Lions’ playoff hopes fade after gut-wrenching loss vs. Steelers
USA TODAY Sports’ Prince Grimes ‘overreacts’ to some of the best games from Sunday’s Week 16 slate.
The NFL Week 17 schedule is full of must-see matchups and must-win games.
Who will win the 16 NFL games this week, the second-to-last week of the NFL regular season?
Check out our NFL Week 17 picks and NFL Week 17 predictions for every NFL game this week, a week that includes three games on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, two must-watch games on Saturday, Dec. 27, several big showdowns on Sunday, Dec. 28, and an intriguing Monday Night Football matchup.
Among the must-see matchups? The Houston Texans vs Los Angeles Chargers, Baltimore Ravens vs Green Bay Packers, Seattle Seahawks vs Carolina Panthers, Jacksonville Jaguars vs Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles vs Buffalo Bills and Chicago Bears vs San Francisco 49ers.
All times MST. Click on each game for NFL Week 17 odds and for more NFL Week 17 predictions for that matchup.
NFL Week 17 picks: Cowboys at Commanders | Lions at Vikings | Broncos at Chiefs | Texans at Chargers | Ravens at Packers | Seahawks at Panthers | Cardinals at Bengals | Steelers at Browns | Jaguars at Colts | Buccaneers at Dolphins | Patriots at Jets | Saints at Titans | Giants at Raiders | Eagles at Bills | Bears at 49ers | Rams at Falcons | The Republic’s score predictions
Watch NFL games on FUBO (free trial)
Christmas Day NFL game predictions, Dec. 25
Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders, 11 a.m., Netflix
This game looked like it could have playoff implications before the season, but much to the dismay of Netflix, it is just an NFC East showdown, with Jayden Daniels out for the home team. Dallas beat Washington earlier this season in Dallas, 44-22. We expect a closer game this time around.
Prediction: Cowboys 24, Commanders 21
Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings, 2:30 p.m., Netflix
The Lions’ faint playoff hopes would be over with a loss to the Vikings. Jared Goff and company are too proud not to fight until the end.
Prediction: Lions 27, Vikings 20
Denver Broncos vs Kansas City Chiefs, 6:15 p.m., Prime Video (stream on Amazon)
Amazon probably envisioned this game having more on the line. It still has a lot on the line, for Denver. Bo Nix and the Broncos will bounce back with a victory over a Chiefs team ready for the season to end.
Prediction: Broncos 21, Chiefs 13
Saturday NFL game predictions, Dec. 27
Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers, 2:30 p.m., NFL Network (stream with FUBO)
Justin Herbert and the Chargers are 5-2 at home and have won four in a row, but the Texans’ defense can wreak some havoc, especially against the Los Angeles offensive line. Houston will win its eighth straight game.
Prediction: Texans 21, Chargers 17
Baltimore Ravens at Green Bay Packers, 6 p.m., Peacock (stream on Peacock)
Jordan Love and Lamar Jackson’s status loom large in this game, as both teams really need their starting QBs and really need a win. Baltimore, however, needs the win more.
Prediction: Ravens 20, Packers 17
Sunday early NFL game predictions, Dec. 28
Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers, 11 a.m., CBS (stream with FUBO)
Sam Darnold and the Seahawks are in position to get the No. 1 seed in the NFC. They won’t let that slip away this week, with Seattle’s defense shining at Carolina.
Prediction: Seahawks 24, Panthers 16
Arizona Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals, 11 a.m., FOX (stream with FUBO)
Jacoby Brissett and the Cardinals have lost seven games in a row. Its offense won’t be able to keep up with Joe Burrow and Cincinnati, resulting in an eighth straight loss for Arizona.
Prediction: Bengals 30, Cardinals 20
Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns, 11 a.m., CBS (stream with FUBO)
The Steelers already beat the Browns by 14 earlier this season. This game will be closer with Shedeur Sanders under center for Cleveland, but it will result in another win for Pittsburgh, its fourth straight.
Prediction: Steelers 23, Browns 15
Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts, 11 a.m., FOX (stream with FUBO)
The Jaguars are rolling after knocking off the Broncos on the road by 14 points. Trevor Lawrence and company will keep the good times going with a win in Indianapolis.
Prediction: Jaguars 27, Colts 21
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Miami Dolphins, 11 a.m., FOX (stream with FUBO)
The Buccaneers have lost three straight, but the Dolphins, with a new QB, provide a perfect opportunity to end that skid. Baker Mayfield will take advantage of that chance.
Prediction: Buccaneers 28, Dolphins 17
New England Patriots at New York Jets, 11 a.m., FOX (stream with FUBO)
This Patriots team continues to prove us wrong. Drake Maye and company will prove us right with an easy win over the Jets in NFL Week 17.
Prediction: Patriots 30, Jets 16
New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans, 11 a.m., CBS (stream with FUBO)
Tyler Shough continues to impress for the Saints, who have won three games in a row. New Orleans will make it four in a row with a big win in Tennessee.
Prediction: Saints 24, Titans 14
Sunday late NFL game predictions, Dec. 28
New York Giants at Las Vegas Raiders, 2:05 p.m., CBS (stream with FUBO)
The loser of this game will be in line for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL draft. The Raiders could really use Fernando Mendoza. New York already has Jaxson Dart.
Prediction: Giants 21, Raiders 20
Philadelphia Eagles at Buffalo Bills, 2:25 p.m., FOX (stream with FUBO)
Could this game be a Super Bowl preview? Maybe. We hope these teams treat it as one. The edge in this one goes to the home team, who is 6-1 at Highmark Stadium, and has Josh Allen at quarterback.
Prediction: Bills 24, Eagles 21
Sunday Night Football prediction, Dec. 28
Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers, 6:20 p.m., NBC (stream on Peacock)
The Bears will benefit from the extra rest for this one after playing on Saturday, Dec. 20, in Week 16, with the 49ers having played on Monday Night Football. Caleb Williams and Chicago will continue their magical season with a big win on the road.
Prediction: Bears 27, 49ers 23
Monday Night Football prediction, Dec. 29
Los Angeles Rams at Atlanta Falcons, 6:15 p.m., ESPN (stream with FUBO)
The Rams are a big favorite in this game, but the Falcons are playing well with Kirk Cousins and company over the past couple of games. They also have Bijan Robinson. This game could be very close.
Prediction: Rams 28, Falcons 27
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Reach Jeremy Cluff at jeremy.cluff@arizonarepublic.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter @Jeremy_Cluff.
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