For the fourth time in seven years, the road to the Super Bowl in the AFC will run through Kansas City.

Patrick Mahomes threw for 320 yards and three touchdowns, Travis Kelce scored for the first time in seven weeks and the Chiefs beat the Pittsburgh Steelers 29-10 to clinch the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye in the AFC playoffs.

Mahomes completed first-quarter touchdown passes to Xavier Worthy and Justin Watson, then delivered the final blow with a 12-yard strike to Kelce in the fourth quarter.

Mahomes' 127.1 passer rating was his highest in a game this season, and the Chiefs' (15-1) 19-point margin of victory was their best of the campaign, as well.

Kansas City coach Andy Reid donned a red Santa Claus suit in the locker room to celebrate a victory in the opener of the NFL's Christmas Day double-header.

HOW THE CHIEFS STOLE CHRISTMAS pic.twitter.com/AzgNG4mjb9

— Kansas City Chiefs (@Chiefs) December 25, 2024

The Steelers totalled 202 rushing yards and picked up 13 first downs on the ground, but Russell Wilson and the passing game fell short.

Wilson, who was sacked five times, was 23 of 37 for 205 yards with no touchdowns and one interception.

Pittsburgh (10-6) dropped their third consecutive game – all by double digits – as they battle for play-off seeding.  

Lamar Jackson sets QB rushing mark in rout

Lamar Jackson passed Michael Vick for the most career rushing yards by a quarterback, and the Baltimore Ravens cruised past the Houston Texans 31-2.

With a six-yard rush in the third quarter, Jackson passed Vick's career total of 6,109 yards.

"Michael Vick, one of my favourite players," Jackson said. "That's just dope."

Jackson ran for 87 yards – including a 48-yard touchdown – and added 168 yards and two scores through the air as he continued his push for a third MVP after winning the award last season and in 2019.

With one game remaining in the regular season, Jackson has thrown for 3,955 yards and 39 touchdowns on 67.9-percent completion – all career highs – while only throwing four interceptions. He has 852 yards and four scores on the ground.

After outgaining the Texans 251 to 58 on the ground today, the @Ravens have outrushed their opponents by 1664 yards this season. That would be the second-largest rushing differential in a single season in NFL history behind only the 2019 Ravens (1802). pic.twitter.com/cbbUipr5Vf

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) December 26, 2024

Derrick Henry racked up 147 yards rushing and a touchdown as the Ravens totalled 251 yards on the ground and 5.8 yards per carry.

Baltimore's defence was just as dominant, holding the Texans to 10 first downs and sacking Houston quarterback C.J. Stroud five times.

The Ravens' defence struggled early in the season but has allowed just 11 points per game during the team's current three-game winning streak.

Baltimore (11-5) took control of the AFC North with the Steelers' loss to the Chiefs. The Ravens can clinch the division next week with a win over the Cleveland Browns or a Pittsburgh loss.