The NFL has two skills thrusting it to the center of American sports: its ability to own whatever day of the week it chooses, and its ability to make unfathomable amounts of money.
So much money, in fact, that they can buy the opportunity to ruin Christmas for two massive fanbases.
On Wednesday, the Pittsburgh Steelers will play host to the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens will visit the Houston Texans. Half of those teams will spend the holiday unhappy, and 212 players will have to make alternative Christmas plans.
The Steelers aren’t expected to win in Week 17, and a loss would extend their losing streak to a concerning third game. With AFC North title hopes on the line and a gauntlet looming in the form of the AFC playoff picture, it feels like even the league itself is working against Pittsburgh…