Chiefs Clinch Top AFC Seed With Win at Pittsburgh

Patrick Mahomes threw three touchdown passes and Travis Kelce made franchise history as the Kansas City Chiefs routed the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-10 on Christmas Day at Acrisure Stadium in Pittsburgh.

The win moves the Chiefs to 15-1 on the season and secures the top overall seed in the upcoming AFC playoffs. With the coveted first-round bye secured, the Chiefs can, if they choose, rest important starters and injured players in next Sunday’s regular season finale at Denver.

Kelce’s fourth-quarter touchdown reception from Mahomes was the 77th of his illustrious career, breaking Tony Gonzalez’s franchise record for touchdown catches. The Chiefs tight end celebrated by dunking the ball over the goalposts in the same fashion that Gonzalez did throughout his career – the only difference being that the celebration is a 15-yard penalty in today’s NFL. With the game well out of reach at that point, nobody seemed to mind.

Mahomes also connected with Xavier Worthy and Justin Watson on scoring throws as the Chiefs sprinted out to a 13-0 first quarter lead. Though the Steelers got within six points on two separate occasions, the Chiefs held the home team to just three second half points.

The Chiefs defense forced a pair of turnovers, with Justin Reid intercepting Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson and Trent McDuffie forcing a fumble. They also recorded five sacks, a feat all the more impressive considering All Pro defensive tackle Chris Jones sat out the game due to a calf injury.