Kansas City #Chiefs will wear a festive uniform patch for the NFL Holiday Remix games | @EdEastonJr
The Kansas City Chiefs are part of a new tradition of having teams play on Christmas Day. The Saturday before, they will receive their unique uniform patch.
To celebrate the occasion, the four competing teams in the NFL Holiday Remix—the Baltimore Ravens, Houston Texans, Kansas City Chiefs, and Pittsburgh Steelers—will wear a festive, holiday-inspired uniform patch during their games on Saturday, Dec. 21, and again on Christmas Day. The patch features the NFL shield backed by two candy canes.
“The NFL on Christmas has become a holiday staple with families coming together to celebrate and watch NFL games,” said Tim Ellis, NFL executive vice president of marketing. “This year, we look forward to the start of a new holiday tradition with Netflix, which will be seen around the world. These holiday-inspired uniform patches are a great touch to mark this special occasion.”
The Chiefs’ matchup with the Steelers on Wednesday begins the first of a three-season partnership with Netflix to broadcast NFL games on Christmas Day. Play-by-play announcer Ian Eagle, analysts Nate Burleson and JJ Watt, and sideline reporters Melanie Collins and Stacey Dales will be on the call.
The Steelers face a grueling 10-day stretch against top contenders, a test that could define their playoff trajectory in 2024.
From December 15th to December 25th, the Pittsburgh Steelers will face one of the toughest 10-day stretches in NFL history, as the Black and Gold take on not one, not two, but three potential Super Bowl contenders during this period. If competition truly breeds excellence, Pittsburgh could emerge from these games completely transformed.
Any team being tasked with playing three games in 10 days is daunting enough, but the Steelers must contend with the 11-2 Eagles, the 8-5 Ravens, and the 12-1 Chiefs with little time to rest, let alone prepare for these matchups.
Fortunately, the Ravens and Chiefs are also scheduled to play three games in 10 days, but their opponents are not nearly as challenging as the Steelers’ gauntlet from Weeks 15 to 17.
NEWS: #Steelers are the only team in the entire NFL who are undefeated this season against teams with winning records.
This stretch has the potential to make or break the Pittsburgh Steelers‘ playoff aspirations in 2024, and I’m confident the Black and Gold will come out stronger than ever. Fans can witness this 10-day test begin in Week 15, when the Steelers take on the Eagles on December 15th at 4:25 PM EST.
Good morning, Winners! Welcome back to the Morning Win. Thanks so much for rocking with us today. We appreciate you.
Do you remember the greatest NBA Christmas commercial of all time? Jingle Hoops. The one you see people post online year after year after year with Steph Curry, Kevin Durant and other NBA stars shooting into hoops with bells attached to them.
It’s one of the most pleasing ads I’ve ever seen. The commercial is a decade old and I remember watching it for the first time like it was yesterday.
In the spirit of our current times, where nothing is original and everything is an iteration of an old thing we cherished, the NBA brought back this commercial. Kind of. Sort of.
It’s not the exact same thing. It’s the Jingle Hoops commercial in stop motion like the old Frosty the Snowman and Santa Claus movies used to be. The concept is the same. At least in the beginning. But then the thing goes off the rails.
Victor Wembanyama comes out of nowhere to block one of the shots. Anthony Edwards shows off his handle on a xylophone. Nikola Jokic and Luka Doncic come out of nowhere on a sleigh. Mike Breen’s head is huge. Kevin Durant is swinging on a line of lights. I don’t know what’s happening.
Guys. The peace and tranquility of the old Jingle Hoops commercial is completely violated. I’m not going to lie.
This was … kind of fun? I hate that I love this.
It ruins the old commercial. But it did it in such a fun and over-the-top way that you don’t mind that it’s doing it. After all, the NBA is at its best when it’s at its zaniest. It doesn’t get zanier than this — at least not for a Christmas commercial.
It’s kind of like in Marvel’s Deadpool and Wolverine movie when they start off the movie by completely desecrating the Logan movie that ended Hugh Jackman’s initial run as Wolverine before he returned to the MCU. I won’t get too deeply into it to avoid spoilers, but listen. Deadpool and Wolverine make no bones about it — the movie doesn’t hesitate in ruining Logan and its perfect ending. It’s not shy about it. It intentionally does it and gets it out of the way early.
That’s kind of what happens here with Jingle Hoops on a much, much, much, much, much smaller scale.
The old Jingle Hoops commercial? It’s ruined. Completely besmirched by this new sham of a spot. But, hey, man. At least this new joint is pretty fun.
Caitlin Clark clears the air
Credit: Kamil Krzaczynski-USA TODAY Sports
Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s rivalry has been a headliner for women’s basketball since their college days. Every time these two and their teams match up, it’s a show.
But Clark, herself, isn’t really buying into the hype. She doesn’t seem to see it as a rivalry at all. And she certainly doesn’t like people pitting her and Reese against one another.
“Let the record show that the rivalry narrative has been debunked. Per Sean Gregory of Time, Clark shared that she never understood why people tried to make it a thing. “I don’t get it at all,” Clark said. “We’re not best friends, by any means, but we’re very respectful of one another. Yes, we have had tremendous battles. But when have I ever guarded her? And when has she guarded me?”
