We can consider the trio of holiday games as comparable to the presents one might discover beneath the festive tree or within their holiday stocking.
The second event on the Christmas Day schedule features the Broncos facing the Chiefs—a contest that might have previously sparked interest. However, given the Chiefs’ postseason exit and Patrick Mahomes’ season-ending injury, we might characterize this game as akin to receiving coal in one’s stocking.
It appears the league reserved the least exciting contest for the final slot. The Chiefs frequently appear during prime time, and regardless of personal sentiment, they typically deliver an entertaining performance. This dynamic shifted significantly after Patrick Mahomes sustained an ACL tear. Furthermore, Gardner Minshew II, stepping in for Mahomes, endured a season-ending knee injury himself, barely completing a single half in his initial start last week.
The presumed next player to step in is Chris Oladokun, a seventh-round selection from 2022 who, prior to Minshew’s injury last Sunday, had accumulated only a handful of NFL plays. Although this presents a significant chance for an athlete primarily accustomed to practice squad roles, it seems improbable that he will enable the Chiefs to compete effectively against the formidable Broncos defense. The Chiefs are currently favored by 13 points, marking the widest point spread they have encountered since 1977. There’s no necessity to even pretend excitement for this particular matchup.
Among the half-dozen squads participating on Christmas, the Broncos stand out as the sole team with tangible playoff ambitions remaining. The Broncos retain the possibility of securing the top seed in the AFC, notwithstanding their recent defeat by the Jaguars. They also remain engaged in a contest for the AFC West championship against the Chargers. This specific encounter initially appeared to hold immense significance, with the Chiefs aiming to prolong their remarkable nine-year streak of AFC West dominance against a formidable rival. Ultimately, the game did not unfold as anticipated. Indeed, none of the holiday contests met initial expectations.
