Week 17 of the NFL regular season is upon us. Only two more weeks of regular season picks are left. My Week 16 picks were not optimal. I picked just 9 of 16 games correctly. Through fifteen weeks I’m now sitting at 160-80 with predictions. Let’s see if I can do better than I did last week.
Christmas Day (Early Game) —Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders
Winner: Cowboys
Had events played out differently in the regular season, this game could have been garnered huge playoff implications. Unfortunately,
these NFC East rivals are both eliminated from playoff contention. I think the Cowboys end up winning this one on the road.
Christmas Day (Afternoon Game) — Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
Winner: Lions
The only way the Lions can make the playoffs is by winning out and the Packers losing their final two games. It’s a longshot, but stranger things have happened. Not that he has been great, but J.J. McCarthy won’t be playing in this one. That being said, I think Detroit will win this one easily.
Christmas Day (Night Game) — Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
Winner: Broncos
The Broncos lost to the Jacksonville Jaguars last Sunday. Denver still controls their own destiny and can earn the AFC’s top seed if they beat the Chiefs and Chargers the next two weeks. They’ve got a lot of mistakes to clean up, but I have a feeling they will deliver Broncos Country a present on Christmas night and beat Kansas City.
Saturday Football (Afternoon Game) — Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers
Winner: Texans
Both the Texans and Chargers are poised to make the postseason. The only question is will it be as a wildcard team or division champion. The stakes are huge for both of them. Houston’s defense has been the strength of their team and Justin Herbert has impressed despite numerous key losses to their offensive line. All things considered, I think DeMeco Ryans has his team ready to win this one.
Saturday Football (Evening Game) — Baltimore Ravens at Green Bay Packers
Winner: Packers
The Ravens aren’t out of the playoffs yet, but their chances of making the postseason are slim. Currently, the Packers are the NFC’s seventh seed and can punch their playoff ticket with a win. With a back contusion suffered in Week 16, there is a good chance Lamar Jackson doesn’t play. If so, that should make the Packers heavy favorites in this one. I’m taking Green Bay at home.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Arizona Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals
Winner: Bengals
This Sunday game is an uninteresting matchup with two teams out of playoff contention. After laying a goose egg a few weeks ago, the Bengals kicked things into high gear last weekend and scored a lot of points. I think they will do the same on Sunday, as the Cardinals are in a tailspin having lost seven games in a row. I’m picking Cincinnati.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
Winner: Steelers
The formula is simple for the Steelers to make the postseason. A win over the Browns guarantees them the AFC North title and the opportunity to host a Wild Card round playoff game. Could the Browns play spoiler? Sure, but don’t count on that. I’m confident that Pittsburgh takes care of business here.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans
Winner: Saints
The Saints have won three in a row and are now 5-10 on the season. Meanwhile, the Titans are a 3-12 team coming off a victory against the Chiefs in Week 16. There isn’t anything compelling about this matchup to really write about. That being said, I’ll take New Orleans on the road.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
Winner: Jaguars
The Jaguars earned a playoff berth defeating the Broncos last weekend. They have a path to the AFC’s top seed, though it will take some help. In order for that to happen, beating the Colts who have dropped five games in a row is a must. Based on what I saw against Denver last Sunday, I like their chances against Indianapolis.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins
Winner: Buccaneers
The Buccaneers started off the season hot but have dropped three games in a row. They have to win this game, and the Panthers need to lose against the Seahawks in order to keep their postseason hopes alive. I’m expecting both of those things to happen, with the Week 18 Buccaneers/Panthers matchup deciding who wins the NFC South.
Sunday Football (Late Game) — New England Patriots at New York Jets
Winner: Patriots
The Patriots have a path to the top seed in the AFC. In order for that potentiality to become reality, finding a way to beat the Jets on the road needs to take place. I have no concerns about their ability to do so. I don’t think this game will be close at all. I’ve got New England winning on the road in a landslide.
Sunday Football (Early Game) — Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers
Winner: Seahawks
The Seahawks defied the odds and rallied late to defeat the Rams in Week 16, whilst the Panthers were able to defeat Tampa Bay. Both these teams want this game. Seattle winning would pretty much assure them the top seed in the NFC. A Panthers win would give them a shot at the NFC South title if the Buccaneers wind up losing. A lot is at stake in this one, but I think Seattle gets a huge road win.
Sunday Football (Late Game) — New York Giants at Las Vegas Raiders
Winner: Lions
Sporting 2-13 records, the Giants and Raiders are the worst teams in their respective conferences. The loser of this game will have the upper hand relative to earning the #1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. But maybe something crazy happens and it ends in a tie. Who knows? I don’t really care. I’ll just pick the Giants for the heck of it.
Sunday Football (Late Game) — Philadelphia Eagles at Buffalo Bills
Winner: Bills
Both the Eagles and Bills have clinched playoff berths. Philadelphia won the NFC East and will get to host a playoff game. The Bills aren’t out of the AFC East race yet but need some help for that to happen. I ultimately expect the Patriots to take that division. Even so, I think the Bills beat the Eagles. It should be a fun matchup either way.
Sunday Night Football — Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers
Winner: 49ers
Boasting 11-4 records, the Bears and 49ers are also in the postseason. Each team has a slim path to the top seed in the NFC. What both of them have accomplished this year is impressive. I certainly didn’t have either of them securing 11 wins this season. This might be the most fun matchup of Week 17 and should be a great primetime game for all football fans to enjoy. I’m taking the 49ers in this one.
Monday Night Football — Los Angeles Rams at Atlanta Falcons
Winner: Rams
The Rams definitely need to find a way to win this game after being stunned by the Seahawks in Week 16. Dropping that game plummeted their chances of being the NFC’s top seed. I’ve got Los Angeles winning this one. And guess what? A victory will make the first-round pick they get from Atlanta better in the ‘26 NFL Draft.
