Heading into Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season, several teams are looking to get presents during the holiday weekend. The Denver Broncos and Seattle Seahawks can both earn the #1 Seed in the AFC and NFC, respectively, if they win this week and their conference rivals lose. In addition, several division titles could be won this week. In the AFC, the Pittsburgh Steelers can win the AFC North with a win, the Jacksonville Jaguars can win the AFC South with a win and a Texans loss, and the New England Patriots can win the AFC East with a win and a Bills loss. On the NFC side, the Chicago Bears can win the NFC North with a win over the 49ers, and the Carolina Panthers can win the NFC South with a win and a Buccaneers loss.
#32 New York Giants
Last week New York Giants performance on offense demonstrated that the Giants were ready to accept their fate as the worse team in the NFL. By accepting that reality, the Giants put themselves in the best position to rebuild their team by earning the first overall draft pick in 2026. Although this week, the Giants acceptance of their losing efforts will be put to the test when they face a Las Vegas Raiders team that has also been struggling to compete on a weekly basis. The biggest question will be how far are the Giants willing to go to lose this game to the Raiders.
#31 Las Vegas Raiders
Last week, the Las Vegas Raiders put together one of their best performances in several weeks, and they nearly broke their long losing streak against the Houston Texans. The return of quarterback Geno Smith gave the Raiders offense a big boost, and Las Vegas also benefited from a breakout game by rookie running back Ashton Jeanty. This week, the Raiders are hosting a Giants team that appeared to go out of their way on offense to avoid messing up their inside track to the first pick in the 2026 draft. That means that the Raiders have a great chance to snap their nine-game losing streak.
#30 Arizona Cardinals
The Arizona Cardinals are most likely the next team to take a loss to the Cincinnati Bengals. This week, the Cardinals take their seven-game losing streak on the road to Cincinnati. Over the last few games, the Cardinals and quarterback Jacoby Brissett have posted solid offensive numbers but have failed to translate those stats into wins. In addition to the Cardinals’ ability to score consistently on offense, they will also need to deal with weather conditions in Southern Ohio in late December.
#29 New York Jets
The New York Jets quarterback Brady Cook will get another chance to get his first win as the starting quarterback for the Jets this week. Last week, Cook was sacked eight times against the New Orleans Saints. This week will not be any easier as they face another division leader when the New England Patriots travel to New York. For the Jets to get a win this week, they will need to play their best game of the year and force the Patriots to play their worst game of the year.
#28 Cleveland Browns
Last week, the Cleveland Browns did their best to play a spoiler role against the Buffalo Bills. However, the Browns came up short after quarterback Shedeur Sanders threw two interceptions that allowed the Bills to take the lead and seal a victory. This week, the Browns will face a Pittsburgh Steelers team looking to clinch the AFC North division championship and secure a playoff spot. The Browns’ best bet for upsetting the Steelers is to pressure Aaron Rodgers with their excellent pass rushers, including NFL-sack master Myles Garrett.
#27 Washington Commanders
The Washington Commanders have taken a beating this season, including their quarterbacks. Washington’s starting quarterback, Jayden Daniels, and Marcus Mariota are both out for Week 17. That opens the door for Josh Johnson to get his first start this season for the Commanders. The downside is that Johnson gets his first start against a Dallas Cowboys defense that has a strong pass rush. For the Commanders to have a chance to win this game, they will need to lean on their running game and use play-action to open up the passing game for Johnson.
#26 Tennessee Titans
Over the last few weeks, the Tennessee Titans have put together solid performances while winning two of their last three games. While those wins have moved the Titans out of position to get the first overall pick in the NFL Draft for a second season in a row, they are making progress on the field. This week, the Titans will face another team that has recently hit its stride during the last few weeks of the season when they host the New Orleans Saints. New Orleans has won three games in a row, but if the Titans can find a way to slow down the Saints’ offense, they should have a chance to get their 4th win of the season.
#25 Kansas City Chiefs
Last week, the Kansas City Chiefs seemed to shut down their operations for the season by benching many of their top available playmakers. In addition, the Chiefs lost quarterback Gardner Minshew to a knee injury against the Tennessee Titans. That means 3rd string quarterback Chris Oladokun will get his first career start this week against the elite pass rush of the Denver Broncos. The Broncos will come into this week’s game looking to bounce back from their loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, and that puts the Chiefs straight in the Broncos’ bullseye for Week 17.
