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.
NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.
Halftime: Chiefs lead at the break
We’re halfway home on Christmas in Pittsburgh and the Chiefs have the 13-7 edge over the home side. K.C. came out of the gates hot, racing out to a 13-0 lead, but the game slowed and Pittsburgh got back into it. Neither side could get that coveted score in the final two minutes, but the Steelers do profile as more of a second half team. They’re allowing the third-fewest points per game in the final two quarters, 8.6, so this could get tight down the stretch. The Chiefs get the ball to start the third quarter.
Two-minute warning: Steelers driving for a score before the half
After a couple of uneventful drives, Pittsburgh is aiming to put some more points on the board before we reach halftime. Bailed out by a Chiefs’ penalty on fourth down, the Steelers have the ball with a second-and-long at their own 48.
Who is announcing the Steelers vs. Chiefs game?
A new broadcast means there are some new combinations in the broadcast booth. Luckily for NFL fans, these are familiar voices for the Steelers vs. Chiefs contest, with Ian Eagle handling the play-by-play while J.J. Watt and Nate Burleson provide analysis. All three are typically part of the NFL on CBS for football Sundays.
How much did Netflix pay for NFL Christmas games?
Netflix struck a deal with the NFL for three seasons, giving them the rights to broadcast today’s games. The streaming giant gave the league 150 million reasons to take the deal, courtesy of the $150 million check they cut. In other words, Netflix paid $75 million for just the Steelers vs. Chiefs game, with the other $75 going to the Texans vs. Ravens contest later on.
Steelers-Chiefs score: Russell Wilson runs in for the TD
It appears the Steelers are going to let Russ cook on this holiday. Pittsburgh gets the response they were looking for, as Wilson caps off the 11-play, 72-yard drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown. The paying fans in attendance rejoice as their team gets back into the game. Chiefs 13, Steelers 7
End of first quarter: Chiefs in control early
We’ve seen a few flashes from the Steelers, but the Chiefs look like a team that has some great gifts under the tree to play with. K.C. is looking to take care of business quickly. For a squad that’s struggled to pull away, the next score will tell us whether we’re in for a blowout or a close fight to the finish.
Steelers’ TD called back, Russell Wilson tosses an interception
You’ve heard of the “Nightmare before Christmas,” but the “Nightmare on Christmas” might be more relevant now. Pittsburgh punched it into the end zone with a run from Jaylen Warren, but Darnell Washington’s holding penalty negated the score. On the next play of football, Russell Wilson gave to us an interception. Bah humbug.
Steelers-Chiefs score: Justin Watson extends the Kansas City lead with TD catch
Moments after the Mahomes highlight, the quarterback follows it up with a 49-yard dart to Justin Watson. A few plays later, it’s Mahomes-to-Watson again, this time for six. Butker adds on the extra point, giving Kansas City the two-score lead. The Steelers offense needs to get going quickly. Chiefs 13, Steelers 0
Highlight: Patrick Mahomes flips it to Samaje Perine for the first down
Mahomes is toying with the mighty Steelers defense, this time pulling off a little flip to Perine, picking up 14 yards and the first down. You’ll want to get a look at this.
Steelers-Chiefs score: Xavier Worthy opens the scoring with TD catch
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
Netflix NFL scorebug
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.
Steelers go three-and-out on opening drive
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
Steelers vs. Chiefs live stream
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.
Steelers vs. Chiefs odds, moneyline, over/under
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
Where is Steelers vs. Chiefs?
The Steelers and Chiefs clash in Acrisure Stadium (formerly Heinz Field) in Pittsburgh, Pa. on Christmas.
Chiefs inactives vs. Steelers
- Chamarri Conner, DB
- Joshua Uche, DE
- C.J. Hanson, OL
- D.J. Humphries, OL
- Ethan Driskell, OT
- Malik Herring, DE
- Chris Jones, DT
Steelers inactives vs. Chiefs
- Justin Fields, QB
- Ben Skowronek, WR
- Joey Porter Jr., CB
- Preston Smith, DE
- Dean Lowry, DE
Chris Jones out for Chiefs vs. Steelers
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
Steelers vs. Chiefs weather updates
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%).
What happened to Patrick Mahomes?
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.