Chiefs wrap up No. 1 seed in AFC with 29-10 win over Steelers on Christmas

PITTSBURGH, Pa. (KCTV) - The Kansas City Chiefs delivered the AFC’s No. 1 seed to Chiefs Kingdom on Christmas Day, defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-10 in a Week 17 matchup.

The win, Kansas City’s 15th of the season, set a franchise record for most single-season regular season wins in Chiefs history and paves the way for homefield advantage throughout next month’s AFC playoffs.

“Getting the number one seed is important,” said quarterback Patrick Mahomes, who bounced back from last year’s Christmas day clunker for one of his best games of the season. “It’s like winning a playoff game. I was happy to get that done.”

Kansas City came out red hot in the first quarter as Mahomes found wide receivers Xavier Worthy and Justin Watson for 7 and 11-yard touchdown scores to give the Chiefs a 13-0 lead. It was the first time all season Mahomes threw for multiple touchdowns during a game’s first quarter.

Offensively, Kansas City had its way with the Pittsburgh defense. The Chiefs averaged 6.7 yards per play and moved the ball at will throughout the game. In the fourth quarter, the Chiefs pulled away with a 2-yard rushing touchdown from Kareem Hunt and a 12-yard touchdown reception for tight end Travis Kelce.

Kelce’s score was his 77th career in the regular season, suring Chiefs legend Tony Gonzalez for the best mark in franchise history. It gave Kansas City a 29-10 lead, which they held onto for the final score.

“I’ll tell you, I’d probably say yes, where all three phases are rolling,” head coach Andy Reid said of whether the last two games have been the Chiefs best of the year. “The important thing is that we continue that, that we keep getting better, not flatten off, not go backwards, but keep climbing on that.”

Chiefs safety Justin Reid got in on the Christmas fun with an interception of Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson on Pittsburgh’s third drive of the day. The turnover came in the end zone, a play after Pittsburgh had been penalized for a holding that negated a touchdown.

READ MORE: Kelce takes Chiefs all-time franchise TD receptions record

Without star defensive tackle Chris Jones due to a calf injury, the Chiefs defensive line stepped up with 5 sacks. The Chiefs defense overall had six tackles for loss and forced two turnovers.

In the third quarter, Kelce caught his fourth of the game, a 19-yard gain that was his 1,000th reception of his career. In doing so, he became the 15th player in NFL history to reach 1,000 catches, adding to a historic day.

Mahomes was masterful on Christmas Day this year, going 29-for-38 for 320 yards, 3 touchdowns, and no turnovers. It was Mahomes’ first 300-plus yard and 3 ing touchdown performance of the 2024 season and came just in time to earn the Chiefs stars some much-needed rest in Week 18.

“It’s going to be nice getting guys healthy,” Mahomes said. “This is the earliest bye I’ve ever had in general. Having this break, getting back healthy, getting ourselves ready to go for the playoffs, it was super important, especially with the guys we had banged up.”

The air attack for the Chiefs was as effective as its been all year, and got several -catchers involved. Rookie wideout Xavier Worthy had 8 receptions for 79 yards and the game’s opening score. Veteran wideout Justin Watson had 2 receptions for 60 yards and a touchdown, including a 49-yard deep ball that had rarely been seen over the last two seasons.

“This is home for him,” Mahomes said of Watson, who grew up in nearby Bridgeville, Pennsylvania. “To be able to make a couple plays, get a touchdown, it’s always special to get a touchdown in your home state.

“Seemed like we spread the ball around really well. Guys made plays. When you have that many weapons out there, it’s hard for the defense to for. Hollywood (Brown) has made a huge impact on this offense.”

Kansas City will head on the road to close out the regular season in Denver on Sunday, Jan. 5. It remains to be determined when that game will kick off.

GAMEDAY BLOG: Chiefs lock up AFC 1 seed with win over Steelers

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