#24 Miami Dolphins
Last week, Miami Dolphins rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers started off his NFL career with a multiple-turnover game, allowing the Cincinnati Bengals to blow out the Dolphins. This week, the Dolphins will start Ewers once again, but this time they are hosting the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. While Tampa Bay is fighting for its playoff lives, the Dolphins are simply playing for pride for the last few weeks of the 2025 season. On the other hand, the Dolphins have the potential to be explosive on offense, with De’Von Achane and Jaylen Waddle capable of making big plays when given the chance.
#23 Atlanta Falcons
After officially getting eliminated from contention to earn a spot in the playoffs, the Falcons have found a way to win two games in a row. Last week, the Falcons used their offensive weapons and aggressive defense to defeat the Arizona Cardinals on the road. This week, the Falcons will face a Los Angeles Rams team that is trying to win the NFC West and earn the #1 Seed in the NFC. Falcons quarterback Kirk Cousins and the Falcons running game, led by Bijan Robinson, will need to dominate the time of possession if they want to have a chance to win their 3rd game in a row.
#22 Dallas Cowboys
Last week, the Dallas Cowboys were officially eliminated from the playoffs after losing to the Los Angeles Chargers. In the second half of last week’s game, the Cowboys’ offense got completely shut down by the Chargers, and Dallas did not score any points in the 3rd and 4th quarters. This week, the Cowboys face a Commanders team that has also been eliminated from the playoffs. Although this week the Cowboys will have a big advantage over the Commanders due to Washington starting first-time starting quarterback Josh Johnson. Dallas tends to play well during nationally televised games, and this week the Cowboys get a chance to put on a good performance on Christmas Day.
#21 Cincinnati Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have a chance to put together two wins in a row this week. Cincinnati will host the Arizona Cardinals, and both teams have struggled with injuries and inconsistent offensive play. Defensively, the Bengals have shown some improvement, including last week, when they forced the Miami Dolphins to turn the ball over on four consecutive drives. This week, the Bengals offense should be able to put together a big game against the Cardinals’ defense, and if Cincinnati can avoid turning the ball over, they should get their 6th win of the season.
#20 New Orleans Saints
The New Orleans Saints have won three games in a row, and the Saints have a great chance to win their 4th in a row when they travel to face the Tennessee Titans. New Orleans’ offense has been successful because they has been able to take care of the ball, and rookie quarterback Tyler Shough has been stepping up as an effective leader for the Saints. This week, if the Saints can continue taking care of the ball and force the Titans to turn the ball over, they can pick up their 6th win of the 2025 season.
#19 Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have fallen off a cliff since their bye week this season. For the last seven weeks, the Buccaneers have lost six of their last seven games. Last week, the Buccaneers came up short in a head-to-head battle with the Carolina Panthers for control of the NFC South. Tampa Bay played well against the Panthers until Baker Mayfield threw his only interception of the game with 42 seconds left, allowing the Panthers to secure another win and take over the lead in the NFC South. The only way the Buccaneers can get back to the playoffs is to win out and have the Panthers lose out during the last two weeks of the 2025 NFL season.
#18 Indianapolis Colts
The Indianapolis Colts have fallen flat after starting the 2025 NFL season with an 8-2 record. Since then, the Colts have lost five games in a row, and they have lost all of their starting quarterbacks to injury this season. Those quarterback injuries led the Colts to bring Philip Rivers out of retirement to help them finish the 2025 season. Since returning to the field, Rivers has specialized in running a high-efficiency passing game that lacks a legitimate deep threat. While technically the Colts still have a small chance to make the playoffs, they will need to win out, and this week they will need to defeat a Jacksonville Jaguars team that is one of the hottest in the NFL.
#17 Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens missed a big opportunity last week when they blew a two-score lead over the New England Patriots. To make matters worse for the Ravens, the Pittsburgh Steelers picked up another big win, and now the Steelers have full control of the AFC North division. While the Ravens are not officially eliminated from the playoffs, they will need to win their last two games, and the Steelers will need to lose theirs. Baltimore’s task will be difficult, as it must travel to Green Bay this week to face a Packers team still fighting for the last playoff spot in the NFC. On the other hand, the Ravens should benefit from the absence of Packers quarterback Jordan Love after he went into the concussion protocol last week.
