Week 17 delivers the most unique schedule of the season. The NFL plays three games on Christmas Day for the first time ever. Netflix streams two games. Prime Video gets the nightcap. Saturday brings two massive playoff battles.
The Seahawks control the NFC’s number one seed after their overtime thriller against the Rams. The Bears clinched the NFC North with an overtime victory over Green Bay. The Jaguars shocked Denver in a 34-20 upset that flipped the AFC playoff picture.
Division titles hang in the balance. Wild card spots will be clinched. Teams playing for their postseason lives take the field. Here are my picks for all 16 Week 17 games.
NFL Week 17 Quick Picks Table
| Date | Matchup | Time (ET) | Pick | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu, Dec 25 | Cowboys @ Commanders | 1:00 PM | Cowboys | 24-17 |
| Thu, Dec 25 | Lions @ Vikings | 4:30 PM | Lions | 31-20 |
| Thu, Dec 25 | Broncos @ Chiefs | 8:15 PM | Broncos | 30-10 |
| Sat, Dec 27 | Texans @ Chargers | 4:30 PM | Chargers | 27-23 |
| Sat, Dec 27 | Ravens @ Packers | 8:00 PM | Packers | 24-20 |
| Sun, Dec 28 | Seahawks @ Panthers | 1:00 PM | Seahawks | 27-17 |
| Sun, Dec 28 | Cardinals @ Bengals | 1:00 PM | Bengals | 34-24 |
| Sun, Dec 28 | Steelers @ Browns | 1:00 PM | Steelers | 27-13 |
| Sun, Dec 28 | Jaguars @ Colts | 1:00 PM | Jaguars | 31-20 |
| Sun, Dec 28 | Buccaneers @ Dolphins | 1:00 PM | Buccaneers | 24-17 |
| Sun, Dec 28 | Patriots @ Jets | 1:00 PM | Patriots | 27-10 |
| Sun, Dec 28 | Saints @ Titans | 1:00 PM | Saints | 27-20 |
| Sun, Dec 28 | Giants @ Raiders | 4:05 PM | Giants | 20-17 |
| Sun, Dec 28 | Eagles @ Bills | 4:25 PM | Bills | 28-24 |
| Sun, Dec 28 | Bears @ 49ers | 8:20 PM | 49ers | 34-27 |
| Mon, Dec 29 | Rams @ Falcons | 8:15 PM | Rams | 31-23 |
Record Prediction: 12-4
We also made a Free Printable NFL Week 17 Pick’em Sheet for you. Hope you enjoy it.
Christmas Day Games
Dallas Cowboys (6-9) @ Washington Commanders (4-12)
Kickoff: Thursday, December 25, 1:00 PM ET
TV: Netflix
Location: Northwest Stadium, Landover, MD
Christmas Day kicks off with an NFC East rivalry on Netflix. Both teams are eliminated but division games always bring intensity.
Dallas got destroyed 34-17 by the Chargers. The Cowboys are 6-9 and going nowhere. Washington lost to Philadelphia 29-18. The Commanders are 4-12 with Jayden Daniels out for the season.
Netflix wanted a marquee matchup. They got two bad teams playing out the string. Dallas is slightly better at every position. The Cowboys win but this won’t be pretty.
Pick: Cowboys 24, Commanders 17
Detroit Lions (8-7) @ Minnesota Vikings (6-9)
Kickoff: Thursday, December 25, 4:30 PM ET
TV: Netflix
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
Detroit lost 29-24 to Pittsburgh. The Lions are 8-7 and fighting for playoff survival. Minnesota beat the Giants 16-13. The Vikings are 6-9 and eliminated.
Jared Goff threw three touchdowns against the Steelers. Jahmyr Gibbs ran for 90 yards. The Lions offense can score with anybody.
Detroit needs this win desperately. Goff carves up Minnesota’s secondary at U.S. Bank Stadium.
Pick: Lions 31, Vikings 20
Denver Broncos (12-3) @ Kansas City Chiefs (6-9)
Kickoff: Thursday, December 25, 8:15 PM ET
TV: Prime Video
Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
Denver is 12-3 after losing to Jacksonville 34-20. The Jaguars shocked the Broncos. Bo Nix threw two interceptions.
Tennessee destroyed Kansas City 26-9. The Chiefs are 6-9 and eliminated. Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew both tore their ACLs. Chris Oladokun starts on Christmas. He’s a former undrafted free agent.
Denver won’t let two losses in a row happen. Nix throws four touchdowns against a broken Chiefs defense.
Pick: Broncos 30, Chiefs 10
Saturday Games
Houston Texans (10-5) @ Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)
Kickoff: Saturday, December 27, 4:30 PM ET
TV: NFL Network
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
Houston beat Las Vegas 23-21 on a last second field goal. The Texans are 10-5 and have won eight straight games. Their defense is elite.
