The holidays are here, and what better way to celebrate than with a full slate of NFL action on Christmas Day? 

It’s not just about football — it’s about the excitement, the traditions, and this year, the intrigue of watching these games live on Netflix. That’s right, the streaming giant is stepping into the world of live sports, adding a unique twist to your holiday viewing experience. Don't let the festivities fool you, though; these games come packed with playoff stakes that could shake up the AFC as the postseason looms.

First up, the Kansas City Chiefs take on the Pittsburgh Steelers at 1:00 PM EST, a matchup that pits Patrick Mahomes’ magic against a Steelers team fighting to maintain control of the AFC North. Later in the afternoon, the Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans face off, with Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry looking to assert their dominance. Kickoff for that one will be at 4:30 PM EST. 

During halftime of the Ravens and Texans game, Beyoncé is set to take the stage for a special performance. The NFL has pulled out all the stops for Christmas Day, a day typically dominated by the NBA. Not anymore.

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Chiefs Riding High

The Chiefs come into this Christmas Day matchup riding a wave of dominance that’s been their trademark all season. With a 14-1 record, they’ve shown an uncanny knack for winning tight games, having notched their 16th consecutive one-score victory last week. 

Patrick Mahomes, playing through a nagging ankle issue, continues to be the league’s gold standard at quarterback. He’s not just making plays but elevating those around him, even as injuries have challenged Kansas City’s depth — especially at wide receiver. 

Their defense, anchored by Chris Jones, has been a quietly crucial piece of the puzzle. While the secondary has dealt with its share of setbacks, they’re rounding into form just in time. A win here would all but lock up the AFC’s top seed, ensuring Arrowhead Stadium remains a fortress through the playoffs.

Steelers Control Their Own Destiny

For the Steelers, this game is all about maintaining control of the AFC North and securing a home playoff game. While they’ve already clinched a postseason berth, losing to the Chiefs on Christmas Day would open the door for the Ravens to swoop in and steal the division crown if Baltimore wins later that day. 

Last week’s tough loss to the Ravens has already put Pittsburgh in a precarious spot, making this game a must-win to keep their fate in their own hands. Steelers' legend, Ben Roethlisberger, voiced his opinion on the Steelers' schedule this year, saying, "You wanna talk about injuries and making the game safer, changing the kickoff rule and preventing guys on hip-drop tackles, and concussions, and this that and the other, and you're going to make guys play the most violent game in the world, arguably, three games in 11 days."

Pittsburgh’s defense remains their strongest asset, with T.J. Watt continuing to terrorize quarterbacks and lead a unit capable of game-changing plays. Their ability to generate turnovers will likely be the deciding factor against Patrick Mahomes and Kansas City’s explosive offense. That said, the offense needs to do its part as well. 

Russell Wilson's coming off his worst outing of the season. He threw two touchdowns but also a costly interception while taking three sacks in a loss to the Ravens. The potential return of George Pickens offers a major boost to the Steelers' offense. Pickens, who has been recovering from a hamstring injury, has stated that he "feels good" and is trending towards playing on Christmas Day. His presence would give Russell Wilson a dynamic downfield threat, helping to stretch the field and create opportunities against the Chiefs' defense.

Steel Curtain vs. Mahomes Magic

The Chiefs’ offense has been clutch all year, finding ways to win even when the stats don’t jump off the page. They’ve leaned on Patrick Mahomes to work his magic in critical moments, but the offensive line’s struggles have made life tougher than it should be. Mahomes has already been sacked more this season than any other in his career, and that’s a glaring issue when facing a Steelers defense that thrives on pressuring quarterbacks. T.J. Watt and company could create havoc if Kansas City can’t shore up their protection.

For Pittsburgh, last week’s tough loss to Baltimore highlighted the areas Pittsburgh needs to improve, particularly on offense. With the run game offering little support, Russell Wilson has shouldered the load, but his performance against the Ravens wasn't great. He threw two touchdowns, but also a costly interception, and his offensive line’s struggles didn’t help.

