HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

The NFL Week 17 schedule kicks off with two Christmas Day games Wednesday between the Kansas City Chiefs and Pittsburgh Steelers and Baltimore Ravens and Houston Texans.

The Chiefs are coming off a 27-19 win against the Texans in their NFL Week 16 game.

The Steelers lost to the Ravens, 34-17.

Kansas City enters its game with a 14-1 record. Pittsburgh is 10-5 on the season. Baltimore is 10-5. Houston is 9-6.

Santa left a pair of presents underneath the tree for fans this Christmas. While prime-time matchups don’t always deliver, these matchups present some of the more interesting teams that are postseason bound.

The Chiefs are eyeing their third straight Super Bowl victory, while Pittsburgh is one of the surprising teams this season being led by a rejuvenated Russell Wilson. Baltimore is hoping to exorcise their playoff demons and Houston is trying to announce their arrival as true contenders.

Needless to say, no one is worried about where the gift receipt is this year.

The reindeer are ready, the sleigh is packed and we are ready to feel some holiday cheer on the gridiron. Cue Mariah Carey!

The NFL’s Christmas games are exclusive to Netflix nationally, but fans in each of the team’s markets can find the broadcasts on their local CBS affiliates.

Today’s Storylines:

• Storylines are aplenty on Christmas from an NFL perspective. The Steelers and Chiefs, known for some of the more dramatic finishes this season, match up in a battle of voodoo magic. It’s unclear which team is in better graces with the heavens, but we should find out on this magical day.
• While that’s all fun and games, there are very real things on the line in Pittsburgh on Wednesday. The Chiefs can clinch the AFC’s top seed with a win, securing the coveted first round bye and home field advantage. As for the Steelers, they are in a playoff race of their own, trying to maintain their hold over the AFC North. They’re locked in a tie with the Ravens, but currently hold the tiebreaker.
• Much like the first game, playoffs are on the minds of both teams heading into game No. 2. As it stands heading into the day, this would be the first round matchup on wild card weekend. However, the Ravens are hoping the Steelers slip up, giving them the edge in the AFC North with a win and just one game to go. Baltimore is already in the playoffs and so are the Texans, but it’s Houston with more to prove at this stage.
• The Texans are rapidly losing receivers, adding Tank Dell to the growing list last week. They claimed Diontae Johnson off waivers, after his trade to Baltimore was a complete disaster. For fans of revenge games, Johnson’s potential debut against his former team adds a little more spice to this matchup.

Enjoy the food and football. I hope Santa is good to you this year!