The Chargers destroyed Dallas 34-17. Los Angeles is 11-4 and rolling. Justin Herbert threw three touchdowns and no interceptions.
This is a huge AFC playoff seeding game. The Chargers are 6-2 at home this season. Herbert is playing through a broken left hand but you can’t tell.
The Texans pass rush is terrifying. But Los Angeles has momentum after dominating the Cowboys. Herbert makes the plays when it matters.
The Chargers win a close one at SoFi Stadium. Herbert outduels C.J. Stroud in a playoff preview.
Pick: Chargers 27, Texans 23
Baltimore Ravens (7-8) @ Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)
Kickoff: Saturday, December 27, 8:00 PM ET
TV: Peacock
Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
Baltimore’s playoff hopes are on life support. The Ravens lost to New England 28-24 on Sunday Night Football. Lamar Jackson threw two interceptions. Baltimore is 7-8 and running out of time.
Green Bay lost to Chicago 22-16 in overtime. Jordan Love threw for 280 yards but couldn’t finish. The Packers are 9-5-1 and still in playoff position.
Both teams need this win. The Ravens must have it to stay alive. Green Bay clinches a wild card spot with a victory.
Lambeau Field in late December is brutal for visitors. Love makes the plays when it matters. The Packers defense steps up at home.
Green Bay wins and punches their playoff ticket. Baltimore’s season ends in heartbreak.
Pick: Packers 24, Ravens 20
Sunday 1 PM ET Games
Seattle Seahawks (12-3) @ Carolina Panthers (8-7)
Kickoff: Sunday, December 28, 1:00 PM ET
TV: CBS
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
Seattle won the game of the year. The Seahawks beat the Rams 38-37 in overtime on Thursday Night Football. Sam Darnold threw the game-winning touchdown in OT.
The Seahawks are 12-3 and control the NFC’s number one seed. A first-round bye is within reach. Seattle can’t afford to slip up.
Carolina shocked Tampa Bay 23-20. Bryce Young threw two touchdowns. The Panthers are 8-7 and still alive in the NFC South race.
Seattle is playing on short rest after Thursday night. But the Seahawks are too good. Darnold protects the football and Seattle wins comfortably.
Pick: Seahawks 27, Panthers 17
Arizona Cardinals (3-12) @ Cincinnati Bengals (5-10)
Kickoff: Sunday, December 28, 1:00 PM ET
TV: FOX
Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Arizona lost to Atlanta 26-19. The Cardinals are 3-12 and have lost eight straight games. Jacoby Brissett threw three interceptions.
Cincinnati destroyed Miami 45-21. Joe Burrow threw five touchdowns. The Bengals are 5-10 but playing spoiler down the stretch.
Burrow is putting up MVP numbers even though Cincinnati is eliminated. The Bengals offense ranks top five in the NFL over the last month.
Arizona can’t stop anybody. The Cardinals defense is bottom three in every category. Burrow carves them up for four touchdowns.
Pick: Bengals 34, Cardinals 24
Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) @ Cleveland Browns (3-12)
Kickoff: Sunday, December 28, 1:00 PM ET
TV: CBS
Location: Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland, OH
Pittsburgh beat Detroit 29-24 in a huge road win. The Steelers rushed for 180 yards. They are 9-6 and control their playoff destiny.
Cleveland lost to Buffalo 23-20. Shedeur Sanders threw for 240 yards and two touchdowns. The Browns are 3-12 and playing for draft position.
Pittsburgh dominates this rivalry. The Steelers have won five straight against Cleveland. They make it six in a row.
The Browns can’t stop the run. Pittsburgh pounds the ball down their throat. The Steelers win easily on the road.
Pick: Steelers 27, Browns 13
Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) @ Indianapolis Colts (8-8)
Kickoff: Sunday, December 28, 1:00 PM ET
TV: FOX
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, IN
Jacksonville shocked the NFL world. The Jaguars beat Denver 34-20 in a massive upset. Trevor Lawrence threw four touchdowns. Jacksonville is 11-4 and rolling.
Indianapolis got destroyed by San Francisco 48-27 on Monday Night Football. Philip Rivers threw three interceptions. The Colts are 8-8 and their playoff hopes are fading.
Lawrence is playing elite football right now. The Jaguars defense forced three turnovers against the Broncos. Jacksonville can clinch the AFC South with a win.
The Colts need better quarterback play. Rivers doesn’t have the arm strength anymore. Jacksonville dominates in Indianapolis.
