Matchup: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: Wednesday, December 25, 2024
Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
Broadcast: Netflix
Bets-Point Spread: Steelers (+2.0)
Combined Score-Over-Under: 45.0
- Odds source: Bovada Sportsbook
- Get real-time live scores & latest betting odds here!
Acrisure Stadium is all set to host the Pittsburgh Steelers (10-5) as they take on the formidable Kansas City Chiefs (14-1) this Christmas. The Steelers enter the matchup as 2.0-point underdogs according to Bovada bookmakers. The overall game total is set at 45.0 points.
This season, the Kansas City Chiefs have impressed with a record of 14-1. Their previous game against the Houston Texans resulted in a solid victory, finishing 27-19. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes exhibited stellar performance, completing 28 out of 41 passes for 260 yards and securing 1 touchdown, which gave him a quarterback rating of 93.5 without any interceptions. Wide receiver Xavier Worthy stepped up with a notable 7 receptions for 65 yards, averaging 9.3 yards per catch. Running back Kareem Hunt led the rushing attack with 11 carries, totaling 55 yards (5.0 yards per carry). The Chiefs executed 69 plays, amassing 375 yards in total. On the ground, they recorded 28 rushes, securing 124 yards at an average of 4.4 yards per carry. Defensively, Kansas City allowed 84 rushing yards on 17 attempts, averaging 4.9 yards per carry, and conceded 23 completions out of 39 attempts for 227 passing yards with a completion percentage of 59.0%.
This year, the Chiefs have amassed a total of 5,083 yards. Offensively, they’ve recorded 199 first downs and incurred 82 penalties resulting in 724 yards lost. Kansas City’s offense has scored a total of 23 passing touchdowns alongside 14 rushing touchdowns. However, they’ve turned the ball over 14 times (11 interceptions and 3 fumbles). The Chiefs boast an average of 112.9 rushing yards, ranking them 15th in the league, and score an average of 23.7 points per game.
On defense, the Chiefs have surrendered 3,237 passing yards, placing them 17th in the NFL. They allow an average of 215.8 yards per game through the air with a completion percentage of 64.8%. The team has given up 20 passing touchdowns and 11 rushing touchdowns this season, ranking them 3rd in the league for yards allowed per game at 307.2. Opponents manage rushes averaging 4.0 yards per attempt, totaling 91.4 rushing yards per game. Kansas City ranks 3rd in the league in points allowed, with an average of 18.5 points per game. For the season, they have yielded a total of 1,371 rushing yards across 15 games.
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The Pittsburgh Steelers come into this game with a 10-5 record. In their latest outing, they suffered a setback, losing 34-17 to the Baltimore Ravens. Quarterback Russell Wilson threw for 217 yards on 22 of 33 passing, securing 2 touchdowns but also throwing 1 interception, with a quarterback rating of 92.6 and an average of 6.6 yards per pass attempt. Running back Jaylen Warren finished with 12 carries for 48 yards, averaging 4.0 yards per attempt. Calvin Austin III was a standout in the passing game, recording 4 receptions for 65 yards, averaging 16.3 yards per catch. The Steelers rushed for an impressive average of 4.9 yards per carry, totaling 117 yards on 24 attempts. They concluded the game with 315 offensive yards from 57 plays (5.5 yards per play). Pittsburgh’s secondary allowed a completion rate of 65.2%, yielding 198 yards on 15 of 23 passing, while allowing the Ravens to rush 38 times for 220 yards (5.8 yards per rush).
When it comes to scoring, the Steelers are ranked 12th in the league, averaging 23.5 points per game. Their passing game has accumulated 2,983 yards, averaging 198.9 passing yards per game, ranking them 25th league-wide. The team’s rushing attack averages 126.0 yards per game, totaling 1,890 rushing yards for the season. Overall, the Steelers’ offense averages 324.9 yards per game, placing them 19th in the league. They have incurred 95 penalties leading to 778 yards lost, ranking them 17th in the league in that regard.
Defensively, the Steelers allow an average of 19.9 points per game, placing them 6th in the NFL. They have given up 19 passing touchdowns and 220.7 yards per game, ranking them 20th in passing defense. Pittsburgh’s ground defense has surrendered a total of 1,541 rushing yards (102.7 yards per game) along with 13 rushing touchdowns throughout the season. The Steelers’ defense has participated in 905 plays, ranking 9th in the NFL, and has forced 31 turnovers (15 fumbles and 16 interceptions) this year.
Free Prediction: Bet on the Chiefs (-2.0)
