Chiefs-Steelers, Ravens-Texans on Netflix: Four things to watch for in Christmas doubleheader

• WHERE: Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh)
• WHEN: 1 p.m. ET | Netflix, NFL+

1) How will Mahomes' ankle hold up for a second game on short rest? It's folly to question anything Patrick Mahomes is capable of at this point, but Wednesday will present another challenge for his injured ankle just four days from Saturday's win over the Texans. Mahomes, who suffered a mild high ankle sprain on Dec. 15, certainly did not appear to be all that limited this past weekend, passing for 260 yards and one touchdown with zero interceptions. Mahomes even added a 15-yard TD run in the first half -- the longest scoring scamper in the regular season of his career. Key to duplicating that success against the Steelers will be Kansas City's ability to replicate the quick passing game success it enjoyed against the Texans. Mahomes was 17 of 19 for 155 yards with a TD on passes under 2.5 seconds on Saturday, per Next Gen Stats. Mahomes' average time to throw of 2.5 seconds was his fastest since Week 4, 2021, helping to mitigate a Texans pass rush that produced just one takedown in Week 15. A win on Wednesday would clinch the No. 1 seed and a bye for the Chiefs, allowing Mahomes to potentially sit out K.C.'s Week 18 game against the Broncos to ensure he's as healthy as he can be for a run at a three-peat.

2) Pickens' return could boost sliding Steelers. Pittsburgh has really felt standout wide receiver George Pickens' absence these past few weeks. With Pickens sidelined for three games with a hamstring injury, the Steelers' passing attack has cratered. Quarterback Russell Wilson averaged 271 yards per game and 8.7 yards per attempt in his first six starts with Pickens on the field, and Pittsburgh went 5-1 over that span. Without Pickens, Wilson has seen his numbers drop to 167.7 yards per game and 6.2 yards per attempt without Pickens. The Steelers have lost their last two games and are now tied with the Ravens atop the AFC North at 10-5. Head coach Mike Tomlin told reporters on Sunday that Pickens has a "real chance" to play on Wednesday. Tomlin didn't shy away from what Pickens means to the offense, calling the third-year receiver a "splash playmaker" who can open things up for the rest of the offense. He isn't joking. Just look at the last game Pittsburgh had Pickens available: a 44-point explosion with 520 yards of offense in a Week 13 win over the Bengals.

• WHERE: NRG Stadium (Houston)
• WHEN: 4:30 p.m. ET | Netflix, NFL+

1) Will Ravens once again run over Texans? The last time these teams played, Baltimore exploded for 229 rushing yards in a 34-10 win in last season's Divisional Round. Lamar Jackson led the way that day with 100 yards, and while Jackson can still beat teams with his legs, this year he has teamed up with Derrick Henry to form a vaunted backfield duo tailor-made for December football. That was on full display Saturday against the Steelers when Henry bulldozed his way to 162 yards on 24 carries. That performance marked Henry's fourth game of the season with 150-plus rushing yards and seventh with 100 or more as he continues to make his two-year, $16 million deal look like one of the best bargains in the NFL. The Texans have been formidable against the run this year, entering Monday night ranked 11th in the league in yards allowed, but gearing up to stop the Ravens' run game has been a dicey strategy for teams this season, too. Jackson has been arguably even better this season than last year's MVP campaign. On Saturday, he set a franchise record for passing TDs in a season with 37.

2) Depleted Texans looking for marquee win. Houston is guaranteed a home playoff game for a second consecutive season, but a win over the playoff-bound Ravens would do a lot to instill confidence in a squad that is 3-4 since Halloween and just sustained a devastating injury to a key contributor on offense. The Texans are just 1-4 this season against teams with plus-.500 records with the one win coming against the Bills in early October. That version of Texans started that game with its full trio of receivers (Nico Collins, Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell), but only Collins remains after Dell suffered a gruesome knee injury on Saturday. That Dell's injury came on a 30-yard TD catch highlights how important he is for second-yard QB C.J. Stroud. The Texans only mustered three points following Dell's injury. Expect Collins (seven receptions, 60 yards versus K.C.) to see an even larger target share on Wednesday, and for tight end Dalton Schultz (five catches, 45 yards, one TD) to get more opportunities out of necessity. Running back Joe Mixon also has proven to be a threat out of the backfield with 33 receptions for 291 yards and a touchdown.