NFL Week 17 schedule rankings and predictions

There will be plenty on the line from top to bottom of the schedule rankings in Week 17. The worst game of the week will feature teams playing for the first pick in the 2026 NFL draft. Yes, the Raiders and Giants duel in Las Vegas as the have-nots hope to have first crack at college talent in April. When it comes to serious business, some contests will shape the playoff picture, from winning divisions to postseason positioning. Excitement is always in the cards, except when Arizona plays the Bengals.

16. New York Giants at Las Vegas Raiders: CBS, Dec. 28, 4:05 p.m.

This should actually be the No. 1 game because the loser is the winner and will have the first pick in the NFL draft. Prediction: Giants 10, Raiders 7

15. Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders: Netflix, Dec. 25, 1 p.m.

Yeah, it is a rivalry and nothing is at stake unless you have players on your Fantasy Football team. Prediction: Cowboys 27, Commanders 23

14. Arizona Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals: FOX, Dec. 28, 1 p.m.

Another game where teams are playing for draft position and not much else. Prediction: Bengals 37, Cardinals 34

13. New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans: CBS, Dec. 28, 1 p.m.

A few weeks ago this looked like a game for the top pick. The Saints have found the winning groove and the Titans have somehow played their way out of it, including topping the Chiefs. Prediction: Saints 24, Titans 13

12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins: FOX, Dec. 28, 1 p.m.

Gloom and doom over this Sunshine State matchup. Tampa Bay has been playing poor football and the Dolphins just gave up 45 to the Bengals. The Bucs must have this one. Prediction: Bucs 24, Dolphins 18

11. Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings: Netflix, Dec. 25, 4:30 p.m.

The Lions' playoff hopes are slim and both of these teams have had dim seasons. Stunning how Detroit went from white-hot to ice cold. Prediction: Lions 30, Vikings 20

10. Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs: Prime Video, Dec. 25, 8:15 p.m.

The Chiefs are down to their third string QB or deeper. Denver is actually a double-digit favorite at Arrowhead. How the mighty have crumbled. Prediction: Broncos 27, Chiefs 3

9. Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns: CBS, Dec. 28, 1 p.m.

A rivalry game as Myles Garrett chases the sack mark. Will Aaron Rodgers do what Brett Favre did for Michael Strahan? Unlikely. The Steelers would clinch the AFC North title with a win. Cleveland would like nothing more than to play spoiler. Prediction: Steelers 17, Browns 13

8. Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts: FOX, Dec. 28, 1 p.m.

The Jaguars look for their 12th win. Talk about a surprise team that keeps flying under the radar. Liam Coen appreciates the lack of spotlight that comes with being from a "small market." Ha! Prediction: Jaguars 23, Colts 17

7. New England Patriots at New York Jets: FOX, Dec. 28, 1 p.m.

A win here and the Pats are AFC East champions. The Jets are so done it should not be close. Prediction: Patriots 27, Jets 7

6. Los Angeles Rams at Atlanta Falcons: ABC/ESPN, Dec. 29, 8:15 p.m.

The Rams have to win because the NFC West is a rugged division. They will have know what the Seahawks and 49ers have done so their focus can be on the Falcons and stepping up to the task. Prediction: Rams 31, Falcons 14

5. Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers: NFL Network,Dec. 27, 4:30 p.m.

Excellent matchup between teams with playoff dreams. The Texans' defense will test Justin Herbert in every way. Don't discount the Chargers' defense, which can give C.J. Stroud issues. Prediction: Texans 24, Chargers 23

4. Baltimore Ravens at Green Bay Packers: Peacock, Dec. 27, 8 p.m.

Both teams desperately need it but the Ravens have put themselves in a position where winning might not help. Keep an eye on the status of Jordan Love and Lamar Jackson. Both QBs were injured in Week 16. Prediction: Packers 20, Ravens 16

3. Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers: NBC, Dec. 28, 8:20 p.m.

All sorts of playoff implications and battles for NFC positioning in this game. Teams that have come back from off years in 2024 to play excellent football. Great game. Exciting matchup. Prediction: 49ers 23, Bears 20

2. Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers: CBS, Dec. 28, 1 p.m.

Don't laugh. The Seahawks are playing to remain ahead of the Rams and the Panthers need the game to stay ahead of the Buccaneers. Yes, it has come to this. The Panthers in Week 17 are playing in a key game. Prediction: Seahawks 26, Panthers 16

1. Philadelphia Eagles at Buffalo Bills: FOX, Dec, 28, 4:25 p.m.

Big-time matchup in cold weather as the NFC East champs duel the team that is hoping to somehow win its first Super Bowl. Prediction: Bills 33, Eagles 28

This article originally appeared on The List Wire: NFL Week 17: Schedule rankings and predictions