The kansas city chiefs vs steelers match player stats from December 25, 2024 tells the story of complete domination. Kansas City crushed Pittsburgh 29-10 at Acrisure Stadium, with Patrick Mahomes throwing for 320 yards and three touchdowns while Travis Kelce made franchise history with his 1,000th career reception and an 84-yard, one-touchdown performance.
Table of contents
- Game Overview: Chiefs Secure AFC’s Top Seed
- Quarterback Performance: Mahomes vs Wilson
- Receiving Leaders: Chiefs Weapons Shine
- Rushing Attack: Ground Game Comparison
- Defensive Standouts: Chiefs Defense Dominates
- Team Statistics Comparison
- Key Moments That Decided the Game
- Historical Context and Records
- Playoff Implications
- Andy Reid’s Christmas Celebration
- Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
- Final Thoughts
Game Overview: Chiefs Secure AFC’s Top Seed
The defending Super Bowl champions improved to 15-1, locking up the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs for the fourth time in seven seasons. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, dropped to 10-6 after their third consecutive loss, putting their AFC North division lead in serious jeopardy.
Final Score: Kansas City Chiefs 29, Pittsburgh Steelers 10
Location: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
Attendance: 67,311
Game Duration: 2:52
Scoring Summary
| Quarter | Chiefs | Steelers | Scoring Play |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | 6 | 0 | Xavier Worthy 7-yard TD from Mahomes (PAT failed) |
| 1st | 13 | 0 | Justin Watson 11-yard TD from Mahomes (Butker kick) |
| 2nd | 13 | 7 | Russell Wilson 1-yard TD run (Boswell kick) |
| 3rd | 16 | 7 | Harrison Butker 32-yard FG |
| 3rd | 16 | 10 | Chris Boswell 36-yard FG |
| 4th | 22 | 10 | Kareem Hunt 2-yard TD run (2-point failed) |
| 4th | 29 | 10 | Travis Kelce 12-yard TD from Mahomes (Butker kick) |
Quarterback Performance: Mahomes vs Wilson
Patrick Mahomes Stats
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 29/38 |
| Passing Yards | 320 |
| Touchdowns | 3 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer Rating | 136.8 (1st half) |
| Sacks Taken | 0 |
| Targets Spread | 8 different receivers |
Patrick Mahomes carved up the Steelers defense like he was conducting a symphony. His efficiency was surgical, completing 76.3% of his passes while spreading the ball to eight different receivers. The two-time MVP threw touchdown passes on Kansas City’s first two drives, setting the tone early.
Mahomes continued his dominance over Pittsburgh, improving to 4-0 against the Steelers with 17 touchdowns and just one interception in those four meetings. His 244th career touchdown pass tied Peyton Manning for the most in a player’s first eight NFL seasons, though Mahomes accomplished this despite being a backup his rookie year.
“Getting the No. 1 seed is important,” Mahomes said postgame. “It’s like winning a playoff game. We’re playing, especially offensively, our best football of the year.”
Russell Wilson Stats
| Category | Stat |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 23/37 |
| Passing Yards | 205 |
| Touchdowns | 0 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 |
| Times Sacked | 5 |
| Sack Yards Lost | 43 |
Wilson struggled mightily against Kansas City’s relentless pass rush. The veteran quarterback was harassed all afternoon, getting sacked five times for 43 yards and throwing a costly first-quarter interception in the end zone to Justin Reid. His lone bright spot came on a 1-yard scramble touchdown in the second quarter.
“I think that there’s highs and lows in every season,” Wilson said after the loss. “We’ve got to make sure that we end this last game on the right footing and right belief.”
Receiving Leaders: Chiefs Weapons Shine
Kansas City Chiefs Receiving Stats
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns | Longest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Travis Kelce | 8 | 84 | 1 | 20 |
| Xavier Worthy | 8 | 79 | 1 | 23 |
| Justin Watson | 2 | 60 | 1 | 49 |
| Hollywood Brown | 4 | N/A | 0 | 35 |
| JuJu Smith-Schuster | Multiple | N/A | 0 | N/A |
Travis Kelce made history on Christmas Day, becoming just the third tight end in NFL history to reach 1,000 career receptions, joining Hall of Famer Tony Gonzalez and Jason Witten. His 12-yard fourth-quarter touchdown catch was his 77th career scoring reception, breaking the franchise record previously held by Gonzalez.
The 35-year-old tight end celebrated by dunking the ball over the goalpost, a tribute to Gonzalez’s signature celebration. The gesture drew a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, but Kelce was unfazed.
“It’s just showing Tony some love,” Kelce said with a laugh.
