NFL Christmas Day predictions and best bets

NFL stars and musical royalty combine for a Christmas Day spectacular as four teams with Super Bowl aspirations are joined on streaming platform Netflix by pop icon Beyonce, who headlines the half-time show when Houston Texans host Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens, aiming to take a step towards the AFC North title after Saturday's victory over divisional rivals Pittsburgh Steelers, are narrow favourites leaving punters asking the question: Can the Texans hold 'em or will Lamar Jackson's Baltimore win again?

Before Queen Bey takes to the field in her hometown, the king of the NFL quarterbacks, Patrick Mahomes, will look to lead the 14-1 Kansas City Chiefs to their 15th win of the regular season when they head to Heinz Field to face the Steelers.

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How to watch the Christmas Day NFL in the UK

Both NFL Christmas Day games will be streamed exclusively on Netflix. Kick-off times are as follows:

Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers
Netflix, 6pm Wednesday (Christmas Day)

Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens
Netflix, 9.30pm Wednesday (Christmas Day)

What will Beyonce sing first?

No UK bookmakers are offering odds on Beyonce's first song but US operator FanDuel make it 2-1 that the Cowboy Carter singer opens up with that album's smash hit, Texas Hold 'Em. Country legend Dolly Parton is odds-on to join Beyonce on stage and it's 10-1 that the duo open the half-time show with a rendition of Jolene, which Beyonce covered on Cowboy Carter.

NFL Christmas Day Best bets

Pittsburgh Steelers +2.5
2pts Evs BoyleSports

Baltimore Ravens -3
3pts 8-11 Coral, Ladbrokes

Chiefs at Steelers predictions

The first half of the NFL's Christmas Day double-header takes place at Heinz Field where Pittsburgh Steelers host Kansas City Chiefs.

Pittsburgh suffered a setback in the AFC North race as they fell to a 34-17 defeat against the Baltimore Ravens last Saturday but Mike Tomlin’s team have an excellent record as underdogs and can cause the Chiefs plenty of problems.

Despite stretching their record to 14-1 with a Week 16 victory over Houston, Kansas City continue to look vulnerable on offence, ranking in the bottom ten in passing yards per attempt and putting up the second-fewest yards per carry.

Pittsburgh's defence have recorded the third-most interceptions this season and could force Patrick Mahomes, who is playing with an ankle injury, into making mistakes.

While the Steelers offence have stalled over the last couple of weeks, they could be boosted by the return of top wide receiver George Pickens, who said on Monday that he has a "real chance" to play.

Pickens' possible return adds another dimension to Pittsburgh’s passing attack and should inject more life into Russell Wilson and the Steelers offence.

Wilson has 15 touchdowns and just four interceptions this season and with the two-pronged rushing attack of Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren stepping up, the Steelers should be able to move the chains.

Taking on the current Super Bowl holders is always a daunting prospect but Pittsburgh should relish a chance to upset the odds.

Verdict by Andrew Wilsher

The lowdown

Venue Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh
Surface Grass
Weather Cloudy, 3C
Vegas line Kansas City -2.5
Points line 42.5

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Ravens at Texans predictions

It's hard to know what to make of a midweek Christmas contest but home advantage might not favour the Houston Texans, who have wrapped up the AFC South title and are understandable underdogs against the in-form Baltimore Ravens.

The Ravens are still in a battle with the Steelers to win the AFC North and, unlike the Texans, who lost Tank Dell to injury last weekend and haven’t impressed recently, they are one of the healthiest teams in the NFL at this stage of the regular season.

The Ravens defeated the Texans twice last season - once in the wildcard round - by a combined score of 59-19, keeping CJ Stroud in check in what was an otherwise brilliant rookie campaign from the Houston quarterback.

Stroud has not been nearly as impressive this season and while he’s still making exceptional plays to keep his team moving forward, the Texans' offence just aren’t doing enough to suggest they'll match Baltimore.

They’ve surpassed 30 points in two of 15 games this season and wide receiver injuries are only making matters worse. Running back Joe Mixon has been a great addition but the Ravens boast the best rushing defence in the NFL.

On the other side of the ball, explosive offences have given Houston trouble this season, and arguably no offence packs as much of a punch as that of the Ravens, who rank first in yards per play and third in points per play.

While the Texans will fight hard at home, it's hard to see them keeping Lamar Jackson and his team at bay for four quarters.

Verdict by Chris Farley

The lowdown

Venue NRG Stadium, Houston
Surface Artificial
Weather Roof expected to be closed
Vegas line Baltimore -3
Points line 47.5

Sky Bet are offering new customers the chance to get involved in the Christmas Day NFL action.

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