Was it a Merry Christmas for KC Chiefs? Here are the grades from game vs. Steelers

Chris Jones missed his first game this season, but the Chiefs’ defense — and passing game — excelled in a 29-10 victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers on Christmas Day.

Five sacks, two takeaways and constant harassment of Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson told the story of Wednesday afternoon’s NFL Week 17 game.

Patrick Mahomes surpassed 300 yards passing for the third time this season as the Chiefs clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed and improved to 15-1.

Their 15 victories in the regular season are a club record.

Here’s our report card for Wednesday’s game, with a quick look ahead to KC’s regular-season finale in Denver:

KC STAR OF THE GAME

What a day for Travis Kelce. His receiving touchdown in the fourth quarter gave him 77 for his career, a Chiefs record.

He also became one of just three tight ends in NFL history to surpass 1,000 receptions. Kelce finished with eight receptions for 84 yards.

Next: The Chiefs will conclude the regular season with a trip to Denver to play the Broncos on Jan. 4 or Jan. 5. The game day and time, and broadcast information, will be determined on Sunday.

REPORT CARD

Passing offense: A

Patrick Mahomes came out hot with touchdown passes on the Chiefs’ first two series. Xavier Worthy got the first.

Justin Watson was the hero on the second, not only catching the 11-yard score but hauling in a 49-yard bomb three plays earlier.

Worthy continues to become a bigger part of the offense, finishing this holiday game with eight receptions.

Right tackle Jawaan Taylor was back after missing the final 10 snaps of last week’s victory over the Texans, but he was called for a holding penalty on TJ Watt. That one wiped out a first down.

For the day, Taylor drew four penalties, including three holding calls.

Mahomes ran his consecutive-passes-without-an-interception streak to 23. He threw a toss-up pick on a two-point conversion attempt, but conversion attempts don’t count in overall passing stats.

Mahomes’ most impressive pass in Pittsburgh Wednesday? A 14-yarder to Samaje Perine that he delivered with a back-handed flip. Perine had fallen and had to get up, then turn, to make the catch.

Rushing offense: C

Nice path for Kareem Hunt on his 2-yard run — with Mike Caliendo and Kelce providing the big blocks. The Chiefs’ longest rush, 12 yards, came from Mahomes.

Passing defense: A’

Sacks on the first two series forced the Steelers to punt twice. Mike Danna was credited with the first, George Karlaftis got the second.

The Steelers’ third series ended with safety Justin Reid’s second interception of the year, this one in the end zone. The Chiefs entered the game with just three sacks when Chris Jones doesn’t play (he missed this game with an injury).

Danna added a second sack in the third quarter, and KC native and K-State product Felix Anudike-Uzomah sacked Russell Wilson with a nice rush in the fourth quarter. Turk Wharton also recorded a sack.

Besides Reid’s pick, Trent McDuffie forced a fumble and Nick Bolton was on the spot for the recovery.

Joshua Williams delivered a terrific pass breakup just before halftime, and rookie safety Jaden Hicks grows more confident by the week.

Rushing defense: C

Jones’ absence seemed to be a factor in the rush defense early.

The Chiefs entered the game with the NFL’s third-rated rushing defense, but Jaylen Warren was having his way early. The Steelers finished with 156 rushing yards, but the Chiefs won’t apologize for this effort.

Special teams: C

Some good and some bad here. Chiefs celebrated the 12 days of Christmas with 12 men on the field after forcing a Steelers punt. Pittsburgh got the ball back but didn’t score.

Nikko Remigio set up the Chiefs’ first touchdown with a 33-yard punt return. But his second one nearly became a disaster when he fumbled. The ball bounced off Leo Chenal’s back and into the arms of KC teammate Deon Bush, who recovered it.

Steelers kicker Chris Boswell doinked a 41-yard field goal but Reid was lined up in the neutral zone. Boswell nailed the re-kick from 36.

Harrison Butker went 1-for-2 on 48-yard extra-point attempts. Yes, 48: The long PATs followed separate celebration/unsportsmanlike flags on Worthy and Kelce.