Let’s unwrap 2 Christmas Day NFL games and another Thursday night. Our picks for all 3 holiday games
GREG COTE’S NFL WEEK 17 CHRISTMAS & THURSDAY PICKS
CHIEFS (14-1) at STEELERS (10-5)
Line: KC by 2 1/12.
Cote’s pick: KC, 24-18..
TV: 1 p.m. Wednesday, Netflix.
[Playoff impact: KC has clinched division but not yet No. 1 seed. PIT has clinched playoffs but not yet division..] Chiefs sew up top AFC seed with a win in Wednesday’s early game or a loss by Buffalo on Sunday. Both teams are playing on three days’ rest, so will quality of play suffer? Weather shouldn’t be a factor; expected in the 30s, like a K.C. summer for this timer of year. Patrick Mahomes is 14-1 on TDs/INTs in three career games vs. Pittsburgh and Chiefs are 4-0 winning and covering when favored by three or less this year. If you’re still doubting K-City, that’s on you.
RAVENS (10-5) at TEXANS (9-6)
Line: BAL by 5 1/2.
Cote’s pick: BAL, 27-20.
TV: 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Netflix.
[Playoff impact: BAL has clinched playoffs but not yet division. HOU has clinched division.] Wednesday’s late game is another three days’ rest affair for both, so anything goers. A possible playoff preview based on seeding, but BAL has chance to take lead in AFC North with a win. Ravens WR Zay Flowers is iffy, but C.J. Stroud will be missing top target Tank Dell -- a huge loss. Lamar Jackson has been good all season, and better lately. HOU getting this many points at home tempts, but I’ll unwrap L-Jack on Christmas and call it a gift.
SEAHAWKS (8-7) at BEARS (4-11)
Line: SEA by 3 1/2.
Cote’s pick: SEA, 23-16.
TV: 8:15 p.m. Thursday, Prime Video.
[Playoff impact: SEA is alive but has not yet clinched. CHI is eliminated.] Let’s not pretend Thursday prime-time is delivering a great matcup, although Seattle still has a shot at NFC West title with a win. Seahawks are better on road (5-1) than Chitown is at home. Bears offense has stalled and the coaching change hasn’t helped. Seattle needs to get its run-game working, but Geno Smith with playoff stakes in play should be enough to outscore the toothless Bears.
Betting lines courtesy ESPNBet as of Tuesday afternoon.
