Christmas Day will bring a doubleheader of NFL action with a lineup of exciting games. This year marks the fifth consecutive season that games will be played on the holiday, and it will be the second year in a row featuring both the Baltimore Ravens and Kansas City Chiefs. The Ravens will be facing the Houston Texans, while the Chiefs will go head-to-head with the Pittsburgh Steelers. All four teams have secured a spot in the AFC playoff picture.
The Christmas NFL games are set to kick off at 1:00 pm EST, and both matchups have the potential to offer a glimpse into the upcoming playoffs. Kansas City currently holds the top seed in the AFC as they head into Week 17. They will be taking on the Steelers in the opening game, while Baltimore is set to face the Texans in a rematch of the 2023 divisional-round matchup.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will be hosting the Kansas City Chiefs at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with the game scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. ET. Fans can catch the action on Netflix or tune in to their local CBS affiliate in the Pittsburgh and Kansas City markets. Both teams will be playing on short rest after their Saturday games in Week 16. Despite being the defending champions, the Chiefs have shown no signs of a Super Bowl hangover as they continue to perform at a high level.
The Chiefs are closing in on clinching the No. 1 seed in the AFC following a victory over the Houston Texans with a score of 27-19. On the other hand, the Steelers suffered a loss to the Ravens in their previous game. A win would have given them the head-to-head sweep and secured the AFC North title, but now they must regroup and aim to hold off Baltimore with just two games left in the regular season.
The outcome of Buffalo’s game in Week 16 will also play a role in the playoff seeding. If Buffalo were to lose, the Chiefs could lock up the No. 1 seed, potentially shifting the stakes for their Christmas Day matchup. The Steelers, led by quarterback Russell Wilson, have been rejuvenated on offense and are fighting for a spot in the AFC playoffs.
In the second Christmas NFL game, the Houston Texans will host the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium in Houston, Texas, with kickoff set for 4:30 p.m. ET. Fans can watch the game on Netflix or tune in to their local CBS affiliate in the Houston and Baltimore markets. The Texans have already secured the AFC South title for the second consecutive season and will be looking to bounce back after a recent loss to the Chiefs.
Meanwhile, the Ravens have their sights set on a deep playoff run in January. They are aiming to overtake the Steelers in the AFC North standings to secure at least one home playoff game. Reigning NFL MVP Lamar Jackson, along with running back Derrick Henry, form a dynamic offensive duo that poses a significant threat to opposing defenses.
