By Nate Taylor, Mike DeFabo and Cale Clinton
The Kansas City Chiefs played one of their most complete games of the season on Christmas Day, handling business against the Steelers in a 29-10 win on the road. The Chiefs (15-1) lock up the top seed in the AFC playoffs, while the Steelers (10-6) fall to second place in the race for the AFC North.
Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs offense failed to score more than 30 points once again, but their 389 total yards were Kansas City’s third-most this season. Mahomes had his first 300-yard, three-touchdown game since Week 7 of 2023, and his touchdown connection with Travis Kelce gave the tight end his 77th receiving score, moving him past Tony Gonzalez for the most receiving touchdowns in franchise history.
HOLIDAY TOUCHDOWN FOR TRAVIS‼️ pic.twitter.com/sqgtsd0r1K
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 25, 2024
Even without defensive tackle Chris Jones due to a calf injury, Kansas City’s defense dominated Wednesday. Pittsburgh gave up a season-high five sacks, while the Chiefs defense picked off Russell Wilson in the endzone and forced two fumbles.
Wilson finished the afternoon 23-for-37 for 205 yards, an interception and a fumble, adding 55 rushing yards and a touchdown. Pittsburgh put up their first 200-yard rushing game of the season off the back of 74 yards form Najee Harris and a season-high 71 yards from Jaylen Warren.
Crazy holiday schedule no match for Kansas City
Even playing their third game in 11 days, the Chiefs offense appears to be at its most potent at the exact time the team could secure the AFC’s No. 1 seed, a reward that gives the franchise home-field advantage and a first-round bye. Mahomes, who once again played through a right high ankle sprain, produced his best performance of the season, throwing for 320 yards and finishing with three touchdown passes.
The reason Mahomes did so well was because he entered Acrisure Stadium on Wednesday with the best collection of skill players he has had all season. The duo of receivers in Marquise Brown and rookie Xavier Worthy allowed the Chiefs to be effective on the perimeter and the intermediate area of the field. With Brown playing well in just his second game this season, his presence created more space for Kelce, who feasted in the second half against the Steelers’ zone coverage. Even receiver Justin Watson caught Mahomes’ lone deep pass of the game, a 49-yard strike that set up Worthy’s touchdown. — Nate Taylor, Chiefs beat writer
Mahomes got strong protection
Another reason for Mahomes’ excellence is because maybe — in the most unlikely manner — the Chiefs have appeared to find their best left tackle this season: All-Pro left guard Joe Thuney.
For the third consecutive game, Thuney started at left tackle in place of D.J. Humphries, who is still recovering from a left hamstring injury. For the third consecutive game, Thuney didn’t surrender a sack. Humphries, a nine-year veteran, is expected to be healthy when the Chiefs begin their much-anticipated postseason run.
But will coach Andy Reid trust Humphries, who has played only one game after recovering from a torn ACL, when Thuney and new left guard Mike Caliendo have played this well? — Taylor
Spagnuolo has Chiefs defense shining
Much of the same can also be said about the Chiefs defense, led by coordinator Steve Spagnuolo. Even without Jones, their best defensive player, the Chiefs swarmed the Steelers for much of the game. Spagnuolo’s unit produced two takeaways, an interception from safety Justin Reid and a forced fumble from cornerback Trent McDuffie that was recovered by linebacker Nick Bolton. In the past five games, including Wednesday, the Chiefs have held their opponents to an average of just 14 points.
REID REELS IT IN 🔥 pic.twitter.com/VsFTIaI0NZ
— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 25, 2024
Jones is known for his ability to generate quick pressure on the quarterback. With Jones watching from the sideline, the Chiefs were able to harass Wilson with ease, including two sacks from defensive end Mike Danna. Even second-year defensive end Felix Anudike-Uzomah sacked Wilson early in the fourth quarter.
Perhaps the best part of the unit’s performances was that every defender tackled well. Whenever the Steelers have made a mistake, the Chiefs have been able to take advantage. Cornerback Joshua Williams had a leaping pass breakup in the second quarter. When the Steelers were in the red zone in the third quarter, cornerback Keith Taylor, another third-year player, did a great job of covering receiver George Pickens on a third-and-5 snap from the Chiefs’ 12-yard line. Wilson wanted to throw the ball to Pickets, but he had to hold onto the ball longer and was sacked by defensive tackle Tershawn Wharton, forcing the Steelers to kick a short field goal. — Taylor
Steelers’ defense had few answers
The Steelers’ defense got a much-needed shot-in-the-arm this week when a trio of starters (safety DeShon Elliott, corner Donte Jackson and defensive lineman Larry Ogunjobi) returned from injury. While the health of the defense improved, the performance did not.
On both of the Chiefs’ first two possessions, Mahomes led his team down the field with touchdown drives of 42 yards and 79 yards. The Steelers defense appeared to settle in, forcing three consecutive punts (including a pair of three-and-outs) to close out the first half. But Mahomes opened the second half with a field goal drive and followed it with back-to-back touchdown drives to put put the game out of reach.
At times this season, the Steelers’ defense has been good enough that Pittsburgh won two games without scoring a single touchdown (including against the NFL’s top-ranked Baltimore Ravens offense in Week 11). However, against top-tier competition during this three-game in 11-day stretch, the defense has been badly exposed. They allowed 27 points to the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 15, 27 to the Ravens (plus a pick six) and now 29 points to the Chiefs. — Mike DeFabo, Steelers beat writer
Pittsburgh’s missed red zone opportunities loom large
If a team wants to keep pace with Mahomes, they better finish drives with touchdowns. This reality put the Steelers’ inconsistent red zone offense under the microscope. Once again, the woes resurfaced.
Late in the first quarter, Warren sliced into the end zone, but a holding call on tight end Darnell Washington brought the touchdown back. Then, on the very next play, Wilson tried to thread the needle to Pat Freiermuth between the two Cover 2 safeties and was intercepted by Reid. Wilson may not be completely at fault for that one, as it appeared Pickens stopped running his route when he was jammed at the line of scrimmage, allowing Reid to redirect his attention in the middle of the field.
Then on the Steelers’ first possession of the third quarter, they drove to the Kansas City 12-yard line. However, Wilson was sacked — something that was an issue throughout the game — and Pittsburgh had to settle for a field goal. Fittingly, the game ended with the Steelers in the red zone. They were flagged for an illegal shift, resulting in a 10-second runoff. They finished the game 1-for-4 in the red area. — DeFabo
Required reading
(Photo: Justin K. Aller / Getty Images)