#16 Minnesota Vikings
While the Minnesota Vikings have already been eliminated from playoff contention, they have a chance to play a spoiler role against their division rival, the Detroit Lions. Last week, the Vikings traveled to New York and fought hard to pick up a win over the Giants. During that game, the Vikings lost quarterback J.J. McCarthy to a fractured hand, so this week, Max Brosmer will start another game for the Vikings. For Minnesota to have a chance to upset the Lions, they will need a big game from their defense, which has played well this season despite Minnesota’s inconsistency on offense.
#15 Detroit Lions
The Detroit Lions are in a must-win situation this week against the Minnesota Vikings. Last week, the Lions’ traditionally strong running game was shut down by the Pittsburgh Steelers. When Detroit cannot run the ball effectively, it puts much more pressure on quarterback Jared Goff to win with his arm rather than using play-action plays to create larger passing windows. For the Lions to beat the Vikings, they need running backs Jahmyr Gibbs and David Montgomery to get going early so Goff can make these throws downfield and help the Lions put points on the scoreboard.
#14 Green Bay Packers
The Green Bay Packers have a great chance to clinch their spot in the NFC playoffs this week by picking up a win against the Baltimore Ravens. However, the Packers will have to get that win without quarterback Jordan Love, which puts the spotlight on backup quarterback Malik Willis. There is a chance that the Packers could catch a big break if Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson is unable to play due to a back contusion from last week. It will be critical for the Packers to protect the football and force turnovers to pick up a win at home this week and secure their playoff spot.
#13 Carolina Panthers
The mission is easy for the Carolina Panthers: win out, and they will win the NFC South and move on to the playoffs. However, this week the Panthers will face a Seattle Seahawks team that has climbed to the top of the NFC West standings and is playing for a chance to be the #1 Seed in the NFC. Carolina has won games lately thanks to their defense forcing turnovers and their offense managing the game. This week, the Panthers will need to establish their run game with running back Rico Dowdle to give quarterback Bryce Young a chance to manage the offense against the Seahawks.
#12 Pittsburgh Steelers
Last week, the Pittsburgh Steelers picked up a big victory in Detroit. The Steelers are now in a position to clinch the AFC North division and clinch a spot in the playoffs by winning this week. Pittsburgh should have a good chance of getting that win while facing the Cleveland Browns. During the last few games, the Steelers and quarterback Aaron Rodgers have played disciplined football on offense. In addition, the Steelers’ running game was dominant against Detroit, and the Pittsburgh defensive front completely shut down the Lions’ rushing attack, holding them to just 15 rushing yards. This week, the Steelers will need to shut down the Browns’ running game and force Browns quarterback Shedeur Sanders to make plays on the run.
#11 Philadelphia Eagles
Last week, the Philadelphia Eagles successfully clinched the NFC East division championship with a win over the Washington Commanders. This week, the Eagles will go on the road to face the Buffalo Bills in a game that could be a potential preview of the Super Bowl this season. Philadelphia will get a boost with the return of defensive lineman Jalen Carter and offensive tackle Lane Johnson. If the Eagles can get running back Saquon Barkley going early against a Bills defense that has struggled to stop the run, the Eagles need to be able to contain Bills quarterback Josh Allen and force him into situations where he will need to force the ball downfield.
#10 Houston Texans
After having a slow start to the 2025 NFL season, the Houston Texans have fought their way back into the race for the playoffs, and they have a chance to still make a run for the AFC South championship. To have a chance to win the South division, they will need to win out, and they will need the Jacksonville Jaguars to lose out. While that could happen, the Texans have a better chance of securing a wild-card berth. If the Texans can get in the playoffs, they could give them a great chance to make a run for their first appearance in a Super Bowl as long as they can keep quarterback C.J. Stroud healthy.
#9 Los Angeles Chargers
Last week, the Los Angeles Chargers were able to clinch a berth in the AFC playoffs by picking up a dominant win over the Dallas Cowboys. The Chargers still have a chance to make a run for the AFC West division championship and obtain the #1 Seed in the AFC. But to accomplish those goals, the Chargers will need to win out, and this week that could be a challenge against the Houston Texans. It will be vital for the Chargers to protect quarterback Justin Herbert against the Texans’ pass rush this season.
