The NFL schedule this week is unique with the National Football League taking full advantage of Christmas Day and no […]
The NFL schedule this week is unique with the National Football League taking full advantage of Christmas Day and no major college football on Saturday. As a result, NFL Week 17 delivers three games on Thursday, two on Saturday and then a slimmer Sunday slate followed by things closing out with Monday Night Football.
Let’s dive into our NFL Week 17 predictions, delivering picks for every matchup from the NFL Christmas Day triple-header to Monday Night Football.
Dallas Cowboys 28, Washington Commanders 17
A Christmas Day matchup between the Dallas Cowboys and Washington Commanders seemed like a dream for Netflix. Now, there is a chance that Josh Johnson is the Commanders’ starting quarterback in Week 17 with Jayden Daniels out and Marcus Mariota dealing with a hand injury. So, we get a matchup between an explosive Cowboys’ offense and a defense that has allowed a 110.0 passer rating, 247.8 passing yards per game, and 2.1 passing touchdowns per game. We cannot even get excited about the possibility of a shootout given that Johnson might be starting at quarterback for Washington.
Detroit Lions 27, Minnesota Vikings 14
One theme with the Christmas Day games on the NFL schedule this week, injuries to quarterback. Minnesota Vikings signal-caller J.J. McCarthy injured his throwing hand on Sunday, putting his status in doubt for this Thursday matchup. That could mean that Minnesota is forced to start Max Brosmer, who has a 0-4 TD-INT ratio this season with 5 sacks taken and a 41.1 passer rating. If Brosmer starts, the Detroit Lions win this one convincingly.
Denver Broncos 31, Kansas City Chiefs 10
As if things were not bad enough for the Kansas City Chiefs after Patrick Mahomes suffered an ACL tear, backup quarterback Gardner Minshew also suffered a suspected ACL tear in his first start on Sunday. Consequently, Kansas City will be forced to roll with former UDFA Chris Oladokun as its starting quarterback against one of the league’s best defenses. This is also a short week, so it is a safe bet that the Chiefs will sit any injured players. This is all a recipe for a one-sided victory for the Denver Broncos that could get ugly by the third quarter.
Houston Texans 17, Los Angeles Chargers 13
In a rematch of the AFC Wild Card Round matchup from January, in which Justin Herbert was picked off four times, this should be one of the most intriguing games in Week 17. The Houston Texans have the best pass rush in the NFL and are facing an injury-decimated Los Angeles Chargers’ offensive line that allowed 28 sacks (4.7 per game) from Weeks 9–15. Now, Houston is coming off a narrow victory over Las Vegas, and Jesse Minter’s defense will find its own ways to pressure C.J. Stroud. However, Houston’s massive advantage in the trenches against the Chargers’ offensive line feels like the X-factor that will determine this game.
Baltimore Ravens 24, Green Bay Packers 17
We could be seeing a ton of number two quarterbacks drawing the start in NFL Week 17. Lamar Jackson (back) and Jordan Love (concussion) are very uncertain to play on Saturday night in this clash between the Green Bay Packers and Baltimore Ravens. A win by Green Bay would clinch a playoff spot and, coincidentally, help send Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers to the postseason. However, if Malik Willis (injured throwing shoulder) starts, this feels like the kind of game where Baltimore follows the game plan that the Carolina Panthers used to beat Green Bay, dominating with the power run game.
Cincinnati Bengals 35, Arizona Cardinals 28
There should be plenty of scoring on Sunday between the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals. Already fielding a bottom-10 defense, Arizona lost two key players (Garrett Williams and Walter Nolen) to season-ending injuries this past week. Meanwhile, the Bengals have had one of the league’s worst defenses all year, and they rank 32nd in the NFL versus tight ends. It should be a shootout in Cincinnati, but the better quarterback pulls it out.
Pittsburgh Steelers 23, Cleveland Browns 17
The Pittsburgh Steelers rode a 230-yard rushing performance to a victory over the Detroit Lions this past week. We see no reason to deviate from that game plan, as the Cleveland Browns have allowed 163.3 rushing yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry in the last three weeks. Plus, with the Browns losing Quinshon Judkins to a devastating injury, this offense will get even worse.
