Chiefs vs Steelers picks: Writers predict Christmas Day showdown between AFC powers

Kansas City Chiefs v Pittsburgh Steelers
Kansas City Chiefs v Pittsburgh Steelers | Joe Sargent/GettyImages

The Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers are set to face off in an interesting NFL experiment: a Christmas Day game broadcast on a new partner for the National Football League (Netflix) featuring two of the NFL's most successful franchises.

In some sense, it's everything a football fan could want. On a national holiday where there could be lots of downtime and fan interest, Patrick Mahomes is going to lead the Chiefs on the road to face another AFC contender in hopes of clinching the AFC's top seed. Given the fact that two Hall of Fame coaches (Andy Reid and Mike Tomlin) will be facing each other, it should be an exciting matchup.

That said, the league is also toying with the gods here with a Wednesday matchup. Thursday Night Football is already challenging enough for players but now the league is insisting on such little rest for the four teams scheduled to play on Christmas this year. For the Chiefs, it's 3 games in 11 days. Imagine the fallout if a major injury happens or a significant number of players go down.

How will things turn out in this showdown of powers? How will the league come out looking with this new Netflix deal? Let's see what our writers are predicting for Week 17.

Patrick Allen
This is a tough matchup for Kansas City and it will be made tougher if Chris Jones doesn’t play. Teams like to matchup receivers on the Chiefs’ safeties and Russ Wilson loves to throw his moon balls to George Pickens and Calvin Austin. But the Chiefs can wrap up their season and get healthy by winning this game and securing the top seed in the AFC. Given the stakes, give me K,C. in a short week horror show.
Chiefs 13, Steelers 10

Price Carter
While the Chiefs do have some concerning injuries the same can be said for the Steelers. The most encouraging part about the win against the Texans was the Chiefs' ability to work around a great pass rush. Look for the Chiefs to continue that same game plan against another great defensive line. It’s hard to imagine the Chiefs having much more motivation for a game and getting almost a month off with the win. These are two teams headed in different directions and I think that trend points to the Chiefs pulling out this win.
Chiefs 28, Steelers 17

Matt Conner
The Steelers are a formidable club, but they're not without clear weaknesses. The Chiefs have concerns as well, but they're going to take care of business against a five-loss team with so much on the line.
Chiefs 24, Steelers 20

Josh Fann
This game will be a little tougher than initially thought with the injuries to Chris Jones and Jawaan Taylor, but I believe that Kansas City has enough on defense to win just one game without Chris Jones. Steve Spagnuolo will mix up the defense enough to cause confusion and lead Russell Wilson to commit a costly turnover. My eyes are going to be on the offense in this one. If they show up to play, and I think they will, then Kansas City will win comfortably as they look to lock up the No. 1 seed.
Chiefs 28, Steelers 19

Bransen Gibson
I don't think I've felt as good about this Chiefs team heading into a game this season than I do ahead of the Christmas Day meeting with Pittsburgh. Kansas City wasn't perfect against Houston, but they finally looked like a properly functioning team across the board, with no major deficiencies. With the #1 seed on the line, I think the Chiefs will turn in another strong performance.
Chiefs 27, Steelers 21

Felix Johnson
The Chiefs are hitting their offensive and defensive stride before the playoffs. Winning games by more than the hairs on Patrick’s chinny chin chin is comforting. I have loved the trend of turnovers on defense, which has eluded this elite group. At the same time, Pittsburgh is losing some of its groove and that’s bigger than some may think.
Chiefs 27, Steelers 17

Scott Loring
The Steelers are a tough matchup for the Chiefs. The key to the game will be eliminating Pittsburgh’s downfield passing. George Pickens will be active, and Mike Williams always morphs into Randy Moss whenever he plays the Chiefs. Though my brain tells me this one will be a letdown, I’m picking the Chiefs because I believe they will pull out all the stops to capture the top seed. And also because the Steelers’ quarterback is Russell Wilson.
Chiefs 20, Steelers 19

Jacob Milham
The Chiefs' offense stepped up after a lackluster streak, but that could end against the stout Steelers defense. This is the league's best defense at generating turnovers, which will put the Chiefs' ball security and Patrick Mahomes' accuracy to the test. I still believe Kansas City comes out on top, but this will be a low-scoring affair that relies on the Chiefs' defense winning the day. All in all, Kansas City plays on Christmas and unwraps their first 15-win season in franchise history.
Chiefs 17, Steelers 10

Shawn O'Brate
The Steelers are coming off of a huge loss, while the Chiefs are still riddled with injuries. This game could honestly go south fast depending on how Russell Wilson plays—does he play like first-year-in-Denver-Russ or play like he did when he beat K.C. last year? Either way, the Chiefs' defense is finally getting back to its old ways and the offense is healthy. Chiefs squeak out a win and rest their starters in Denver next week.
Chiefs 28, Steelers 24

Charles Robinson
Pat vs Russy. Need I say more? Merry Christmas to all, and to all a good clinch. 
Chiefs 23, Steelers 20 

Stacy Smith
The 14-1 Kansas City Chiefs travel to the Steel City for their fourth game in 17 days (And a Merry Christmas to you, too, Roger). The Pittsburgh Steelers are clinging to a narrow lead in the AFC North after a tough loss to the Ravens last week. Kansas City will play with a sense of urgency with a chance to lock up the No. 1 seed. Patrick Mahomes has an efficient two-TD day, and Hollywood Brown scores his first touchdown as a Chief.
Chiefs 24, Steelers 21

Lucas Strozinsky
I expect the Chiefs to play hard knowing they're one win away from a mini-vacation in January. It will be tougher with Chris Jones likely not playing (as of the writing of this post), but I still think they'll get the job done.
Chiefs 23, Steelers 20

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