She also explained how Reese’s infamous John Cena celly, which seemingly started the narratives, was a nothing burger and that people ran with it. “I didn’t think it was taunting,” she explained. “It really didn’t bother me… the only thing people cared about was this controversy that was really fabricated and made up, and then that has continued to be the case ever since.”
There you have it, folks. We’re certainly going to still write about their matchups. It will certainly be sold to us as a rivalry. And maybe Clark is downplaying things a bit here.
But she certainly doesn’t seem to take these things as seriously as fans and some media have taken them. Good on her.
Bill Belichick at UNC, but make it a play
(Photo by Steph Chambers/Getty Images)
Charles Curtis wrote Bill Belichick’s UNC recruiting strategy, but did it in play form. Guys. I can’t stop laughing.
I’m sorry, but this is brilliant writing. Please read this. This destroyed me.
Belichick: “Any questions?”
Mom: “Do you think our son will be a starter by his sophomore year?”
Belichick: “We’re on to Cincinnati.”
[Mom and Dad exchange a look of pure confusion.]
Dad: “Uh, what kind of NIL opportunities could you see for him?”
Belichick: “We’re gonna keep that in house.”
[Belichick and the parents stare at each other in silence for another minute. He stands up.]
I would pay money to watch this. Real money.
Quick hits: A non-QB friendly mock draft … The end of an Era
Kansas City #Chiefs coaches, players recall last season’s Christmas Day loss to the Las Vegas #Raiders | @EdEastonJr
The Kansas City Chiefs’ undefeated streak began last season following their Christmas Day loss to the Las Vegas Raiders at Arrowhead Stadium.
The players and coaches have pointed to that moment when the team came together and refocused on their goal of winning Super Bowl LVIII.
“I think more than anything, more than even the play on the field, I think it was just a wakeup call for us to know that we’re not going to be able to just come to the game and win,” said Mahomes during his Wednesday press conference. “We kind of battled through the year, and it was like everybody was just kind of trying to build, especially. I feel like myself; we were just building for the playoffs. We weren’t even worried about the regular season. I think you’ve seen that mentality since then is the guys are really taking every single practice and getting the best out of it so that every single week, we can play our best football, and if we don’t play our best football, we try to get better that next week. I think that’s translated into this season.
The Chiefs appeared lackluster offensively, while the defense held firm for most of the game. However, the unit couldn’t make the necessary stop in the fourth quarter to give the offense the ball back.
“The thing that I remember most is we were in there swinging away, right? It was a pretty tight game but where we kind of were disappointing as a group was when we had to stop them at the end, right? I think we had enough time-outs, and we call it a four-minute defense, right? We didn’t get that done.” said Spagnuolo during his Thursday press conference. “They ripped off a couple of long runs to kind of ice the game which is what you want your offense to do if you’re on their sideline, but we would’ve liked to have rose up somehow and got the ball back to Patrick (Mahomes) one more time. Am I right in saying it was a 20-14 final? Yeah, so if we could’ve got it back to Pat one more time – that’s what I remember. Now, I thought we played, for the most part, pretty good. I think we only gave up six points.“
The Chiefs are heading into Week 8 with the same mindset they adopted after last year’s matchup.
The Pittsburgh Steelers have once again lost out on another All-Pro receiver the team was previously linked to.
Three former All-Pro wide receivers previously linked as Pittsburgh Steelers trade targets have come and gone, with nothing from the Steel City to show for it. The 32-year-old receiver DeAndre Hopkins has found himself a new quarterback to catch passes from, and sadly for all the Russell Wilson fans out there, it isn’t Mr. Unstoppable, but instead three-time Super Bowl MVP Patrick Mahomes.
As if Steelers fans couldn’t fear the Christmas Day matchup with the Kansas City even more, with a current undefeated record of 6-0 on the season, the Chiefs pulled off a blockbuster trade to acquire Hopkins from the Tennessee Titans for a conditional fifth-round pick.
Will Pittsburgh finally stop losing out on the wide receiver trade market and bring a playmaker to a WR-needy Steelers team? While Russ will cook regardless, Steelers GM Omar Khan could set up his QB for success down the stretch with such a trade.
Kansas City #Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce will feature in ‘Hallmark’s 2024 Keepsake Ornament Collection’ | @EdEastonJr
The Kansas City Chiefs players continue to dominate on and off the field, participating in activities that allow them to stand out globally. A particular Pro Bowl tight end adds another unique experience to his popular resume just in time for the upcoming holiday season.
Hallmark’s upcoming Keepsake Ornament Debut event, taking place October 12-20, will unveil 150+ new Keepsake Ornaments, including an ornament of Chiefs star Travis Kelce. The Christmas tree ornament features Kelce receiving the ball for another big play. The holiday decoration makes a statement as fashionable as the famous player whose likeness it captures.
From pop culture favorites to ornaments that capture individual hobbies and life’s most significant milestones, Keepsake Ornaments offers something for every movie buff, sports fan, gamer, and holiday lover.
