Christmas Day brings a unique set of challenges for teams across the NFL landscape. In the AFC, a miniature round-robin tournament has unfolded over the past five days, with four contenders – including the Chiefs and Ravens – vying for top spot.
On Christmas Day, the Chiefs face off against the Steelers in Pittsburgh, while the Ravens head to Houston to take on the Texans. This could be a playoff preview, with the Texans and Ravens currently matched up as the Nos. 4 and 5 seeds in the AFC.
Expert analysis suggests that the underdog Steelers have a legitimate chance to pull off an upset against the Chiefs, who are three-point favorites. A key factor in this matchup is George Pickens’ return from injury, which could create explosive plays for Pittsburgh’s offense. Additionally, the Steelers’ pass rush unit boasts one of the best win rates in the NFL, which could put pressure on Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.
Meanwhile, the Ravens are 5.5-point favorites on the road against the Texans, who have struggled to contain Lamar Jackson in the past. However, Houston’s defense has shown promise, particularly when it comes to rushing the quarterback, and they may be able to slow down Henry’s momentum downhill.
In terms of over/under picks, Billy Ward suggests that the Steelers offense struggles to move the ball, which could lead to a low-scoring game against the Chiefs. On the other hand, he expects the Texans offense to keep pace with the Ravens, clearing the over in this matchup.
Source: https://www.actionnetwork.com/nfl/nfl-predictions-picks-expert-christmas-doubleheader-bets-on-spreads-over-unders