Pick: Jaguars 31, Colts 20
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) @ Miami Dolphins (6-9)
Kickoff: Sunday, December 28, 1:00 PM ET
TV: FOX
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
Tampa Bay lost to Carolina 23-20 in a devastating upset. The Bucs are 7-8 and their playoff hopes are on life support. Baker Mayfield threw two interceptions.
Miami got destroyed by Cincinnati 45-21. Quinn Ewers started at quarterback and threw four picks. The Dolphins are 6-9 and eliminated.
Both teams are desperate. The Bucs need this win to stay alive. Mayfield bounces back after a rough Week 16.
Miami can’t stop anybody defensively. The Dolphins are done for the season. Tampa Bay takes care of business on the road.
Pick: Buccaneers 24, Dolphins 17
New England Patriots (12-3) @ New York Jets (3-12)
Kickoff: Sunday, December 28, 1:00 PM ET
TV: FOX
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
New England is 12-3 after beating Baltimore 28-24 on Sunday Night Football. Drake Maye threw three touchdowns. The Patriots are tied for the AFC’s best record.
The Jets lost to New Orleans 29-6. New York is 3-12 and has quit on the season. Aaron Rodgers will play but nobody cares.
The Patriots need to win out to secure the AFC’s number one seed. New England takes care of business against a terrible Jets team.
Maye carves up the Jets secondary. The Patriots score 30 points for the third straight week. This is target practice.
Pick: Patriots 27, Jets 10
New Orleans Saints (6-9) @ Tennessee Titans (3-12)
Kickoff: Sunday, December 28, 1:00 PM ET
TV: CBS
Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
New Orleans destroyed the Jets 29-6. The Saints are 6-9 and have won four straight games. Tyler Shough continues to impress at quarterback.
Tennessee beat Kansas City 26-9. The Titans are 3-12 but have shown more life lately. Cam Ward threw two touchdowns against the Chiefs.
The Saints are the hottest team nobody is talking about. New Orleans has a plus-42 point differential during their four-game winning streak.
Tennessee is playing hard but they are outmatched. The Saints make it five straight wins. Shough keeps the momentum going.
Pick: Saints 27, Titans 20
Sunday Late Games
New York Giants (2-13) @ Las Vegas Raiders (2-13)
Kickoff: Sunday, December 28, 4:05 PM ET
TV: CBS
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas, NV
Both teams are 2-13. The loser clinches the number one overall pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. The Raiders want Fernando Mendoza. The Giants already have Jaxson Dart.
Minnesota beat New York 16-13. The Giants are terrible. Dart threw two interceptions.
Las Vegas lost to Houston 23-21 on a field goal as time expired. The Raiders have dropped nine straight games.
This is the ultimate tank bowl. The Giants want to build something positive. Dart needs experience.
New York wins an ugly game. The Raiders get the consolation prize of the number one pick.
Pick: Giants 20, Raiders 17
Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) @ Buffalo Bills (11-4)
Kickoff: Sunday, December 28, 4:25 PM ET
TV: FOX
Location: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
Philadelphia beat Washington 29-18. The Eagles are 10-5 and have clinched a playoff spot. Jalen Hurts threw three touchdowns.
Buffalo escaped Cleveland 23-20. Josh Allen threw for 280 yards and two scores. The Bills are 11-4 and chasing the Patriots in the AFC East.
This is a potential playoff preview. Both teams are playing excellent football. Buffalo is 7-1 at Highmark Stadium this season.
The cold weather favors the Bills. Allen is playing MVP football at home. The Eagles keep it close but Buffalo wins.
Pick: Bills 28, Eagles 24
Sunday Night Football
Chicago Bears (11-4) @ San Francisco 49ers (11-4)
Kickoff: Sunday, December 28, 8:20 PM ET
TV: NBC/Peacock
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
Chicago clinched the NFC North with a 22-16 overtime win against Green Bay. Caleb Williams threw the game-winning touchdown in OT. The Bears are 11-4 and have a first-round bye locked up.
San Francisco destroyed Indianapolis 48-27 on Monday Night Football. Brock Purdy threw five touchdowns. The 49ers are 11-4 and chasing the Seahawks in the NFC West.
This is a massive NFC playoff seeding game. The Bears already have their division clinched. The 49ers need every win to catch Seattle.
San Francisco is too good at home. Christian McCaffrey and George Kittle create mismatches. Purdy throws four touchdowns.
The 49ers win a shootout under the lights. Chicago keeps it close but San Francisco pulls away late.
Pick: 49ers 34, Bears 27
Monday Night Football
Los Angeles Rams (11-4) @ Atlanta Falcons (6-9)
Kickoff: Monday, December 29, 8:15 PM ET
TV: ESPN/ABC
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
The Rams lost a heartbreaker to Seattle 38-37 in overtime on Thursday Night Football. Matthew Stafford threw for 380 yards and three touchdowns. Los Angeles is 11-4 and one game behind the Seahawks.
