Christmas Day is no rest for the NFL. For the fifth consecutive season, matches will be played on this very special day. And for the second time in a row, the Baltimore Ravens and the Kansas City Chiefs will be on the program.
But this year, the NFL and Netflix are going to pull out all the stops. In addition to these two top-notch AFC confrontations, the day will be punctuated by shows from divas Mariah Carey and Beyoncé. Enough to celebrate the birthday of Jesus Christ with dignity.
Despite the turbulence, the Chiefs (still) fly over the NFL
Kick-off Wednesday at 7:00 p.m.
Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5) – Kansas City Chiefs (14-1)
Without convincing, the Chiefs are heading inexorably towards first place in the AFC. Patrick Mahomes and his team could have stumbled more than once during the season, but the defense and special teams saved the day. Last Saturday and in another close confrontation, there was better with 375 yards gained (best total in a month), allowing them to overcome the Texans (27-19). But more than the victory, it was the content that was interesting. Xavier Worthy was a constant threat, Hollywood Brown returned, and DeAndre Hopkins and Travis Kelce made key plays. Isiah Pacheco is also back and Kansas City's offense appears to be ramping up at the most important time of the year…
Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Steelers are going to have to find a way to win without George Pickens. Because Russell Wilson and his team are only 26th in terms of offensive EPA since their star receiver was injured. An absence that is all the more disabling as the schedule has tightened, as evidenced by the recent defeats against the Eagles and the Ravens. With them hot on their heels, Pittsburgh can't afford to lose a third straight time. The men of steel will therefore once again have to rely on their iron defense. The TJ Watt-led squad allows the fifth-worst completion percentage and is also first in the league in forced turnovers (2.1 per game). Enough to terrify any offensive squad.
The prediction: Kansas City Chiefs
Baltimore still dreams of first place in the AFC North…
Kick-off Wednesday at 10:30 p.m.
Houston Texans (9-6) – Baltimore Ravens (10-5)
In demonstration, the Ravens accumulated 220 yards on the ground to crush this solid Steelers defense. Derrick Henry seemed impossible to block, rushing 24 times for 162 yards in the game. “King Henry” totaled 1,636 yards and 15 touchdowns for his first year in Baltimore, and the former Titans star will once again be one of the biggest threats against Houston. Because if the spaces are freeing up so much in front of him, it's because he has a certain Lamar Jackson at his side. In the running for a third MVP title, the quarterback had his best season in the air (3,787 yards, 37 touchdowns, 4 interceptions) while continuing to be a threat on the ground (765 yards and 3 touchdowns). A two-headed hydra capable of devouring any NFL defense.
Opposite, the Texans are sluggish but assured of winning their (weak) division. The offense is struggling to return to its level from last season, with CJ Stroud running into the famous second-year wall, and a constantly diminished receiving corps (Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell all missed games). while the last two will not see the field again this season), and only Joe Mixon is doing better than expected (231 races, 967 yards, 11 touchdowns). Like the Chiefs and the Steelers, it is the defense that saves the furniture. The team led by Matt Burke ranks third in the NFL in yards conceded (5.0 per play) and fourth in yards conceded per game (307.3 yards). Watch out in particular for Danielle Hunter, still in the running for the season sacks record.
The prediction: Baltimore Ravens
…and Seattle from that in the NFC West
Kick-off on the night of Thursday to Friday at 2:15 a.m.
Chicago Bears (4-11) – Seattle Seahawks (8-7)
Following these festivities, return to everyday life. For the traditional Thrusday Night Football, head to Chicago where the Bears will face the Seahawks.
In the midst of a fight with the Rams for first place in the NFC West, Seattle must win in order to maintain their chances of participating in the playoffs. Indeed, a defeat associated with a victory for the Rams (against the Cardinals on Saturday) would destroy their hopes. Faced with a team that has nine defeats in a row, the advantage seems to be on their side. However, Seattle remains on two consecutive defeats against two other teams in the NFC North (Green Bay and Minnesota) and has lost feathers. The running back corps is particularly damaged and neither Kenneth Walker III nor Zach Charbonnet are guaranteed to be on the field. If Seattle wants its final against the Rams, it knows what it has to do.
Opposite, the Bears suffered the harsh law of the NFC North. Far from boxing in the same category, they have conceded 5 defeats in as many division matches. And if nothing seems to be going right since October, the defense manages to do worse than the attack. Over the last 9 games Chicago has allowed the third worst EPA total per play, the highest number of yards per pass attempt, and 26.8 points per game (including 31 in the last five). Eliminated from the race for the playoffs, the only issue remains the continued development of Caleb Williams. Because if the first choice of the 2025 Draft has decent stats (19 touchdowns and 5 interceptions), he still struggles to convince in the game.
The prediction: Seattle Seahawks
