmas Is You.”
The artist, who wore a bedazzled red festive outfit, is seen on a rooftop decked out with fake snow. As she sings, she’s joined by some VIPs from the North Pole (including Santa and some elves), as they dance around her. The segment included a montage of game clips and groups of people watching from home.
Christmas football is underway!
The Chiefs kicked off to the Steelers, and Pittsburgh’s first play from scrimmage was a seven-yard pass to Pat Freiermuth.
Chiefs star Chris Jones OUT vs. Steelers
The defensive lineman will not play against Pittsburgh due to a calf injury. He suffered it in the fourth quarter of Kansas City's win last week against Houston.
George Pickens officially ACTIVE
Big news for Pittsburgh: Star wide receiver George Pickens, who has been dealing with a hamstring injury, will play on Christmas against the Chiefs.
Pickens, the No. 1 wideout, has 55 receptions for 850 yards and 3 touchdowns this season.
Steelers can still win the AFC North
The Steelers will win the AFC North by winning their final two games (they haven’t won division since 2020).
Pittsburgh has lost two straight games for the first time since Week 4 and 5. Offense has been an issue as the Steelers have scored just 30 total points over their the last two weeks.
The good news? Pittsburgh is 5-1 at home this season with four straight wins (only home loss was vs. the Cowboys on SNF in Week 5).
AFC playoff scenarios for the Chiefs
CLINCHED:
Buffalo Bills (12-3) — AFC East
Houston Texans (9-6) — AFC South
Kansas City Chiefs (14-1) — AFC West
Baltimore Ravens (10-5) — playoff berth
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5) — playoff berth
Kansas City clinches the AFC’s No. 1 seed, lone first-round bye and home-field advantage with a win or a Buffalo Bills loss or tie.