Week 17 of the NFL season kicks off with a Christmas Day double header on December 25.
As the games get underway our pigskin prognosticator Peter Sharland has racked up a super Multi-Match Bet Builder for both games.
NFL Multi-Match Bet Builder
6:00pm Kansas City Chiefs @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Jaylen Warren over 34.5 rushing yards
Xavier Worthy over 45.5 receiving yards
9:30pm Baltimore Ravens @ Houston Texans
Derrick Henry 100+ rushing yards
Dalton Schultz over 3.5 receptions
- A Multi Match Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 14/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
It’s the most magical time of year. It’s the time to see loved ones, eat more than you should and watch some football! We’re now firmly into the NFL’s Christmas Day era, with regular games taking place on December 25th after years of inconsistency, and this week we have two powerhouse clashes in the AFC.
As you will remember these four teams played on Saturday to give them extra rest ahead of the match-ups on Christmas Day. First up at 6pm we have the 14-1 Kansas City Chiefs travelling to Pittsburgh to play the Steelers. Then at 21:30, the AFC South winners Houston Texans welcome the Baltimore Ravens to NRG Stadium.
There are stars and playoff seeding implications everywhere, despite all four of these teams having their spots confirmed, what more could you want? Read on to find what we’re tipping…
Kansas City Chiefs @ Pittsburgh Steelers – Jaylen Warren over 34.5 rushing yards
The Chiefs have clinched the AFC West, but not the No. 1 seed. They are still two games ahead Buffalo, but the Bills have the tiebreaker, if KC win this one they lock it up as the perfect Christmas present. For Pittsburgh they are locked in a battle for the North with Baltimore, they’ve split the season series and both have two games left.
For the home team Jaylen Warren’s rushing yards are set at 34.5 yards and even though the Chiefs are a solid run defence, we really fancy Warren here after his recent hot run and strong performance against the Baltimore front seven. Warren has hit this over in seven of his past nine games and should be the lead back for the Steelers moving forward. Plus there are some question marks over the Chiefs’ star defensive tackle Chris Jones and his fitness.
Xavier Worthy over 45.5 receiving yards
Also for the Chiefs it really feels as if Xavier Worthy is a) starting to put it all together and b) earning Patrick Mahomes’ trust. Worthy’s receiving yards is set at 45.5 yards, something he’s done in five of his last six games. At the weekend Zay Flowers had a big game with 100 yards off five catches, Worthy feels like he could do the same.
Baltimore Ravens @ Houston Texans – Derrick Henry 100+ rushing yards
As we mentioned the Ravens are locked into a battle with Pittsburgh, they still can take the North, but they need to win out. The Texans have wrapped up the South, but they are just a game back from Pittsburgh and Baltimore. There is a chance that if they win out they could steal the No. 3 seed ahead of the AFC North winner.
The problem? They’re up against Derrick Henry. In 14 games against the Texans, Henry averages over 100 yards per carry and at one stage went over 200 yards in four consecutive games. He has famously had a couple of very quiet games, but Henry has been completely reborn this season. He is second in the NFL rushing standings with 1,636 yards (just 52 yards behind leader Saquon Barkley) and is averaging over 100 yards per game. The Texans defence is solid, but few teams have had answers for Henry this season.
Dalton Schultz over 3.5 receptions
The other problem for the Texans is the devastating injury suffered by wide receiver Tank Dell. It’s the second major injury suffered by Dell with the Texans after he tore his Achilles in his rookie season. You can see the impact the injury had on the team, both from a scheme perspective, and also emotionally. Before the injury, the Texans had scored 16 points and racked up 273 yards in just over a half of football. After that? Just 38 yards. With Dell out we can expect tight end Dalton Schulz to play a key role in keeping the chains moving.
NFL Christmas day Tips
6:00pm Kansas City Chiefs @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Jaylen Warren over 34.5 rushing yards
Xavier Worthy over 45.5 receiving yards
9:30pm Baltimore Ravens @ Houston Texans
Derrick Henry 100+ rushing yards
Dalton Schultz over 3.5 receptions
- A Multi Match Bet Builder with these selections pays at approximately 14/1 with Paddy Power. CLICK OR TAP HERE TO ADD TO YOUR BETSLIP.
*All odds and lines quoted are accurate at time of publication but are subject to change
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