On Christmas Day, the Kansas City Chiefs simply outclassed the Pittsburgh Steelers, winning 29-10 in a game that was hardly ever in doubt.

Here are some initial takeaways from another encouraging Kansas City performance:

Now that looked like the old Chiefs’ offense.

The conversation must begin with the tackle position. Since Kansas City inserted Joe Thuney at left tackle, quarterback Patrick Mahomes has finally had reasonable time to operate — and when he does, he once again looks like the greatest quarterback in the world.

Right tackle Jawaan Taylor also deserves credit for playing through injury. Despite a few penalties, Taylor prevented All-Pro pass rusher T.J. Watt from making a significant impact.

The Chiefs secured a franchise-record 15th win, but it still took until Week 17 for Mahomes to notch 2024’s first 300-yard, three-touchdown game. He did it by hitting eight different targets — led by tight end Travis Kelce with 84 yards and a touchdown — and wide receiver Xavier Worthy with 79 yards and a touchdown.

Kelce showcased his trademark yards after the catch, culminating with his 77th career touchdown — a new franchise record for touchdown receptions. Kelce honored team history with a goal-post dunk, even if it cost the team 15 yards.

I think it’s safe to say Andy Reid didn’t mind.

Worthy suddenly looks like a veteran player, and though he didn’t have as much production, wide receiver Hollywood Brown had what I thought was the game’s key catch when the Pittsburgh crowd was rocking on second-and-long in a one-score game late in the third quarter. Brown caught a quick slant before the sticks and earned the first down on an eventual touchdown drive.

The deep 49-yarder to wide receiver Justin Watson was a breath of fresh air — and he also got on the score sheet with an 11-yard dart from Mahomes.

Right now, the Chiefs are the pure definition of peaking at the right time.

Chiefs’ front makes a statement without Chris Jones.

Many suspected Jones’ absence would be the deciding factor against the Steelers, but the defensive line proved otherwise. Working together, the unit combined for 5.0 sacks and eight quarterback hits.

Mike Danna broke out of a midseason slump by getting to Steelers quarterback Russell Wilson twice. George Karlaftis got home for his eighth sack of the season.

We can acknowledge the positive outing for the defense did not come without its concerns. But while Kansas City allowed several third-and-longs through a mix of lapses in intermediate coverages and quarterback scrambles, the scoreboard speaks for itself.

If the Kansas City defense can limit opponents to 10 points a game in the playoffs, it will be lifting its third straight Lombardi Trophy.

To the victor go spoils — and an extreme playoff advantage.

With their win, the Chiefs clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed and first-round playoff bye, and they have done it with a week of the regular season to go, effectively giving them the equivalent of two bye weeks.

And the Chiefs need the rest.

Kelce is 35, Mahomes is working through a high-ankle sprain, Jones’ calf kept him out of the game, and almost every natural tackle (D.J. Humphries, Tayor and Wanya Morris) is banged up. The team listed seven other players on their injury report.

With the offense back on track and the defense making a statement, the Chiefs won’t play another meaningful game for at least three weeks. They will be as fresh for the postseason as they were when they exited training camp, and they will play home at Arrowhead, where they were undefeated this season.

Last Christmas, the season felt in jeopardy. This year, it’s all about anticipating the potential glory to come.