5 issues to look at because the Chiefs play the Steelers on Christmas Day

Christmas Day’s Week 17 motion will begin with a battle of AFC playoff groups.

The (14-1) Kansas Metropolis Chiefs are on the highway to play the (10-5) Pittsburgh Steelers at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Kickoff is about for midday Arrowhead Time on Netflix, KCTV/5 in Kansas Metropolis and KDKA/2 in Pittsburgh.

A Kansas Metropolis win would wrap up home-field benefit all through the postseason, establishing a possible relaxation interval of at the very least 23 days for key gamers like quarterback Patrick Mahomes, tight finish Travis Kelce and defensive deal with Chris Jones — who was restricted in Tuesday’s apply with a calf harm.

The Chiefs might want to overcome a short-week highway journey — and a Steelers crew that badly wants a win to remain on prime of the AFC North.

Listed below are 5 issues to look at on Christmas.

1. Holding Patrick Mahomes upright

Denny Medley-Imagn Photographs

Within the three video games earlier than Saturday’s 27-19 win over the Houston Texans, Kansas Metropolis’s two-time MVP quarterback was sacked (or hit) 34 instances. However towards the Texans, the Chiefs’ go protectors allowed only one sack and no different registered hits.

It was one of many cleanest start-to-finish video games of the season for the #Chiefs offense

The one sack allowed was simply nice execution by the Texans. 48 disguised the blitz & rushed within the lane Pat was making an attempt to throw to pic.twitter.com/Rg0YcwzVcJ

— Ron Kopp Jr. (@Ron_Kopp) December 24, 2024

That one play will be chalked as much as Houston’s nice execution, too.

Whatever the standing of veteran left deal with D.J. Humphries — who has not practiced since his hamstring harm — Saturday’s clear effort must be duplicated towards a Steelers protection that ranks second in quarterback knockdown price (12%). Outdoors linebacker T.J. Watt has 11.5 sacks and leads the NFL in each tackles-for-loss (18) and compelled fumbles (6).

The All-Professional edge rusher nearly completely performs towards the best aspect of the offensive formation — which is a susceptible spot as a result of beginning proper deal with Jawaan Taylor has been restricted on this week’s practices with a knee harm.

The Chiefs might want to have eyes (and arms) on Watt — and in addition maintain monitor of defensive lineman Cameron Heyward on the within. Edge rushers Alex Highsmith and Nick Herbig are additionally authentic threats from the left edge. That trio has mixed for 18.5 sacks and 5 pressured fumbles this 12 months.

2. Sustaining rhythm within the passing sport

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One of the simplest ways to keep away from the go rush is to eliminate the ball rapidly. That was the theme towards Houston, when Mahomes recorded his lowest common time to throw of the season (2.5 seconds).

The development of Kansas Metropolis’s receiving corps is the first purpose this was attainable. Rookie Xaiver Worthy arguably had his greatest sport on Saturday, racking up a career-high 61 yards after the catch over seven catches; every catch was made after fewer than 10 air yards.

But it surely wasn’t simply Worthy’s persevering with development. Hollywood Brown’s return from harm opened issues up for your entire passing assault — and Mahomes trusted him immediately. Brown ran the crew’s seventh-most routes (14) however ended with the second-most targets (8).

The offense will proceed utilizing that duo’s velocity to stretch protection skinny. When the explosiveness will get blanketed, broad receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been a security valve on the surface. He’ll face a Steelers cornerback group that’s lacking its prime participant: Joey Porter Jr. is out with a knee harm.

3. Masking the perimeter

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The Chiefs’ protection will proceed to give attention to limiting explosive performs. The Pittsburgh offense lives on lengthy completions — which might be very true with star wideout George Pickens getting back from a hamstring harm that sidelined him for 3 weeks.

Earlier than that, he performed six video games with beginning quarterback Russell Wilson. In that stretch, just one NFL starter averaged extra passing yards per try (8.7) than Wilson. Weeks 7-13 featured Pickens making huge performs: on passes thrown 20 or extra yards downfield, he led the league in catches, yards and first downs earned.

The Chiefs’ cornerbacks might want to fight Pickens’ means to complete contested catches. The Steelers may also throw to the big-bodied former Los Angeles Chargers broad receiver Mike Williams. This battle exterior the numbers might be a key for the Kansas Metropolis protection.

4. The go rush probably with out Chris Jones

Picture by Jamie Squire/Getty Photographs

In Saturday’s sport, Jones left the sector after tweaking his calf. With the postseason on the horizon, it might not be value pushing the crew’s greatest defender via an harm that may completely worsen with exercise.

Which will sluggish the momentum the go rush has gained since defensive finish Charles Omenihu returned from harm — however it additionally presents an essential take a look at for complimentary gamers to step up. On common, Wilson has been sacked on 8.2% of his dropbacks — the league’s tenth-highest price.

Wilson will make go rushers work to complete sacks, however strain can nonetheless succeed by disrupting his rhythm and forcing him out of construction. On dropbacks lasting longer than 2.5 seconds, Wilson completes solely 58% of his passes; three of his 4 interceptions have are available in these conditions.

5. Situational execution

Picture by Cooper Neill/Getty Photographs

Lately, the Kansas Metropolis protection has been nice on third down, pushing the season-long conversion price to 51%. The league-leading mark can be the crew’s highest proportion since 2021.

These conditions might be challenged by a veteran Pittsburgh protection that enables third-down conversions on the league’s fifth-lowest price (35%). The Steelers even have playmakers over the center — like security Minkah Fitzpatrick and linebacker Patrick Queen — who can blow up a number of the Chiefs’ go-to methods to maneuver the chains or end a red-zone possession.

On the flip aspect, the Kansas Metropolis protection will face a Steelers’ offense that ranks thirtieth in red-zone conversion price. Pittsburgh has struggled to work in condensed area, so the Chiefs’ linebackers and safeties will play a giant half in persevering with that development. However they should do it with out nickel security Chamarri Conner, who’s out for Wednesday’s sport with a concussion.