Xavier Worthy had a breakout performance with a career-high eight receptions for 79 yards and a touchdown. The rookie speedster was targeted heavily by Mahomes and delivered, though an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty after his first-quarter touchdown pushed back the extra-point attempt, which Harrison Butker subsequently missed.
Justin Watson proved clutch with two catches for 60 yards, including a critical 11-yard touchdown grab that extended Kansas City’s lead to 13-0 in the first quarter. His 49-yard reception was one of the game’s biggest plays.
Pittsburgh Steelers Receiving Stats
| Player | Receptions | Yards | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pat Freiermuth | 7 | 60 | 0 |
| George Pickens | Multiple | N/A | 0 |
| Calvin Austin III | Multiple | N/A | 0 |
Pat Freiermuth led Pittsburgh with seven catches for 60 yards but fumbled late in the game, leading directly to the Chiefs’ final touchdown. The tight end was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise dismal offensive performance.
Rushing Attack: Ground Game Comparison
Kansas City Chiefs Rushing Stats
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | Touchdowns | Longest |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kareem Hunt | 9 | 20 | 2.2 | 1 | N/A |
| Isiah Pacheco | Multiple | N/A | N/A | 0 | N/A |
| Patrick Mahomes | Multiple | 26 | 5.2 avg (season) | 0 | N/A |
| Team Total | 20 | 69 | 3.5 | 1 | N/A |
Kansas City’s rushing attack wasn’t spectacular, managing just 69 yards on 20 carries. However, they didn’t need a dominant ground game with Mahomes dissecting Pittsburgh’s secondary through the air. Kareem Hunt scored the crucial fourth-quarter touchdown to extend the lead to 22-10.
Pittsburgh Steelers Rushing Stats
| Player | Carries | Yards | Average | Touchdowns |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Najee Harris | 13 | 74 | 5.7 | 0 |
| Jaylen Warren | Multiple | 62 | N/A | 0 |
| Russell Wilson | 1 | 1 | 1.0 | 1 |
| Team Total | 31 | 202 | 6.5 | 1 |
The Steelers actually won the rushing battle decisively, racking up 202 yards on 31 carries compared to Kansas City’s 69 yards. Najee Harris led the way with 13 carries for 74 yards, while Jaylen Warren continued his efficient play with 62 rushing yards.
Despite the ground success, Pittsburgh couldn’t convert it into points. Penalties and turnovers derailed potential scoring drives, and the Chiefs’ defense stiffened in critical situations.
Defensive Standouts: Chiefs Defense Dominates
Kansas City Chiefs Defensive Stats
| Player | Position | Tackles | Solo | Sacks | TFL | Turnovers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Roland-Wallace | CB | 10 | 6 | 0 | N/A | 0 |
| Mike Danna | DE | Multiple | N/A | 2.0 | 1 | 1 FR |
| George Karlaftis | DE | Multiple | N/A | 1.0 | N/A | 0 |
| Tershawn Wharton | DT | Multiple | N/A | 1.0 | N/A | 0 |
| Justin Reid | S | Multiple | N/A | 0 | N/A | 1 INT |
Mike Danna had a monster performance with two sacks and a forced fumble. Playing without injured defensive tackle Chris Jones, Danna stepped up huge, recording sacks of 6 and 11 yards while consistently pressuring Wilson throughout the game.
George Karlaftis added another sack, taking Wilson down for a 10-yard loss in the first quarter. The Chiefs’ pass rush was relentless, recording five total sacks and forcing Wilson into hurried throws all afternoon.
Justin Reid came up with the game’s first turnover, intercepting Wilson in the end zone during the first quarter. The safety’s pick killed a promising Pittsburgh drive and kept Kansas City’s early momentum rolling.
The Chiefs defense held Pittsburgh to just 1-of-4 in the red zone and forced two critical turnovers despite playing without their star defensive tackle Chris Jones, who sat out with a calf injury.
Pittsburgh Steelers Defensive Stats
| Player | Position | Tackles | Solo |
|---|---|---|---|
| Minkah Fitzpatrick | S | 7 | 6 |
| Cam Heyward | DT | Multiple | N/A |
| T.J. Watt | LB | Multiple | N/A |
Minkah Fitzpatrick led the Steelers with seven tackles, including six solo stops. However, Pittsburgh’s defense couldn’t generate enough pressure on Mahomes, who wasn’t sacked once and had plenty of time to pick apart their secondary.
