The Kansas City Chiefs wasted no time getting on the scoreboard in their Christmas Day matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers. On their opening drive, superstar quarterback Patrick Mahomes connected with rookie wide receiver Xavier Worthy on a 7-yard touchdown pass to give the Chiefs an early 6-0 lead.
Worthy, the Chiefs’ first-round draft pick out of Texas, has made an immediate impact in his debut season. The score was his 9th touchdown of the year, with six receiving TDs and three more on the ground. He has quickly emerged as one of Mahomes’ top targets.
Penalty Proves Costly
However, the touchdown celebration was short-lived for Kansas City. Worthy was flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct after the score, a 15-yard penalty that was enforced on the extra point attempt. The penalty pushed kicker Harrison Butker’s try back to 48 yards, and he proceeded to push it wide right.
Instead of a 7-0 lead, the Chiefs had to settle for just a 6-point advantage. While it may seem minor, those lost points could loom large in what’s expected to be a hard-fought AFC clash. The Steelers’ defense has now allowed an NFL-high 12 touchdowns in the first quarter this season.
Mahomes Makes History
For Mahomes, the touchdown toss was the 192nd of his illustrious career. He tied Hall of Famer Brett Favre for the 4th-most passing TDs by a player in his first seven NFL seasons. The 27-year-old continues to cement his place among the all-time greats.
Every time I step on the field, I’m trying to do whatever I can to win. Records and milestones are great, but it’s all about coming away with that W at the end of the day.
Patrick Mahomes on his touchdown record
Playoff Picture Impact
Both the Chiefs (11-3) and Steelers (9-5) entered this showdown in the thick of the AFC playoff race. A Kansas City win would move them a step closer to the conference’s top seed and a first-round bye. Pittsburgh is trying to keep pace with the Baltimore Ravens in the competitive AFC North.
- Chiefs can clinch AFC West title with win + Chargers loss
- Steelers fighting for positioning with Ravens, Bengals in AFC North
With just three weeks left in the regular season, every game takes on added significance. That’s especially true when it features two of the conference’s top Super Bowl contenders. Each play could prove crucial, as the Worthy touchdown and subsequent penalty showed.
More Holiday Heroics
NFL fans have grown accustomed to memorable moments on Christmas Day. Just last year, we witnessed the Arizona Cardinals topping the Philadelphia Eagles in a 27-26 thriller, and Aaron Rodgers leading the Green Bay Packers to a last-second win over the Cleveland Browns.
If this opening score is any indication, the Chiefs and Steelers are ready to deliver yet another holiday classic. In a season full of dramatic finishes and improbable outcomes, would we really expect anything less at this point?
As the action continues to unfold in Pittsburgh, one thing is certain: every snap matters. Will Mahomes and Worthy connect for more big plays? Can the Chiefs’ defense contain Najee Harris and the Steelers’ rushing attack? The answers to those questions could determine the playoff fortunes of these two proud franchises.
No matter what happens over the next three hours, the NFL has once again delivered an early Christmas gift to sports fans everywhere. Let’s sit back and enjoy the show.