New Orleans Saints 24, Tennessee Titans 20
The New Orleans Saints are rolling right now, riding a three-game winning streak with a +30 point differential. Defensively, the success dates back even further, as this unit has allowed just 15.8 points per game over its last six contests. While the Tennessee Titans have shown a bit more life as of late, the better roster and coaching staff will pull this one out to make it four consecutive victories.
Jacksonville Jaguars 27, Indianapolis Colts 17
The Jacksonville Jaguars’ defense has looked like one of the best in the AFC lately, with Trevor Lawrence playing like an MVP candidate and the unit riding a dominant run. On the other side, the Indianapolis Colts’ franchise is limping to the finish line following a second-half collapse that will likely keep them out of the playoffs. Jacksonville should win this one comfortably.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 27, Miami Dolphins 21
One game of Quinn Ewers was enough to see that he is not the answer to the Miami Dolphins’ quarterback problems in 2026. Right now, Miami’s issue is that it is short-handed defensively and does not have a passer who can really get the team back in the game when it falls behind by two scores. That is the type of situation the Dolphins could find themselves in against a Tampa Bay Buccaneers squad that is in desperation mode.
New England Patriots 28, New York Jets 10
The New York Jets have seemingly thrown in the towel on the season, so Drake Maye and the New England Patriots will happily take advantage of it. This pick doesn’t require much analysis, as Maye will carve up New York defensively and the Jets offense will continue to be stagnant. Thus, a blowout win for New England.
Seattle Seahawks 24, Carolina Panthers 14
The Seattle Seahawks, coming off their biggest win of the season and a few extra days of rest, are now in control of the NFC’s number one seed and a first-round bye. They also have a defense well-equipped to neutralize the Carolina Panthers. Fortunately for Carolina, a loss in Week 17 would still put them in a position where they can win the NFC South with a victory in the regular-season finale over the Buccaneers.
New York Giants 20, Las Vegas Raiders 13
Jaxson Dart and the young New York Giants will be trying to create something positive to build off of in Week 17. On the other side of the field, it is a Las Vegas Raiders team that clinches the first pick in the 2026 NFL Draft with a loss. If there is one thing that could propel Las Vegas to a victory, it would be Ashton Jeanty absolutely feasting on a bottom-five Giants’ run defense. However, New York will be able to pressure Geno Smith, and we expect those sacks to turn into a takeaway that allows the Giants to win.
Philadelphia Eagles 27, Buffalo Bills 24
Entering Week 17, the Buffalo Bills have surrendered 143.6 rushing yards and 1.7 rushing touchdowns per game with a 5.3 yards-per-carry average in the last 10 contests. This is a great opportunity for a resurgent Philadelphia Eagles offense – 152.8 rush ypg and 5.0 ypc in last four weeks – to exploit Buffalo’s biggest weakness. Plus, Philadelphia’s defense is getting Jalen Carter back for Week 17 and this unit is perfectly equipped to shut down Josh Allen through the air.
San Francisco 49ers 28, Chicago Bears 27
Coming off a monumental comeback win at Soldier Field, the Chicago Bears now have a chance to clinch the NFC North crown in Week 17. They do not necessarily match up super well against Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle in Kyle Shanahan’s offense, but the San Francisco 49ers do have one of the highest turnover rates in the NFL. We expect a back-and-forth game, but late defensive mistakes from Chicago result in a 49ers win.
Los Angeles Rams 31, Atlanta Falcons 21
The last time the Los Angeles Rams suffered a heartbreaking loss, they beat the brakes off the Cardinals. In fact, Los Angeles is 4-0 coming off losses this season. This should be a get-right game for Los Angeles defensively, with the ability to heat up an immobile Kirk Cousins resulting in four-plus sacks and win number 12 of the season for the Rams.
Related Headlines
Category: General Sports