Team Statistics Comparison
| Category | Chiefs | Steelers |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 389 | 364 |
| First Downs | 20 | 23 |
| Passing Yards | 320 | 162 |
| Rushing Yards | 69 | 202 |
| Third Down Efficiency | 3-10 (30%) | 8-16 (50%) |
| Fourth Down Efficiency | 1-1 (100%) | 0-1 (0%) |
| Red Zone Efficiency | 4-5 (80%) | 1-4 (25%) |
| Turnovers | 0 | 2 |
| Penalties | 9-90 | 4-25 |
| Time of Possession | 28:38 | 31:22 |
The statistics reveal an interesting story. Pittsburgh actually controlled the ball longer, gained more rushing yards, and converted third downs at a better rate. However, the Chiefs were vastly superior where it mattered most: red zone efficiency (80% vs 25%) and turnovers (0 vs 2).
Kansas City’s ability to punch it in when they reached the red zone proved decisive. They scored touchdowns on four of their five red zone trips, while Pittsburgh managed just one touchdown in four chances.
Key Moments That Decided the Game
First Quarter Domination: Kansas City scored on their first two possessions, building a 13-0 lead before Pittsburgh even got going. Mahomes looked locked in from the opening snap, and the Chiefs’ defense forced immediate three-and-outs.
Wilson’s Red Zone Interception: With Pittsburgh threatening to respond, Wilson threw an ill-advised pass in the end zone that Justin Reid picked off. This swing play kept Kansas City firmly in control and deflated the home crowd.
Pat Freiermuth’s Fourth Quarter Fumble: With the Steelers trailing 16-10 and looking to mount a comeback, Freiermuth fumbled after a catch, giving Kansas City possession deep in Pittsburgh territory. The Chiefs capitalized immediately with Kelce’s record-breaking touchdown.
Chiefs’ Red Zone Excellence: Converting 80% of their red zone opportunities into touchdowns proved insurmountable for Pittsburgh to overcome.
Historical Context and Records
Travis Kelce Milestones
- 1,000th career reception (3rd tight end ever)
- 77th career touchdown (Chiefs franchise record)
- 7th season with 90+ receptions
- 90 receptions in 2024 season
Patrick Mahomes Achievements
- 244th career TD pass (ties Peyton Manning through 8 seasons)
- 4-0 career record vs Steelers
- 17 TDs, 1 INT against Pittsburgh (career)
- 15-1 season record (Chiefs franchise record for wins)
Team Records
- Chiefs: First 15-win team since 2015 Carolina Panthers
- 4th time in 7 seasons with AFC’s No. 1 seed
- 5th consecutive victory heading into playoffs
Playoff Implications
The victory secured home-field advantage throughout the AFC playoffs for Kansas City, meaning the road to the Super Bowl runs through Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs will likely rest key players in Week 18 against Denver, preparing for a deep playoff run and potential historic three-peat.
For Pittsburgh, the loss dropped them to 10-6 and into a tie with Baltimore atop the AFC North. Their three-game losing streak against playoff contenders (Philadelphia, Baltimore, Kansas City) raises serious questions about their postseason readiness.
“That sucked, to be blunt,” Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said after the game.
Pittsburgh needed to regroup quickly for their Week 18 showdown against Cincinnati, which could determine whether they host a playoff game or travel on Wild Card weekend.
Andy Reid’s Christmas Celebration
In a lighthearted postgame moment, Chiefs head coach Andy Reid donned a Santa Claus suit in the locker room, celebrating with his team after delivering them home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. How Reid managed to change into the costume so quickly remains a mystery, though he hinted there’s “an elf involved.”
The image perfectly captured Kansas City’s dominant season, combining championship-level excellence with the joy and camaraderie that has defined this three-peat chase.
Looking Ahead: What’s Next?
The Chiefs head into the final week of the regular season with nothing to play for except staying healthy. Their focus shifts entirely to the playoffs, where they’ll have at least two weeks to rest, recover, and prepare for a postseason run that could cement their legacy as one of the NFL’s all-time great dynasties.
Pittsburgh must win their final regular-season game and hope Baltimore stumbles to claim the AFC North. More importantly, they need to fix the issues that plagued them during this brutal three-game skid, particularly their inability to protect Wilson and capitalize in the red zone.
The kansas city chiefs vs steelers match player stats from this Christmas Day clash reveal a team hitting its stride at exactly the right time versus one struggling to find answers when it matters most. For more comprehensive player statistics and game analysis across the NFL, visit Match vs Player Stats.
Final Thoughts
Kansas City’s 29-10 victory wasn’t just another win. It was a statement. After months of squeaking by opponents and winning close games, the Chiefs finally looked like the championship team everyone expected. Mahomes was brilliant, Kelce made history, and the defense suffocated Pittsburgh without their best player.
The Steelers, meanwhile, face an uncomfortable truth: they’ve been thoroughly outclassed by every elite opponent they’ve faced recently. Whether they can flip the switch for the playoffs remains Pittsburgh’s biggest question entering the postseason.
The 2024 NFL season’s penultimate matchup delivered drama, history, and a clear message: the Chiefs remain the team to beat in the AFC.
