Chiefs Battle Steelers on Christmas Day
Trevor Phipps
Once again, the Denver Broncos have kept their fans biting their nails on the edges of their seats. After their bye week, they celebrated a victory over the Colts, but it didn’t come easily.
The Broncos were down at halftime, but instead of giving up like they have done in the past, they came back to snag the “W.” To me, the team really showed that they have what it takes to stay in the game until the bitter end.
At halftime during the Colts game, the Broncos adapted on both sides of the ball and switched up their game plan to start to dominate. The game was sloppy, but fans rejoiced the team’s fourth win in a row and the fact that they clinched a winning season for the first time since 2016.
(Due to an early Christmas deadline, results were not available for the Broncos/Chargers shoot-out. Regardless, the Broncos are in the driver’s seat to snag a spot in the 2024 post-season race, according to media pundits. It’s not quite a done deal, but edging closer to reality. This will mark the first time they could see playoff action since they won the Super Bowl nearly a decade ago).
But it is now onto Cincy. The Good news: The Cincinnati Bengals just haven’t performed this year. Between their QB suffering injuries most of the season, they just have not been the dominating force they were last year. The Bad news: After Week 15, the Bengals were still in the hunt to make the playoffs. This just means that they will really want a win this week in hopes to stay in the mix.
In the end, I think this will be a close match that the Broncos will have to scramble to figure out how to win just like they did against the Colts. Hopefully, they can show the same resilience they displayed in Week 15.
Vegas Line: Bengals by 8.5
Trevor’s Pick: Denver Broncos 34, Cincinnati Bengals 31
Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers Wednesday 11 a.m.
I know I keep saying the Chiefs are going to lose, but they just won’t. Maybe I was wrong, and the Chiefs are as good as they were last season, and they will be winning the Super Bowl for the third year in a row.
However, I do like how the Steelers have been playing lately. At first, I thought they were an overrated team, but they too (like the Chiefs) just keep proving me wrong.
The Steelers look like they are going to win their division, but they need to keep winning so they can maybe jump ahead of the Buffalo Bills. The home field advantage factor I think will give the Steelers an advantage.
Vegas Line: Chiefs by 4.5
Trevor’s Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers 28, Kansas City Chiefs 24
Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots Sunday 11 a.m.
All season I have thought that the Chargers were really going to prove themselves. They have lost a couple of big games lately, but they are still looking playoff-worthy.
The Patriots however, have just not got things going this year. I think it is safe to say that they will never be the same after losing Tom Bray and Bill Belichick.
Vegas Line: Chargers by 2.5
Trevor’s Pick: Los Angeles Chargers 27, New England Patriots 10
Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints Sunday 11 a.m.
The Raiders have turned things around a bit, but they still have struggled to win. With their season already basically over, they will be looking to get as many wins as they can before the season ends.
The Saints though, have started to play decent ball lately. And since they technically still have a chance at the playoffs, they will be playing their hearts out.
Vegas Line: Saints by 2.5
Trevor’s Pick: New Orleans Saints 28, Las Vegas Raiders 19
Other Games to Watch
Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans Wednesday 2:30 p.m.
Christmas day this year is filled with important matches and this is another one. After Week 15, these two teams were neck and neck in the playoff race and whoever loses could drop behind the Broncos.
Vegas Line: Ravens by 1.5
Trevor’s Pick: Baltimore Ravens 31, Houston Texans 28
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings Sunday 11 a.m.
I really have liked what I have seen from the Packers this year as their only losses have come from stellar teams. The Vikings though do have a better record and they want to dethrone Detroit bad.
Vegas Line: Packers by 2.5
Trevor’s Pick: Green Bay Packers 31, Minnesota Vikings 30
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams Sunday 2:25 p.m.
This is another important match that could tell who will go to the playoffs and who won’t. So far the Rams are a game ahead of the Cardinals, but anything could happen in a division rivalry match.
Vegas Line: Rams by 5.5
Trevor’s Pick: Los Angeles Rams 24, Arizona Cardinals 14
