2025 NFL Week 17 Preview and Predictions: Part 1

(6-8-1) Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Commanders (4-11)

The Dallas Cowboys take on the Washington Commanders in the first of three Christmas Day Specials! The Washington Commanders came up short against the Philadelphia Eagles last Saturday, and they currently sit third in the NFC East! As it stands, The Commanders have the third-worst record of any NFC team! As for Dallas, they got breezed past by the Los Angeles Chargers last time out, and they currently find themselves second in the NFC East! If the season ended today, The Cowboys would finish off the year with their second-straight negative record season! In the end, I think Dallas will win this game! The Cowboys are a stronger side than The Commanders, simple as that!

(8-7) Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings (7-8)

The Minnesota Vikings picked up a win in New York (against The Giants) last time out, but they do still currently find themselves last in the NFC North! As it stands, a win for The Vikings here would move them above their opponents in the Division Standings! As for Detroit, they suffered a gut-wrenching loss against the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend, and they currently sit third in the NFC North! If the season ended today, The Lions wouldn’t make the Playoffs! In the end, I will pick Detroit to beat Minnesota! The Lions have to hope for a lot to make the Playoffs now, but I expect them to get their part of the job done!

(12-3) Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs (6-9)

The Denver Broncos look to bounce back when they head to face the depleted Chiefs on a cold Christmas Night in Kansas City! The Kansas City Chiefs got stuffed by the Tennessee Titans (of all teams) in Week 16, and they currently sit third in the AFC West! As it stands, The Chiefs are having their worst season since 2012! As for Denver, they suffered a surprise loss at home against the Jacksonville Jaguars last time out, but they do still currently lead the AFC West! If the season ended today, The Broncos would get a Bye straight through into the Divisional Round of the Playoffs! In the end, Denver should coast this! Last week was a bad result for The Broncos, but they have nothing to worry about when it comes to this broken Chiefs team!

(10-5) Houston Texans @ Los Angeles Chargers (11-4)

The Los Angeles Chargers welcome the Houston Texans to SoFi Stadium this Saturday for what is a rather large game! The Los Angeles Chargers breezed past the Dallas Cowboys last weekend, and they currently find themselves second in the AFC West! As it stands, The Chargers are guaranteed a Playoff spot, but the Division Title is still very much there’s if they want it! As for Houston, they made it 7-straight wins last time out against the Las Vegas Raiders, and they currently sit second in the AFC South! If the season ended today, The Texans would get into the Playoffs as the AFC’s final seed! In the end, I’m picking The Chargers! I’m not sure many will, and that’s why I’m doing it!

(7-8) Baltimore Ravens @ Green Bay Packers (9-5-1)

Another important game takes place on Saturday Night Football as the Baltimore Ravens take a road trip to Green Bay (to take on The Packers) with their season firmly on the line! The Green Bay Packers lost dramatically against the Chicago Bears on last weekend’s Saturday Night Football, and they currently sit second in the NFC North! As it stands, The Packers are a win away from making the Playoffs! As for Baltimore, their season was all but finished when they lost against the New England Patriots on Week 16’s Sunday Night Football, and they currently find themselves second in the AFC North! If the season ended today, The Ravens would miss out on the Playoffs entirely! In the end, I expect Green Bay to book their Playoff ticket with a win over Baltimore in this one! The Ravens just haven’t been good enough in 2025, and it’s honestly too late for them to change that!

(3-12) Arizona Cardinals @ Cincinnati Bengals (5-10)

The Cincinnati Bengals thrashed the Miami Dolphins last weekend, and they currently sit third in the AFC North! As it stands, the Cincinnati Bengals are set for their first negative-record season since 2020! As for Arizona, they lost yet again last time out against the Atlanta Falcons, and they currently find themselves bottom of the NFC West! If the season ended today, The Cardinals would be the second-worst team in the entire NFC! In the end, this should be pretty straightforward for Cincinnati! The Bengals could put about 50 points on The Cardinals if Joe Burrow wanted to!

(12-3) Seattle Seahawks @ Carolina Panthers (8-7)

The Carolina Panthers know they’re potentially just one win away from making the Playoffs as they host the current NFC leaders, the Seattle Seahawks! The Carolina Panthers picked up a key victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers last time out, and they currently lead the NFC South! As it stands, The Panthers are only playing for the Number 4 seed (realistically)! As for Seattle, they earned themselves a fantastic 38-37 win over the Los Angeles Rams last Thursday Night, and they currently find themselves top of the NFC West! If the season ended today, The Seahawks would get a Bye straight into the Divisional Round of the Playoffs! In the end, I think Seattle will do enough to win this game! I don’t want to rule out Carolina because I think they can get something from this game, but overall, The Seahawks are favourites for a reason!

(9-6) Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns (3-12)

The Cleveland Browns narrowly lost to the Buffalo Bills last weekend, and they currently sit last in the AFC North! As it stands, The Browns are one of the worst teams in the entire league! As for Pittsburgh, they picked up a great win in Detroit last time out, and they currently lead the AFC North! If the season ended today, The Steelers would enter the Playoffs as the AFC’s Number 4 seed! In the end, Pittsburgh will secure the AFC North Title with a win here! In fact, it might already be secured for The Steelers, but if not, they’ll definitely do it here!