Atlanta beat Arizona 26-19. The Falcons are 6-9 and eliminated. Kirk Cousins threw two touchdowns.
The Rams are 4-0 this season after losses. Los Angeles bounces back every single time. They won’t let the NFC West slip away.
Stafford has Puka Nacua and Cooper Kupp healthy. The Rams offense can score with anybody. Los Angeles dominates on Monday night.
The Rams keep pace with Seattle. Stafford throws for 350 yards and four touchdowns.
Pick: Rams 31, Falcons 23
Week 17 Storylines to Watch
Christmas Day Triple Header
The NFL makes history with three games on Christmas Day. Netflix streams its first NFL games ever. The Cowboys visit Washington at 1:00 PM. The Lions travel to Minnesota at 4:30 PM.
Prime Video gets the nightcap. Denver visits Kansas City at 8:15 PM. All three games air on Thursday with no Friday football.
The league takes full advantage of Christmas falling on a Thursday. College football is done for the season. The NFL owns the entire sports calendar.
Seahawks Control NFC Number One Seed
Seattle won the game of the year against the Rams in overtime. Sam Darnold threw the game-winning touchdown. The Seahawks are 12-3 and control the NFC’s top seed.
A win over Carolina clinches the number one seed if other results fall right. Seattle gets a first-round bye and home field advantage throughout the playoffs.
The Seahawks defense ranks among the conference’s best. Darnold is having a career resurgence. Seattle is peaking at the perfect time.
Bears Clinch NFC North
Chicago beat Green Bay 22-16 in overtime to clinch the division. Caleb Williams threw the game-winning touchdown in OT. The Bears are 11-4 and have locked up a first-round bye.
Williams is playing like Offensive Rookie of the Year. The Bears defense ranks top five in the NFL. Chicago is a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
The Bears can lock up the number two seed with a win over San Francisco. They control their playoff destiny.
Jaguars Shock the NFL
Jacksonville pulled off the upset of the season. The Jaguars beat Denver 34-20 on the road. Trevor Lawrence threw four touchdowns.
The Jaguars are 11-4 and lead the AFC South. They can clinch the division with a win over Indianapolis. Lawrence is playing at an MVP level.
Jacksonville’s defense forced three turnovers against the Broncos. The Jaguars are peaking at the right time. Don’t sleep on this team.
Key Injuries
Patrick Mahomes and Gardner Minshew – Kansas City Chiefs
The Chiefs lost both quarterbacks to torn ACLs. Mahomes went down in Week 15. Minshew tore his ACL in Week 16 against Tennessee.
Chris Oladokun will make his NFL debut on Christmas. He’s a former undrafted free agent. Oladokun has never thrown a pass in a regular season game.
The Chiefs are 6-9 and eliminated from the playoffs. Kansas City’s dynasty ends after ten straight postseason appearances.
Jordan Love – Green Bay Packers
Love played through pain in the overtime loss to Chicago. He threw for 280 yards but couldn’t finish. Love is questionable for Saturday night.
Malik Willis could start against Baltimore if Love can’t go. The Packers need their franchise quarterback to beat the Ravens.
Lamar Jackson – Baltimore Ravens
Jackson threw two interceptions against New England. He’s dealing with a back injury. Jackson is questionable for the Packers game.
The Ravens are 7-8 and desperate. Baltimore must beat Green Bay to stay alive. A loss eliminates them from playoff contention.
Philip Rivers – Indianapolis Colts
Rivers threw three interceptions against San Francisco. The 44-year-old doesn’t have the arm strength anymore. He’s a shell of his former self.
The Colts are 8-8 and their playoff hopes are fading. Indianapolis needs better quarterback play. Rivers might be done after this season.
Playoff Picture Impact
The Broncos, Seahawks, Jaguars, Bears and Patriots have clinched playoff spots. Several other teams can clinch in Week 17.
The Seahawks clinch the NFC’s number one seed with a win over Carolina and other results. Seattle gets a first-round bye and home field advantage.
The Patriots need to beat the Jets to maintain their tie for the AFC’s best record at 12-3. New England controls the AFC East. Win out and they secure the top seed.
The Jaguars clinch the AFC South with a victory over Indianapolis. Jacksonville leads the division by one game. Trevor Lawrence can lock it up.
The Ravens must beat Green Bay to stay alive. Baltimore is 7-8 and on the playoff bubble. A loss eliminates them from postseason contention.
The Packers clinch a wild card spot with a win over the Ravens. Green Bay is 9-5-1 despite injuries. A victory punches their playoff ticket.
The Rams need to beat Atlanta and hope Seattle loses. Los Angeles trails by one game in the NFC West. The division race goes down to Week 18.
