How to Bet on the NFL Christmas Games
There are two NFL Christmas games for fans to enjoy this holiday season. The Steelers host the Chiefs, and the Ravens take on the Texans in Houston. Both games air live on Netflix and will have massive ramifications on this year’s AFC playoff race.
Keep reading to see the latest odds for the Christmas Day NFL games. I will break down the latest odds from top NFL betting sites and give my free betting predictions for both matchups.
Christmas NFL Game Odds
The Christmas Day doubleheader on Netflix features four of this season’s seven AFC playoff teams. Here are the latest NFL odds for Wednesday’s matchups, courtesy of Bovada.
Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers
Team | Point Spread | Moneyline | Total |
Kansas City Chiefs | -3.0 (+100) | -165 | Over 44.0 (-115) |
Pittsburgh Steelers | +3.0 (-120) | +140 | Under 44.0 (-105) |
The Chiefs are one win away from securing the number-one seed in the AFC. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, has lost back-to-back games to the Eagles and the Ravens. A third straight loss will also likely cost the Steelers their chance to win the AFC North this season.
Pittsburgh is the home team, but the Chiefs are the 3.0-point favorites in this game. Kansas City’s defensive line will wreak havoc against a Steelers’ offensive line that is still a player or two away from being great.
The Chiefs also have the benefit of Patrick Mahomes at quarterback. Pittsburgh, conversely, is forced to suffer at the hands of Russell Wilson’s alter ego, Mr. Unlimited. I doubt the Steelers win another game this season, and the Chiefs are a good bet to cover the 3.0-point spread on Wednesday.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Houston Texans
Team | Point Spread | Moneyline | Total |
Baltimore Ravens | -5.5 (-115) | -250 | Over 46.5 (-105) |
Houston Texans | +5.5 (-105) | +210 | Under 46.5 (-115) |
The Ravens will play the Texans in Houston in the second game of the Christmas Day doubleheader. This is a rematch of last season’s divisional-round game between Baltimore and Houston. The Ravens beat the Texans 34-10 in that playoff matchup.
Baltimore is a 5.5-point road favorite in the latest Christmas NFL odds at secure sports betting sites. The Ravens are relatively healthy, and their defense has improved significantly over the last few weeks. On the other hand, Houston lost another receiver to a season-ending injury and has underperformed all season.
The Texans have also already won the AFC South and at best could be the number three seed in the playoffs. Baltimore has plenty to play for, including the AFC North title, and has more momentum heading into this game. The Ravens will win and cover the 5.5-point spread against a depleted Texans team.
Best Christmas Day NFL Prop Odds
In addition to the exciting odds above. Bovada has outstanding prop wagers for the NFL games on Christmas. Here are a few of my favorite prop wagers for this year’s Christmas Day games.
Kareem Hunt Anytime TD Scorer (+175)
The Chiefs signed Kareem Hunt early in the season to replace an injured Isiah Pacheco. Hunt was a reliable option when Pacheco was recovering from his broken leg. Pacheco returned four games ago, but Hunt has remained an essential part of the Chiefs rushing attack.
Hunt has 24 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown in the last two games. He will continue to see playing time this week as the Chiefs try to keep their players fresh in their third game in 11 days.
Bovada lists Hunt at +175 to score a touchdown against Pittsburgh. The Steelers’ defense has fallen off in recent weeks, and their rush defense was nowhere to be seen on Saturday against Baltimore. Considering that, I think Hunt will score at least one against Pittsburgh on Christmas.
Hollywood Brown Over 36.5 Receiving Yards (-115)
Another Chiefs player who will have a relatively productive day against the Steelers on Christmas is Hollywood Brown. The sixth-year wide receiver is familiar with Pittsburgh from his three years spent in Baltimore.
Brown made his season debut for Kansas City last week after missing the first 15 weeks of the season with a shoulder injury. Bovada lists Brown at over/under 36.5 receiving yards in his second game of the season. Brown had five catches for 45 yards on eight targets in his debut.
The Chiefs need to continue integrating Brown into their offense, so I think he will see plenty of targets in this game. Pittsburgh’s pass defense has struggled recently, and many of its top DBs are dealing with injuries. Brown will be able to take advantage of the Steelers’ struggles and cover his receiving yards total on Wednesday.
C.J. Stroud Over 0.5 Interceptions (-115)
The other game on the NFL Christmas doubleheader also has exciting player props. For instance, Bovada lists Texans’ quarterback C.J. Stroud at over/under 0.5 interceptions thrown against the Ravens.
Houston has battled through Stroud’s sophomore slump to win its second consecutive AFC South title. Stroud only threw five interceptions in the regular season last year, but he already has 11 picks this season.
Baltimore has forced just nine interceptions this year, but they do have three picks in their last five games. Also, Stroud will have to throw the ball to receivers he is less familiar with, given Tank Dell’s season-ending injury. Stroud will throw at least one pick on Wednesday.
Lamar Jackson Over 46.5 Rushing Yards (-110)
Finally, Lamar Jackson is available at over/under 46.5 rushing yards for the Ravens’ matchup against the Houston Texans. Other than allowing a league-high 28 passing touchdowns, the Texans have a good pass defense.
Jackson’s dual-threat ability has led him to two MVP awards so far in his career. He has 126 rush attempts this year for 765 yards and is averaging 6.1 yards per carry. Lamar had 11 carries for 100 yards and two touchdowns against the Texans in the playoffs last season.
The Texans’ pass rush will flush Jackson out of the pocket. Houston is also more than familiar with Derrick Henry from the King’s time with their divisional rival, Tennessee. Jackson will need to use his legs to keep the offense balanced, and he will cover his rushing yards total this week.
How to Bet on Christmas NFL Games
Betting on this year’s NFL Christmas games is a fun way to make the most of the holiday doubleheader. Here are three tips to help you make the most of this unique betting opportunity.
Choose a Sportsbook
One of the first and most important steps to being a successful football bettor is picking the right sportsbooks. Many top sports betting sites have exciting odds available for this week’s NFL games on Christmas.
Narrowing the list of potential sportsbooks can be challenging, but it is a necessary step. Once you have a handful of sites you trust, you can compare the NFL odds for this year’s Christmas Day matchups for the best markets.
Understand Betting Types
Another vital step to winning money betting on the Christmas Day NFL games is understanding the betting types available. For instance, basic options like moneylines and point spreads are fun ways for novice bettors to join in on the fun.
Prop wagers are also thrilling ways to wager on this year’s two Christmas NFL games. More advanced betting types, like parlay bets and teaser wagers, also exist.
Understanding betting types is the first step to deciding the types of wagers you want to make. Deciding which bets you want to place will make shopping for the best odds easier. It will also allow you to plan your bankroll.
Set a Budget
Speaking of setting a budget, it is the third step to betting on the NFL Christmas games. You need to set your bankroll so you know how much money you can comfortably bet on the Christmas Day NFL doubleheader.
Not sticking to your bankroll is a rookie mistake that can cost you a lot of money. Following your budget will help save you from other rookie mistakes, such as chasing your losses.
The size of your bankroll will determine the amount you can wager on each bet you place. If your budget is not big enough to cover all the bets you want to place, consider using sports betting bonuses to grow your bankroll.
What Are Your NFL Christmas Games Predictions?
The two NFL Christmas games can shake up the AFC playoff picture. Although all four teams have secured their playoff spots, positioning and the AFC North division crown are still up for grabs.
Check out the guide above for the latest NFL odds for both Christmas Day matchups. Then, create your Bovada account to wager on your favorite bets. New members can use the code BV1000 to get up to $1,000 in bonus funds for betting on the NFL Christmas Day games.