We are at the end of the season’s stretch, which has put the Kansas City Chiefs in a unique position. If they win on Christmas Day at Pittsburgh against the Steelers, they can wrap up the top spot in the AFC and end their 11-day swing of three games. Should they win, they can also send a decisive message they are still the team to beat.
The Kansas City Chiefs have had a rocky road this season. Despite struggles on both sides of the ball, injuries, and a brutal schedule, they are 14-1. This is a crazy reality for the Chiefs and their fan base.
While everyone else picks them apart, the national pundits continue to doubt their ability to three-peat; that can all change on Wednesday when they face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day.
The best gift the team, coaching staff, and fan base can open tomorrow is a win over one of the best teams in the AFC. The Steelers have a narrow lead over the Baltimore Ravens for the top spot in the AFC North. With three games left, they must win against the Chiefs to keep that position.
However, the Chiefs have a bigger goal in mind. This team has battled injuries from the NFL schedule and taken every opponent’s best shot week after week. It is tired, battered, bruised, resilient, and motivated.
It’s hard to count out the Chiefs in this game, mainly because as long as Patrick Mahomes is under center, you always have a chance to win a football game. However, the magnitude of this game does require pristine focus.
Last Saturday, the Kansas City Chiefs played their best game of the season against the champions of the AFC South. The Houston Texans gave Kansas City all it could handle, but there was little doubt the Chiefs would lose this game.
The score could have been more significant, but now that the offense is fully equipped with its weapons, I’m confident the points will increase in the postseason.
Andy Reid, who should be the coach of the year for winning back-to-back Super Bowls and for the job he’s done this season managing constant roster shuffle, injuries, and winning games in various ways, is worthy of the NFL honor.
He’s the best coach in the game today, and the NFL takes him for granted. Instead, he must settle for six consecutive appearances (five at home) in the AFC Title game and three Super Bowl wins.
I think he’s good with that trade-off.
Still, he’s forced to manage another short week with virtually no practice time to prepare his team for traveling to Pittsburgh on Christmas Eve and accept the challenge presented by the NFL Schedule makers.
The Chiefs are must-see TV and the league’s ratings darlings, so the 11-day stretch is a product of their success.
So, why not go out there and win the game that locks up the top spot in the AFC and makes their season finale at Denver against division rival, the Broncos, a moot point? Yes, the Chiefs can earn the top spot if Buffalo loses one of their final two games, but I think Kansas City feels it’s best not to back into that top slot.
The good news is that the Steelers were beaten up by their game in Baltimore on Sunday afternoon, and the Chiefs have the advantage in this game because of their experience together.
Pittsburgh is in the first year of its Russell Wilson experiment, and though it’s been a success, Wilson has lost two straight games against better competition. He’s also fighting to regain his form and wants to make a statement on Christmas Day.
The storylines in this game are plentiful, and the drama will be fun to watch on Christmas Day. Kansas City is the class of the AFC with the best record, quarterback, head coach, and overall team, so that they won’t be fazed by the moment.
Score Prediction: Chiefs 19 – Steelers 10
