Week 17 begins with a Christmas doubleheader on Netflix!

All four teams on today’s schedule are AFC Playoffs teams, with two already locked up in their division – one looking to secure the No. 1 seed – and the other two fighting for the top spot in their division.

The game at 1:00 p.m. ET pits the AFC West champion Kansas City Chiefs (14-1) against the current AFC North leaders Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5). Following this game, the AFC North runner-up Baltimore Ravens (10-5) travel to Texas to face the AFC South champion Houston Texans (9-6).

Steelers bosses

Date: Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Time: 1:00 p.m. ET
Location: Acrisure Stadium (colloquially known as Heinz Field), Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
TV (Stream): Netflix
Announcer: Ian Eagle, Nate Burleson and JJ Watt (field reporters)
Additional online streaming: NFL+ Premium

The folks at FanDuel Sportsbook favor Kansas City in this game, with the betting line set at Chiefs -2.5 points.

This game has playoff implications for both teams, which should provide additional motivation. For the Chiefs, a win means they are seeded No. 1 in the AFC, which gives them a bye in the Wild Card round and home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs.

The Steelers are currently in a tiebreaker against the Ravens, and a win would allow them to enter the final week of the season still atop the AFC North. If Pittsburgh loses, they open the door for Baltimore to overtake them in the division standings. The Steelers play the Bengals (7-8) in Week 18, and with Cincinnati potentially fighting for a playoff spot, it could be a difficult end to the season for the Steelers.

Ravens at Texans

Date: Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: NRG Stadium, Houston, Texas
TV (Stream): Netflix
Announcer: Noah Eagle, Greg Olsen and Steve Wyche (field reporters)
Additional online streaming: NFL+ Premium

The folks at FanDuel Sportsbook favor Baltimore in this game, with the betting line set at Ravens -5.5 points.

The Texans, who are currently the No. 4 seed in the AFC, are guaranteed to host a playoff game in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, but if they want to move up in the rankings, a win in this game would give them a chance to move up. They can’t beat the Chiefs or Buffalo Bills for the top two spots, but the Texans would move up to No. 3 if both the Steelers and Ravens lose this week.

If the Ravens beat the Texans and the Steelers lose to the Chiefs, Baltimore would move up to No. 3. If the Ravens lose, they will remain in 5th place regardless of what else happens. If the Ravens and Steelers win, the Ravens will remain in 5th place and enter the season finale with the goal of beating the Browns and hoping that the Bengals can beat the Steelers.

Enjoy the game and chat with us in the comments!