NFL Christmas Day Games: Predictions, Tips & Odds

NFL Week 17 begins with two Christmas Day games as the Pittsburgh Steelers host the Kansas City Chiefs at Acrisure Stadium before the Houston Texans entertain the Baltimore Ravens at NRG Stadium.

The Kansas City Chiefs have won 14 of their first 15 games in the defence of their NFL Championship title but they are still to clinch the first seed for the AFC playoffs. 

A win over the Steelers on Christmas Day would earn them a first-round bye in the postseason after the Buffalo Bills beat the New England Patriots on Sunday to reach 12-3 and prolong the race.

The Pittsburgh Steelers are locked in a battle with their rivals the Baltimore Ravens, with both teams at 10-5 after the Ravens won their head-to-head battle on Sunday. 

The Steelers still hold a narrow tiebreak advantage but need to win their toughest home fixture of the season against the champions to put the pressure on the Ravens in the later game.

Pittsburgh Steelers v Kansas City Chiefs prop bets - tips and predictions 

Marquise Brown over 38.5 receiving yards - 10/11

The Chiefs were finally able to get their off-season signing Marquise 'Hollywood' Brown on the field in Sunday's win over the Texans and the former Ravens and Cardinals wide receiver made an impressive start.

Brown was targeted by QB Patrick Mahomes eight times, catching five passes for 45 yards with a longest reception of 20 yards.

That encouraging return should see him at least as involved in the game plan against the Steelers and he looks good to register over 38.5 receiving yards.

DeAndre Hopkins over 3.5 receptions - 20/21

Having been short of receiving options at the start of the season, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid now has plenty of firepower and mid-season addition DeAndre Hopkins continues to earn his keep.

Hopkins has caught at least four passes in seven of his nine games for the Chiefs since being traded from the Titans, including each of his last five appearances. 

Against Houston on Sunday he was targeted just four times, but caught each one for 37 receiving yards and he has proved to be a valuable mid-season pick-up for the champions.

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Pittsburgh Steelers v Kansas City Chiefs money line, spread, over/under

	Money Line	Spread	Over/Under
Steelers	6/5	+2.5 – 10/11	Over 43.0 – 10/11
Chiefs	5/7	-2.5 – 10/11	Under 43.0 - 10/11

Pittsburgh Steelers v Kansas City Chiefs spread pick - Chiefs -2.5 - 10/11

The Chiefs have achieved their fantastic 14-1 record with largely workmanlike performances and they have had a number of narrow escapes along the way.

Andy Reid's team seems to be on the up now, though, with injured players coming back to health and the incentive of being able to take it easy over the last two weeks if they clinch the first seed must be strong.

The Steelers have had an excellent season and QB Russell Wilson looks rejuvenated in his new home but they have suffered back-to-back losses to the Eagles and Ravens, both by wide margins, and could be running out of steam.

View the full market and more odds for Pittsburgh Steelers v Kansas City Chiefs on site.

The Ravens and Texans have both already qualified for the AFC playoffs, but the Ravens' motivation should be greater as they will either be looking to keep pace with the Steelers if they win the earlier game, or have the chance to go ahead of their AFC North rivals if the Chiefs win in Pittsburgh.

The Ravens are coming off two wide-margin wins over the Giants and Steelers, while the 9-6 Texans have faced limited opposition in the AFC South this season and have often failed to impress when meeting strong opposition.

Houston Texans v Baltimore Ravens prop bets - tips and predictions

Lamar Jackson over 271.5 passing and rushing yards - 10/11

Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson will want to take this opportunity to strengthen his case for the NFL's MVP award after impressing against the Steelers and he has thrown eight TD passes in his last two games taking his total for the season to 37.

He looks capable of landing the over in the combined market on his passing and rushing yards at 271.5 as he averages 252.5 passing yards per game and a further 51 per game when rushing.

Kyle Van Noy to record a sack - 13/10

Texans quarterback CJ Stroud has been sacked 47 times this season and 31 of those have come in the last nine games as their offensive line continues to struggle.

Stroud was taken down four times each by the Titans and Dolphins in recent games and the Ravens' leading pass-rusher Kyle Van Noy could add to his seasonal tally of 10.5 sacks, which includes at least one in each of the last three games.

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Houston Texans v Baltimore Ravens money line, spread, over/under

	Money Line	Spread	Over/Under
Texans	7/4	+4.0 – 10/11	Over 46.5 – 10/11
Ravens	10/21	-4.0 – 10/11	Under 46.5 - 10/11

Houston Texans v Baltimore Ravens spread pick - Ravens -4.0 - 10/11

The Ravens have had their let-downs this season, but they are finishing the regular season in impressive fashion and could prove too strong for the Texans.

John Harbaugh's side have beaten the Giants and Steelers by double-figure margins in their last two games and half of their 10 wins this season have come on the road, so they should have few qualms about heading to Houston, where the Texans have been beaten by the Lions and Titans this season.

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This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.