The NFL has delivered another exciting Christmas Day schedule for 2023. Three games featuring some of the best players in the league have surely made the end of the regular season thoroughly competitive. However, the most anticipated matchup is undoubtedly the one between the reigning Super Bowl champions, the Kansas City Chiefs, and their AFC West rivals, the Las Vegas Raiders.

This Christmas Day, the Arrowhead Stadium will be lit up in the colors of rivalry. Both teams have a storied history dating back to the days before the merger. And their recent matchups haven’t been stale either. Fireworks are indeed expected when the Chiefs and the Raiders collide. Let’s find out the 5 players you cannot miss to keep an eye on during this massive clash:

Five gridiron giants to look forward to

The most anticipated players who will have the majority of attention on them during this game would be:

Patrick Mahomes

The Chiefs’ quarterback is arguably the best player in the football league right now. Patrick Mahomes has won 2 Super Bowls in his young career, already. And he does not seem like stopping soon with a whopping 25 TDs already this season. The 29-year-old has been the focal point of the Raiders’ trademark nastiness in past seasons, but he does come out on top often.

Maxx Crosby

DE Maxx Crosby seems to have a strong role to play in the said clash. He has butted heads with Mahomes in the past and football fans expect him to show similar competition in this game as well. The 26-year-old is a sack artist with 13.5 sacks to his name with 80 successful tackles. Crosby loves to hunt Mahomes on the field at any cost. His sheer determination is more than enough to watch this game.

Travis Kelce

It has been a wonderful year for Kelce on and off the pitch. While everyone gushes over Mahomes, this 34-year-old has been redefining the ‘tight end’ label. He’s become a magnet for Mahomes’ air balls, receiving 85 times and covering 924 yards this season. The #87 is thriving in the offensive department with 5 TDs to his name as well. Kelce will bring his smooth movements to the field this Christmas Day.

Aidan O’Connell

Though not as accomplished as his counterpart in the Chiefs’ squad, Aidan O’Connell has been maturing wonderfully in his quarterback role this season. His last game is a testimony of his form and elite skills. Scoring 4 TDs against the Chargers, taking his tally to 8 TDs with just two starts to his name.  He’ll be on the mind of the Chief’s defense for this Christmas Day clash.

Josh Jacobs

This 25-year-old RB has been a human runway train on the field this season. Josh Jacobs can be expected to break the tackles with his bulldozer runs and create mayhem in the Chiefs’ backline. He’s having one of the most productive seasons of his young career covering 805 yards and attacking 233 yards with the ball. The youngster also has 6 TDs to his name to boost as well.  And he will surely be looking to make a name for himself in this historic rivalry.

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Both the teams are having different fortunes in the season, as the Chiefs have almost grasped a playoff berth and the Raiders are all but eliminated. This battle will still be worth watching due to the constant challenge each poses in front of the other. The Week 16 game kick-offs on Christmas day at noon are to be played at the Arrowhead Stadium.

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