X-Factors

For Kansas City, the running game and Mahomes’ ability to extend plays with his legs will be key. The offensive line has had its struggles this season, so any help Mahomes can provide by escaping pressure or Pacheco breaking through for some chunk plays would go a long way in offsetting the Steelers' relentless pass rush.

On the other side, George Pickens looms as a potential game-changer for the Steelers. After battling a hamstring injury, the talented receiver expressed optimism about playing, saying he “feels good.” His presence would give Pittsburgh the big-play ability they’ve been lacking and help stretch Kansas City’s secondary, which has been solid but could be tested with Pickens on the field.

Prediction

The Chiefs win this one comfortably. Russell Wilson had been trending up in recent weeks, but his performance against the Ravens felt like a turning point — and not in a good way. Facing a relentless Kansas City defense and a team laser-focused on locking up the No. 1 seed, Wilson and the Steelers may struggle to keep it close. 

Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans

Ravens Looking to Take Control

The Ravens head into their Christmas Day matchup with a golden opportunity to seize control of the AFC North, especially if the Steelers falter earlier in the day. Baltimore has been red-hot of late, led by Lamar Jackson, who's putting together one of the best seasons of his career. 

While he may not be the MVP front-runner, Jackson has been surgical in his efficiency, balancing the offense with his dual-threat ability, a strong rushing attack, and emerging weapons at receiver. The Ravens have the perfect combination of explosiveness and balance that makes them one of the most dangerous teams in the league heading into the playoffs.

On the defensive side, Baltimore has flipped the script on what was a shaky start to the year. Over the past month, they’ve become one of the league’s toughest units, particularly in the secondary. That defensive resurgence will be key against a Texans offense that’s seen better days.

Texans’ Tough Road Ahead

For Houston, it’s been a season of highs and lows. They’ve already clinched the AFC South and will enter the playoffs as the fourth seed, but injuries have ravaged their depth chart, especially at wide receiver. Losing Tank Dell to a knee injury last week was a gut punch for C.J. Stroud, who has done his best to steer the ship despite lacking consistent targets. Stroud’s leadership has been top-notch, but it hasn’t been enough to generate the offensive firepower needed to keep up with elite teams.

The Texans’ offensive line has also been a glaring weak spot. Stroud has been under siege far too often this year, and now he faces a Ravens pass rush that’s hitting its stride. On the bright side, Nico Collins has solidified himself as one of the league's best pass-catchers. They're going to need a massive day from him if Houston hopes to keep this game close.

Inside the Matchup

The matchup to watch here is Baltimore’s surging defense against C.J. Stroud’s poise and playmaking ability. 

After a rocky start to the season, the Ravens’ defense has really hit its stride, becoming one of the league’s top units. Stroud, on the other hand, has been a great leader this season, but he’ll face relentless pressure from a Baltimore pass rush that could overwhelm Houston’s struggling offensive line. If the Texans’ line can’t step up, it could be a long day for Stroud in the pocket.

Then there’s Derrick Henry, the Ravens’ wrecking ball of a running back. Few defenses have figured out how to stop him this year, and Houston will have its hands full trying to contain his pure power. 

X-Factors

Baltimore’s tight end Mark Andrews stands out as a critical mismatch in this game. Fresh off his first touchdown against the Steelers last week, Andrews is set to make a big impact again. With the Texans likely focusing heavily on stopping Derrick Henry, Andrews could exploit the middle of the field and pick apart Houston’s linebackers and safeties. 

For Houston, the pressure will be on John Metchie and Robert Woods to step up. With two of their top three pass catchers sidelined due to knee injuries, the Texans’ passing game has been severely hampered. The fourth-leading receiver on the team is a tight end, and fifth is a running back, making Metchie and Woods a huge part of keeping pace with Baltimore’s explosive offense.

Prediction

The Ravens are simply the deeper, healthier, and more complete team at this stage. Houston might hang around early thanks to Derrick Henry, but the lack of firepower in their passing game will eventually catch up to them. Factor in the loss of Tank Dell, not just as a key offensive weapon but also as C.J. Stroud’s closest friend on the team, and it’s clear Houston will face an uphill battle. Baltimore takes control in the second half, using their depth and momentum to come out with a win.