It’s on Christmas Day Kansas City Chiefs simply outscored the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning 29-10 in a game where there was hardly ever any doubt.

Here are some early takeaways from another encouraging Kansas City performance:

Now The looked like the old Chiefs offense.

The conversation needs to start with the tackle position. Since Kansas City installed Joe Thuney at left tackle, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has finally had enough time to act – and when he does, he’ll once again look like the best quarterback in the world.

Right tackle Jawaan Taylor also deserves credit for playing through an injury. Despite a few penalties, Taylor prevented All-Pro pass rusher TJ Watt from making a significant impact.

The Chiefs secured their franchise-record 15th win, but it took until Week 17 for Mahomes to record his first 300-yard, three-touchdown game of 2024. He did it by catching eight different targets – led by tight end Travis Kelce with 84 yards and a touchdown – and wide receiver Xavier Worthy with 79 yards and a touchdown.

Kelce showed his trademark yards after the catch, culminating in his 77th career touchdown – a new franchise record for touchdown receptions. Kelce honored his team’s history with a dunk off the goal post, even though it cost the team 15 yards.

I think it’s safe to say Andy Reid didn’t mind.

Worthy suddenly looks like a veteran player, and while he didn’t perform as well, wide receiver Hollywood Brown had, in my opinion, the game-winning catch of the game as the Pittsburgh crowd on a one-score play on second-and-long rocked late in the third quarter. Brown caught a quick slant shot in front of the upright and finally secured the first down with a touchdown drive.

The deep 49-yarder to wide receiver Justin Watson provided a breath of fresh air – and he also got on the scoresheet with an 11-yard dart from Mahomes.

Right now the Chiefs are the pure ones definition to reach the climax at the right time.

The Chiefs front makes a statement without Chris Jones.

Many suspected that Jones’ absence would be the deciding factor against the Steelers, but the defensive line proved otherwise. Together, the unit combined for 5.0 sacks and eight quarterback hits.

Mike Danna broke out of a midseason slump by facing Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson twice. George Karlaftis came home for his eighth sack of the season.

We can acknowledge that the defense’s positive performance was not without concerns. But while Kansas City allowed multiple third-and-longs through a mix of coverage slips and quarterback scrambles, the scoreboard speaks for itself.

If Kansas City’s defense can limit opponents to 10 points per game in the playoffs, they will win the Lombardi Trophy for the third consecutive year.

To the winner goes loot – and one extreme Playoff advantage.

With their win, the Chiefs secured the AFC’s No. 1 seed and a bye to the first round of the playoffs, and they did that with a week left in the regular season, giving them the virtual equivalent of two bye weeks.

And the Chiefs need the rest.

Kelce is 35, Mahomes is suffering from a high ankle sprain, Jones’ calf kept him out of the game and almost every natural tackle (DJ Humphries, Tayor and Wanya Morris) is broken. The listed team Seven other players on their injury report.

If the offense gets back on track and the defense makes a statement, the Chiefs won’t play another meaningful game for the next three weeks. They will be as fresh heading into the postseason as they were when they left training camp and will play at home at Arrowhead, where they were undefeated this season.

Last Christmas the season seemed to be in jeopardy. This year is all about the anticipation of the potential glory that lies ahead.