PITTSBURGH — On Christmas Day, Andy Reid entered a lively Kansas City Chiefs locker room dressed in a Santa Claus outfit, presenting his team with a gift that recognizes their season: securing home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs. Following the Chiefs’ decisive 29-10 win over the struggling Pittsburgh Steelers, the mystery of how Reid managed to slip into the costume so quickly added a lighthearted touch to the celebration, leading to speculation that perhaps an elf played a role.
The continued success of Reid’s team in the NFL is hardly surprising, given their combination of standout players. The talents of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce, along with the team’s speed and a defense that consistently performs quietly, remain essential elements of a formula that has proven effective. Despite some rocky moments this season, particularly as they chase a third consecutive championship, the Chiefs appear to be gaining momentum as the playoffs approach.
With Arrowhead Stadium set to host the postseason once more, the team expressed satisfaction with their performance. “Getting the No. 1 seed is important,” Mahomes stated after amassing 320 passing yards and throwing three touchdown passes. “It’s like winning a playoff game.” However, the way they secured their playoff position didn’t fully resemble the intensity of a typical playoff clash.
The Chiefs (15-1) toyed with the Steelers (10-6), maintaining control throughout the match, swiftly establishing a 13-point lead early on. The Steelers, grappling with their third consecutive loss, have seen their hopes of claiming the AFC North dwindle further.
“That was difficult, to put it bluntly,” mentioned Steelers coach Mike Tomlin. Mahomes continues to dominate in matchups against Pittsburgh, boasting a perfect 4-0 record and an impressive 17 touchdown passes to just one interception. During the game, he connected with teammates Xavier Worthy and Justin Watson for touchdowns, ultimately capping off his performance with a historic 12-yard pass to Kelce in the fourth quarter.
This touchdown marked the 77th scoring reception of Kelce’s career, surpassing the previous franchise record held by Tony Gonzalez, a Hall of Famer. Kelce celebrated by dunking the ball over the goalpost, paying tribute to Gonzalez’s iconic gesture. Although the act resulted in a 15-yard penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct, the Chiefs remained comfortably ahead as Harrison Butker successfully converted the extra point.
“It’s just showing Tony some love,” Kelce shared with a chuckle on a day he also achieved the milestone of 1,000 career receptions, a feat matched by a select few tight ends, including Gonzalez and Jason Witten. Kelce recorded eight catches for 84 yards, highlighting an offense that appears to be gaining its rhythm as the playoffs approach.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs’ defense, even without five-time Pro Bowl defensive end Chris Jones due to a calf injury, held up well, showing no signs of fatigue despite playing their third game in 11 days. Cornerback Trent McDuffie acknowledged the tough scheduling but praised his team’s performance during this stretch.
In stark contrast, the Steelers faced a grim fate, dropping all three of their games in this difficult stretch against formidable opponents Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Kansas City, struggling to compete and losing by at least two touchdowns in each contest. This string of defeats has cast doubt on Pittsburgh’s ability to secure a playoff spot after being in a favorable position just weeks prior.
Pittsburgh quarterback Russell Wilson voiced concern over their recent performance, emphasizing the importance of finishing their final game of the regular season on a positive note. “We’ve got to make sure that we end this last game on the right footing and with the right belief,” he remarked after throwing for 205 yards but also facing a crucial interception in the end zone during the first half.
Conversely, the Chiefs continue to build on their success with Mahomes leading an outstanding offense. He showcased his skills by distributing the ball effectively, completing passes to eight different receivers and setting a personal record with eight passes to Worthy. The return of Hollywood Brown from injury has also injected new energy into the already potent offense, hinting at a promising playoff run ahead.
“We’re playing, especially offensively, our best football of the year,” Mahomes declared confidently. It certainly appeared that way as he helped propel the team to victory without significant limitations from a prior ankle injury, scoring touchdowns in the initial drives of the game. While the Steelers attempted to close the gap on a couple of occasions, they failed to seize any momentum in the second half, allowing the Chiefs to solidify their spot as the top seed.
In terms of injuries during the game, the Chiefs saw running back Isiah Pacheco leave in the second half due to a rib injury. The Steelers had defensive tackle Cam Heyward briefly exit the game in the fourth quarter before returning to the field.
As the regular season draws to a close, the Chiefs will wrap things up with a trip to Denver, while the Steelers prepare to host Cincinnati in their season finale.
