NFL Christmas Day Review
If you were hoping that the NFL Christmas program would deliver exciting, competitive football on Christmas Day—especially with the league making its debut on Netflix—you might have been shocked or disappointed to find that Santa left you with two blowout games in your stocking. The Ravens-Texans matchup showcased some thrilling moments, as Lamar Jackson maneuvered through a line of Texans defenders, etching his name into the record books. Fans were treated to two significant blowouts that both established and shifted the playoff landscape.
Pittsburgh faced a tough loss against Kansas City, which solidified the Chiefs' position as the conference's top team and secured them a bye week. The Ravens' victory catapulted Baltimore into first place in the AFC North, granting them the third seed and at least one home playoff game. Baltimore appeared nearly unstoppable, while Houston has struggled to meet expectations this season. However, the question remains: can this unproven Ravens team handle the pressure when the playoffs get tougher? Will their plays hold up against stronger competition?
**Texans vs. Ravens**
I can't imagine two teams more frustrated by playing football with such little rest than the Ravens and the Texans. The Ravens have a long history of late-season injuries, which have become as predictable as death, taxes, and the inevitability of facing setbacks. Last season, Lamar Jackson managed to stay healthy through the postseason, but the team lost Mark Andrews for a stretch. This did not prevent the Ravens from securing the number one seed, but Andrews returned for the playoffs and had little impact as the Ravens scored just ten points in a loss to the Chiefs.
Like the Saints and Lions, the Texans have endured the worst injury luck this season. They have lost all four of their top receiving options to injuries, with two now out for the remainder of the season. The Texans’ offense has struggled to find consistency, often winning games by the slimmest margins. However, the Texans’ defense entered this game against Baltimore as one of the best pass defenses in football in terms of pressure and yards allowed. Their success at disrupting quarterbacks and playing a lot of nickel defense requires lighter edge rushers.
Knowing this, the Ravens relied on the strength of Derrick Henry to carry their offense. They opened the scoring with a 27-yard catch-and-run from Lamar Jackson to Zay Flowers, which set up Henry’s two-yard touchdown. Despite an early sack on Jackson, he managed to evade pressure and scrambled for 25 yards to flip the field position.
The second drive for Baltimore ended in a field goal but continued the theme of relying on the run. The Texans' defense adjusted by focusing on rushing the quarterback and attacking the running back. This shift resulted in the Ravens’ offense giving up a safety in the second quarter after a punt planted them inside their five-yard line.
The Texans’ offense failed to capitalize on a red-zone opportunity, turning the ball over on downs after a big pass interference call had set up a potential scoring chance. However, the Texans' defense showed progress by pushing back the Ravens' rushing attack on multiple plays. Still, Baltimore’s next drive would showcase the impact of Houston's adjustments.
Lamar Jackson began to take control of the game, using both his arm and legs to extend plays. He showcased remarkable agility, dodging defenders as he connected with Mark Andrews for a 67-yard gain. In the red zone, Jackson replicated his success by holding the ball and weaving in the backfield before finding his other tight end, Isaiah Likely, to give the Ravens a 17-2 lead.
The Ravens added two more touchdowns in the second half. Andrews slipped to the back of the end zone to score, while Jackson's evasive maneuvers in the pocket didn't add to his rushing total but did help him accumulate 87 rushing yards, breaking the NFL's all-time leading rushing record. Jackson finished the game with three rushing touchdowns, along with 10 completions on 15 attempts for 168 passing yards and a passer rating of 143.9. Derrick Henry had an impressive outing as well, with 27 carries for 147 rushing yards and one touchdown. The Ravens' offense produced 16 rushing first downs and completed 3 of 3 in the red zone.
**Chiefs vs. Steelers**
The Steelers started the Russell Wilson era with a strong 4-0 record under the guidance of the veteran quarterback. With an 8-2 record, the Steelers controlled their fate heading into the Week 17 matchup against the Chiefs, a winner-take-all showdown for the AFC's number one seed. However, the Steelers have since dropped 3 of their last 5 games and entered this matchup with a 10-5 record, far from first place in the conference but still hoping to stay competitive in their division.
The Steelers have no guarantees with Russell Wilson or Justin Fields at the end of the season, and the offense has struggled without lead wide receiver George Pickens. I don’t think the Chiefs deserve to be the top-ranked team in football because their offense has been unconvincing; however, they could still showcase their best performances late in the season.
The Pittsburgh offense struggled mightily to start the game. They avoided disaster when Russell Wilson recovered a fumble, preventing Kansas City from capitalizing on a short field. Nevertheless, the Chiefs marched down the field in eight plays, culminating in a 7-yard touchdown pass from Patrick Mahomes to Xavier Worthy. Harrison Butker missed the extra point.
The Steelers continued to face challenges after another punt, and once again, the defense surrendered a touchdown. This time, it came on a seven-play drive that featured a 49-yard reception by Justin Watson, who later scored an 11-yard touchdown reception. The Steelers managed a strong red-zone drive, but a five-yard touchdown by Jaylen Warren was negated due to a holding penalty, and Russell Wilson then threw an interception before the end of the first quarter.
The Pittsburgh defense looked soft and suffered from blown coverages throughout the game. Although both teams slowed down towards the end, the Chiefs emerged with a dominant victory, winning 29-10. The Chiefs remain the only team with a winning record that has failed to score 30 points, but they produced 389 total yards and scored four touchdowns in this game. Patrick Mahomes completed 29 of 38 passes for 320 yards, three touchdowns, and a passer rating of 127. Notably, Mahomes completed only three passes longer than 15 air yards, including two touchdowns and a 49-yard bomb to Justin Watson.
Travis Kelce caught 8 passes for 84 yards, and Xavier Worthy also added 8 receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown each. Even with George Pickens back in the lineup, the Steelers struggled to move the ball. At one point in the fourth quarter, the Steelers faced a fourth-and-20 situation, which they failed to convert. Although the Steelers found some success on the ground, particularly with Wilson scrambling, they rushed for 202 yards overall. However, gaining yards on the ground when you start the game down two scores and lose the turnover battle has little significance beyond the box score. Wilson finished with 205 yards and a 65.7 passer rating.
The Steelers typically do not receive enough support on the ground, but tight end Pat Freiermuth emerged as their best receiver with 7 catches for 60 yards. Mike Williams had no catches, and Pickens managed only 3 catches for 50 yards. The Steelers offense regressed with every play, and this regression feels familiar given Russell Wilson's history of struggling later in the season as competition intensifies. Wilson also fumbled twice, recovering one but demonstrating worsening ball security as the season progressed.
Wilson's struggles on third downs and consistent scoring can be traced back to his final days in Seattle and his upheaval in Denver. The Steeler's defense also couldn’t keep pace with the Chiefs in short-yardage situations, making them appear vulnerable. Few offensive coordinators have managed to create an effective offense centered around one of the most polarizing talents at the quarterback position. Arthur Smith will have his work cut out for him to get the Steelers back on track.
