The National Football League introduced a new holiday-themed patch for the matchup on Saturday between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Houston Texans. The patch features a pair of candy canes alongside the classic NFL logo, adding a festive touch to the game.

The Chiefs, currently competing for the top overall seed in the AFC playoffs, are looking to secure a victory against the Texans, who hold a record of 9-5 and aim to improve their positioning in the playoff landscape. While Houston has already clinched the AFC South, they are currently the No. 4 seed, which would set them up for a potential Wild Card Round matchup against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens. The Texans will face Baltimore shortly after, on Christmas Day. Meanwhile, the Chiefs are also set to play on Christmas against the Pittsburgh Steelers, marking their second instance this season of playing three games within a span of 10 days.

Chiefs' star defensive tackle Chris Jones expressed his concerns about the compressed schedule, particularly regarding the necessity of a bye week. Star quarterback Patrick Mahomes echoed similar sentiments, acknowledging the physical toll of playing multiple games in quick succession. However, a victory against the Texans, combined with a loss by the Buffalo Bills to the New England Patriots, could allow the Chiefs to secure the top seed in the AFC, rendering their Christmas Day game potentially inconsequential.