Chiefs vs. Seahawks score, takeaways: Patrick Mahomes and Co. top Seattle on Christmas Eve, keep pace atop AFC

The Chiefs remain tied with the Bills atop the AFC with a 12-3 record

The Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Seattle Seahawks 24-10 on Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium for a win on Christmas Eve. The Chiefs now stand at 12-3 while the Seahawks drop to under .500 at 7-8. The win helps the Chiefs' pursuit of getting that No. 1 seed in the AFC.

Both teams started three-and-out, but the Chiefs bounced back on their next drive, finding Kadarius Toney for an 8-yard touchdown reception. Jerick McKinnon extended their lead with a touchdown reception in the second quarter. His nine-yard reception from quarterback Patrick Mahomes marked the running back's sixth touchdown in December, the most in the NFL this month.

The Chiefs scored again before halftime, this time on a 47-yard field goal from Harrison Butker. The Seahawks managed to get on the board before the quarter ended with a field goal of their own.

After a quiet third quarter with no scores, Mahomes showed off his athleticism and ability to extend plays with a rushing touchdown in the fourth as he reached the ball toward the pylon. The TD and extra point put the Chiefs up 24-3. The Seahawks managed to scored their first touchdown of the game -- a six-yard pass to Noah Fant. It represented the final score for either team as Kansas City held on for the 24-10 win.

Why the Chiefs won

The Chiefs are clearly the better team, and that was evident Saturday. Having Mahomes at quarterback is such an advantage, especially against a mediocre defense. 

Tight end Travis Kelce had two huge catches that set up a touchdown and ended the day with six receptions for 113 yards. Mahomes finished 16 of 28 for 224 yards and two touchdowns. Between Kelce and Mahomes, Seattle's defense was left with no easy task. The Chiefs made three trips to the red zone and got into the end zone each time. 

The Chiefs defense did their job, shutting the Seahawks out up until the final second in the second quarter, when the Seahawks kicked a field goal. The defense set the Chiefs up for good field position multiple times and kept Seattle off the board and out of the end zone for the majority of the game. 

Why the Seahawks lost

The Seahawks struggled from the very first drive of the game, when they started the day going three-and-out. Very few highlights followed and their inability to get to the red zone did not help their chances. When they finally did get into the red zone, their offense just did not have an answer for the Chiefs.

Geno Smith finished 25 of 40 for 215 yards and one touchdown. He also threw a costly interception in the end zone on a pass intended for Marquise Goodwin.

Seattle's rushing game was more productive than Kansas City's, but it lacked the ability to make the big plays needed to score throughout the game. The Seahawks did finally find the end zone, but scored a touchdown with just over two minutes left to play. 

Turning point

The Chiefs had control of the game from pretty much the start, but they really separated themselves with that second touchdown -- a 9-yard pass to McKinnon. The TD put them up 14-0 and the drive showed how versatile and dominant the Chiefs can be.

Play of the game

Mahomes' ability to extend plays will never not be impressive. On a scramble that few quarterbacks could successfully achieve, Mahomes is able to somehow get in the end zone. This time, Mahomes, being chased, reached the ball toward the pylon and just made it into the end zone, extending the Chiefs' lead to 24-3. 

Here is a look at the touchdown:

What's next

The Kansas City Chiefs will host the Denver Broncos in Week 17. Quarterback Russell Wilson, who has struggled all season, was sidelined with a concussion last week, but will return to start in Denver's Christmas Day game against the Los Angeles Rams.

The Seattle Seahawks will host the New York Jets on New Year's Day. The Jets are still going through quarterback issues, with Zach Wilson getting booed and benched last week for practice squad quarterback Chris Streveler. Mike White has been out with a ribs injury, leaving the Jets desperately trying to find a consistent answer at QB.

[Dec 24, 2022 at 3:58 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

TURNOVER ON DOWNS: The Chiefs fourth down attempt fails and the Seahawks get the ball on a turnover of downs. The Seahawks get the ball at their own 36 yard line.

[Dec 24, 2022 at 3:50 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

TOUCHDOWN SEAHAWKS: Seattle scores their first touchdown of the game in the fourth quarter. Smith finds Fant for six yards and six points. The extra point is good. 23-10 Chiefs

[Dec 24, 2022 at 3:46 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

The Seahawks go for it on third down and get the first with a 39-yard reception from Smith to Parkinson.

[Dec 24, 2022 at 3:40 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

TOUCHDOWN: Mahomes scrambles, keeps it and gives the extra effort to extend the ball into the end zone. The extra point is good. 24-3 Chiefs

[Dec 24, 2022 at 3:38 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Here is a look at the Smith interception:

[Dec 24, 2022 at 3:38 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Travis Kelce with two huge back-to-back plays, showing just why he is the star of this offense.

[Dec 24, 2022 at 3:34 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

INTERCEPTION: Smith's pass intended for Goodwin is intercepted by Thornhill in the end zone.

[Dec 24, 2022 at 2:29 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

FIELD GOAL Seahawks: The Seahawks get on the board with one second left in the half. 17-3 Chiefs

[Dec 24, 2022 at 2:26 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Penalties are killing the Chiefs on this drive as the Seahawks get closer to scoring. The Chiefs need to clean it up especially in these fast game scenarios where the opposing offense is trying to score as the half is coming to an end.

[Dec 24, 2022 at 2:24 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Smith looks comfortable on a huge play to Metcalf as the Seahawks try to get points on the board before the half. The 35-yard catch is followed by a defensive pass interference call that puts the Seahawks close to the red zone.

[Dec 24, 2022 at 2:21 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Geno Smith is taken down, but there is a flag on the play. A holding penalty on the defense takes away the sack.

[Dec 24, 2022 at 2:15 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

FIELD GOAL CHIEFS: The Seahawks hold the Chiefs to a field goal, which is a win for them. Butker's 47 yard field goal extends the Chiefs lead. 17-0 Kansas City

[Dec 24, 2022 at 2:01 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS: Jerick McKinno scores his sixth touchdown of December, which is the most among that span in the NFL. The extra point is good. 14-0 Chiefs

[Dec 24, 2022 at 1:20 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

TOUCHDOWN CHIEFS: Kansas City is on the board first with a Kadarius Toney 8-yard reception. The extra point is GOOD. 7-0 Chiefs

[Dec 24, 2022 at 1:11 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

The Seahawks also start off with a three-and-out.

[Dec 24, 2022 at 1:05 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

The Chiefs first offensive drives ends in a three-and-out.

[Dec 24, 2022 at 12:52 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Seahawks inactives:

• Tyler Lockett (WR)
• Artie Burns (CB)
• Ryan Neal (SS)
• Jake Curhan (OT)
• Al Woods (DT)
• Daviyon Nixon (DT)
• Wayne Gallman Jr. (RB

[Dec 24, 2022 at 12:52 pm ET · Shanna McCarriston]

Chiefs inactives:

• Shane Buechele (QB)
• Joshua Kaindoh (DE)
• Geron Christian (OT)
• Darian Kinnard (OT)
• Malik Herring (DE)
• Khalen Saunders (DT)