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Oakland Raiders @ Philadelphia Eagles headlines Chistmas Day NFL action

Tuesday 26 December 2017 06:58, UK

EAST RUTHERFORD, NJ - DECEMBER 17: Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles looks on against the New York Giants in the game at MetLife Stadium on Decemb
Image: Can Nick Foles lead the Eagles to victory again in his second start at QB?

Merry Christmas!

To celebrate, we've given you the gift of another festive NFL double-header, live on Sky Sports, with the Pittsburgh Steelers (11-3) travelling to take on the Houston Texans (4-10), and Oakland Raiders (6-8) on the road facing the Philadelphia Eagles (12-2).

Tune in on Sky Sports Action from 9pm...

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Houston Texans, Sky Sports Action (407), 9pm

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 10: Ben Roethlisberger #7 of the Pittsburgh Steelers drops back to pass in the first quarter during the game against the Baltimor
Image: Can Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers bounce back from their Week 15 defeat to New England?

In a tweet...

The Steelers look for a win in Houston to help them keep pace with the Patriots and take the race for the No 1 seed in the AFC down to the final week.

Live NFL

What's the latest?

Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown will miss their Christmas Day date with Houston after suffering a calf injury in the Week 15 defeat to the Patriots.

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Brown has been ruled out until at least the playoffs but it is not yet known if he'll miss even more playing time.

Meanwhile, five-time Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison's long tenure with the Steelers is over, after the 39-year-old was released this week. Harrison is the franchise's all-time leader in sacks, with 80.5 during his 14 seasons in Pittsburgh but his playing time dipped significantly this season - active in just five of their 14 games.

PITTSBURGH, PA - DECEMBER 17: Antonio Brown #84 of the Pittsburgh Steelers is walked off the field by trainers after landing awkwardly while attempting to
Image: Star receiver Antonio Brown is missing for the Steelers with a calf injury

As for Houston, offensive guard and cancer survivor David Quessenberry has been added to the Texans' roster and could make his regular-season debut with the team on Christmas Day. A sixth-round pick in the 2013 NFL Draft, Quessenberry was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin T-lymphoblastic lymphoma three years ago and has never yet appeared in a regular-season game.

Stat attack

With 101 scrimmage yards on Monday, Le'Veon Bell would reach 8,000 career scrimmage yards in the fewest games (62) in NFL history, beating the mark of Hall of Famer Eric Dickerson (64).

Key battle

DeAndre Hopkins #10 of the Houston Texans
Image: Receiver DeAndre Hopkins has been a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season in Houston

DeAndre Hopkins versus Steelers defense. While the Texans as a whole have had a disappointing season, that's certainly not been the case for their premier receiver. Hopkins has a staggering 1,313 yards and 12 TDs on the season, and that's despite a revolving door at quarterback following rookie starter Deshaun Watson's season-ending injury earlier in the year. Pittsburgh's defense is arguably one of the better units in the NFL but has struggled in recent weeks, failing to concede fewer than 20 points in four straight games.

Game-changer

Le'Veon Bell led the NFL in average yards from scrimmage last season
Image: Steelers running back Le'Veon Bell has had another terrific season

Le'Veon Bell. With Brown out injured, the Steelers running back is set to see even more of the ball than usual. Bell currently leads the NFL with 387 offensive touches this season, 76 ahead of the next-closest players.

Oakland Raiders @ Philadelphia Eagles, Sky Sports Action (407), 1.30am

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 10: Nick Foles #9 of the Philadelphia Eagles prepares to throw a pass during the game against the Los Angeles Rams at the Los A
Image: Nick Foles threw four TDs in his first start of the season against the Giants

In a tweet...

The Eagles look to wrap up the No 1 seed in the NFC win a win at home against Oakland, who are now out of the AFC playoff mix after results went against them on Christmas Eve.

Live NFL

What's the latest?

Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio says there's a "good chance" the team will have receiver Amari Cooper back after he missed last week's game with a sprained ankle. Cornerback David Amerson is listed as doubtful and will likely miss his eighth straight game with a foot injury, while defensive linemen Mario Edwards Jr. and Treyvon Hester have also been ruled out with ankle injuries.

Amari Cooper runs in his touchdown against the Houston Texans
Image: Amari Cooper could be set to return for the Raiders on Christmas Day

As for the Eagles, cornerback Jalen Mills, linebacker Mychal Kendricks, and left guard Stefen Wisniewski have all been listed as questionable going into Monday night's meeting.

Stat attack

Oakland's destructive defensive end Khalil Mack aims for his sixth consecutive game with a sack. Once again, he has recorded 10+ sacks (10.5), for the third season in a row. Mack's 36.5 sacks since the start of the 2015 season are the second-most in the NFL, behind only Chandler Jones (38.5).

OAKLAND, CA - NOVEMBER 27: Khalil Mack #52 of the Oakland Raiders scores after intercepting Cam Newton #1 of the Carolina Panthers in the second quarter o
Image: Khalil Mack has recorded at least 10 sacks for a third straight season

Nick Foles threw his first TD pass with the Eagles in 1,141 days when starting in place of the injured Carson Wentz last week. His last TD pass with Philadelphia was in Week 9 of the 2014 season.

Key battle

The key battle will be how Foles fares versus Mack and that Raiders pass rush. He had a good first outing, but against a poor Giants team, and this one is set to be a somewhat tougher test. Not only does he have Mack to worry about, but Bruce Irvin also has 8.5 QB takedowns on the year, a career-high.

Game-changer

PHILADELPHIA, PA - NOVEMBER 05: Running back Jay Ajayi #36 of the Philadelphia Eagles runs the ball 46 yards for a touchdown against the Denver Broncos du
Image: Running back Jay Ajayi could be set to breakout for the Eagles as the playoffs near

Jay Ajayi. The British-born running back hasn't exactly set the world alight since his blockbuster trade from the Dolphins earlier in the season, topping 10 carries only twice. But, those have come in the last two games, suggesting he could now be set to breakout ahead of the playoffs. It has been a running back by committee approach adopted in Philadelphia so far, with LeGarrette Blount and Corey Clement also getting the touches, but having lost their starting QB for the season, the Eagles will likely lean on the run game even more now down the stretch and into January.

Week 16 continues on Monday with a double-header live on Sky Sports Action, starting with Pittsburgh Steelers at Houston Texans, from 9.30pm

Follow the 2017-18 NFL season with us on Sky Sports and through our website skysports.com/NFL also our app for mobile devices and iPad, or follow our Twitter account @SkySportsNFL

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