#8 San Francisco 49ers
The San Francisco 49ers are one of five teams that are in position to earn the #1 Seed in the NFC if they can win out this season. In addition to winning, they will need the Seattle Seahawks to lose at least once in the next two games. Along with trying to beat out the Seahawks for the top spot in the NFC, the 49ers are also in a dead heat race with the Los Angeles Rams and the Chicago Bears. The 49ers have gotten themselves to this position by winning their last five games in a row. This week, the 49ers will go head-to-head with the Chicago Bears, and they will need quarterback Brock Purdy to put on another performance as he did in Week 16.
#7 Buffalo Bills
The Buffalo Bills have recently put together a four-game winning streak, and by stacking those wins, they have put themselves back into the race to win the AFC East division. To win a 6th straight division title, the Bills need to win out, and they need the New England Patriots to lose at least one more game. This week, the Bills face a big challenge against the Philadelphia Eagles. Buffalo’s defense will need to step up and stop the Eagles running back Saquon Barkley to have a chance to win this game. In addition, Bills quarterback Josh Allen needs to put together another great performance against an elite Eagles defense.
#6 New England Patriots
If the New England Patriots defeat the New York Jets and the Buffalo Bills lose to Philadelphia, the Patriots will win their first division championship since 2019. To do that, the Patriots simply need to play a solid game against a Jets team that has been beaten up and will send 3rd-string quarterback Brady Cook to face the Patriots’ hungry defense. As long as the Patriots’ offense, including quarterback Drake Maye and the Patriots’ running game, can protect the ball while finishing drives, New England should pick up another win.
#5 Los Angeles Rams
Last week, the Los Angeles Rams missed a big opportunity to clinch the NFC West, and now they find themselves trailing the Seattle Seahawks in both the division and the conference standings. This week, the Rams fired their special-teams coordinator, Chase Blackburn, after a Seahawks punt return for a touchdown triggered the Seahawks’ unlikely comeback victory. Ben Kotwica was promoted to replace Blackburn and take the reins of the Rams’ special teams units. This week, the Rams face an Atlanta Falcons team that has been dangerous at times. If the Rams can protect the ball and shut down the Falcons’ running game, the Rams should bounce back for an important win this week.
#4 Chicago Bears
The Chicago Bears have a chance to win the NFC North division and clinch a playoff spot with a win over the San Francisco 49ers. On the other hand, the 49ers are also trying to get a win to compete for the NFC West division championship and get back in the race for the #1 Seed in the NFC. With both teams needing to win, this battle in San Francisco should have the same electric atmosphere as a playoff game. Winning this game would be a major accomplishment for the Bears under first-year head coach Ben Johnson.
#3 Seattle Seahawks
Last week, the Seattle Seahawks survived quarterback Sam Darnold’s bad habit of melting down in big games, specifically against the Los Angeles Rams. Until the middle of the 4th quarter, it felt like the Seahawks would come up short against the Rams once again. But a punt return for a touchdown triggered a huge momentum shift for the Seahawks in which they scored two touchdowns and two 2-point conversions to force overtime. Then they scored one more touchdown and a 2-point conversion to secure a one-point win over the Rams. This week, the Seahawks can move themselves one step closer to winning the NFC West and the #1 Seed in the NFC, but they will have to go on the road and defeat a hungry Carolina Panthers team.
#2 Denver Broncos
Heading into last week, the Denver Broncos were the overwhelming favorite to win the AFC West and clinch the #1 Seed in the AFC. However, the Broncos ran into a problem when they faced a Jacksonville Jaguars team playing great football in the second half of the 2025 season. By losing to the Jaguars, the Broncos left the door open for the Los Angeles Chargers to slip by them and win the division. On the other hand, the Broncos face a Kansas City Chiefs team that has been decimated with injuries and will be starting their 3rd-string quarterback. If the Broncos’ defense can terrorize the Chiefs’ rookie quarterback, and Broncos quarterback Bo Nix can continue to play sound football, the Broncos should pick up a big win.
#1 Jacksonville Jaguars
During the second half of the 2025 NFL season, the Jacksonville Jaguars have catapulted themselves to the top of the AFC South division, and they are in position to make a run for the #1 Seed in the AFC. Jaguars quarterback Trevor Lawrence has ignited this Jaguars team by playing some of the best football he has played in his relatively short career in the NFL. If Lawrence can continue to push the Jaguars to be a dominant offense and can avoid the turnovers that plagued his performances in the first half of the season, the Jaguars have a chance to be the best team in the AFC. This week, they have a chance to eliminate the Indianapolis Colts from the playoffs by picking up a big win on the road.