Hallmark’s new Keepsake Ornaments will be available online and at Hallmark Gold Crown Stores nationwide beginning Saturday, October 12th. Shoppers who visit their nearest Gold Crown Store during the Keepsake Ornament Debut can enjoy additional in-store perks throughout the event, including special offers, bonus points, and gifts with purchase while supplies last.
Hallmark Keepsake Ornament Club members can enjoy exclusive perks like exclusive ornaments and early in-store shopping beginning Friday, October. 11th.
Kansas City #Chiefs team up with Hallmark for a new Christmas movie premiering this winter | @EdEastonJr
The Kansas City Chiefs will be in the holiday spirit for the production of an upcoming Christmas movie. In collaboration with Hallmark, Skydance Sports, and the NFL, the film is titled ‘Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story’ and is part of their 15th annual Countdown to Christmas programming event.
The holiday love story stars Tyler Hynes, Hunter King, and Ed Begley Jr.. It is set to begin production next month, filming in GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium and Kansas City, Missouri, locations. Chiefs president Mark Donovan released a statement on the upcoming film production.
“We are honored to partner with Hallmark on a project as unique as this,” said Donovan. “As a club, we pride ourselves on exploring new ways to grow our brand, as well as connect with new audiences. This partnership unites two passionate fanbases and gives us an opportunity to show Chiefs Kingdom’s energy and tradition on one of the most-watched channels during the holiday season.”
Hallmark chief brand officer Darren Abbott believes the collaboration will highlight the franchise and spirit of the holiday season.
“With Hallmark and the Kansas City Chiefs both homegrown, rooted in values, tradition, and community, there is a special alchemy between these two iconic organizations,” said Abbott. “By blending the warmth of Hallmark storytelling with the excitement of professional football, we are thrilled to give audiences a front-row seat to this community’s spirit, rich traditions, and passionate fans that define Kansas City, all wrapped up in the comforting and uplifting Hallmark way.”
The Chiefs hope for another successful season as they prepare to defend their title and secure the three-peat. A warm holiday movie on the horizon and another Super Bowl will keep Chiefs Kingdom joyful during the holidays.
The Kansas City #Chiefs will face the Pittsburgh #Steelers on Christmas in 2024, and the game will be streamed exclusively on Netflix.
The 2024 NFL schedule is set for official release tonight, but the Kansas City Chiefs have already had a few of their most exciting matchups leaked.
After finding out that the defending Super Bowl champions will face the Baltimore Ravens in Week 1 and the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2, fans were excited to see that the Chiefs are now set to square off against the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas day.
Clearly, the league is giving Kansas City top billing for their title defense campaign. It expects the Chiefs to provide an exceptional experience for viewers at every stage of the 2024 season as they endeavor to win a third consecutive Super Bowl.
Kansas City is expected to play the Christmas game on the road, but their matchups in Weeks 1 and 2 will both be played at Arrowhead Stadium.
No team in the NFL will have a bigger target on its back than the Chiefs, and the late-season matchup against the Steelers should prove to be one of the most exciting games on Kansas City’s schedule.
The Steelers might be celebrating Christmas with the Chiefs this year.
At this point, you have to take all NFL schedule leaks with a grain of salt but this one caught our eye. Pittsburgh radion host Andrew Fillipponi posted on X that he has heard the Pittsburgh Steelers will host the Kansas City Chiefs on Christmas Day this season.
The Chiefs and Steelers know each other well. They have squared off 10 times since 2009 and the Steelers are up 6-5 in the rivalry during that time. The NFL plans to release the full regular-season schedule on Wednesday, May 15.
Hearing the Steelers are gonna host the Chiefs. On Christmas Day. Stay tuned.
— Andrew Fillipponi (@ThePoniExpress) May 14, 2024
The Chiefs are the reigning Super Bowl champions and have become a legitimate NFL dynasty. The Steelers are hoping to return to legitimacy this season and win their first playoff game since 2016 thanks to a complete rebuild of the quarterback depth chart as well as the offensive line.
“No, and here’s why. The amount of work I put in this week leading up to the Jets is probably some of the most I have done in my entire career. The way I was able to go out there and play hard, I can go to sleep knowing I left it all out there on the field.” Allen finished with four tackles and three of the four Commanders quarterback hits.
Allen said he has learned how fans look at it from their perspective of how can the team win over the next ten years. But he has also learned that as an NFL player, the only right way for him to look at it, is he is trying to win right now (this day, this game).
Allen then confirmed that a younger version of himself would have been upset with local fans and local media, wanting the team to lose for a better draft position, etc., but now that he has matured, having been in the NFL since the 2017 NFL draft, those things don’t bother him. He understands the fan base has their perspective, and they need to understand he has a player has his perspective.
As for the Commanders’ two quarterbacks and which should play against the 49ers next Sunday? “Obviously, Sam Howell is struggling, and Jacoby is playing great. Thank God, I don’t get paid to make those decisions. I just focus on what I have to do. Do you move on from him or do you continue to try to work with him (Howell)? I don’t know. That’s a tough question. I don’t think that is really a question I can answer.”
Allen was not being avoidant, he simply is mature and knows there is a time and place for everything.
