play1:55Why Mad Dog is giving Lamar a pass this seasonChris “Mad Dog” Russo and Jeff Saturday debate whether Lamar Jackson should be given a pass if the Ravens miss the playoffs.
play2:34Are Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel the right fit for Dolphins?The “Get Up” crew discusses whether Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel are part of the long-term future for the Dolphins.
play2:01Should the Steelers rest Aaron Rodgers if they clinch a playoff spot?Dan Graziano and Louis Riddick explain why resting Aaron Rodgers might be a bad idea if the Steelers clinch a playoff spot with a Ravens loss.
play1:37Can Saquon find success vs. Buffalo defense?Jeff Saturday and Louis Riddick discuss what Saquon Barkley can do against a Bills defense that has struggled to stop the run.
Why Kurt Warner likes the Rams’ chances of making a run (1:41)Kurt Warner examines the potential NFL wild-card teams and explains why he likes the Rams the best of them all. (1:41)
Why Mad Dog is giving Lamar a pass this seasonChris “Mad Dog” Russo and Jeff Saturday debate whether Lamar Jackson should be given a pass if the Ravens miss the playoffs.
Chris “Mad Dog” Russo and Jeff Saturday debate whether Lamar Jackson should be given a pass if the Ravens miss the playoffs.
Are Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel the right fit for Dolphins?The “Get Up” crew discusses whether Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel are part of the long-term future for the Dolphins.
The “Get Up” crew discusses whether Tua Tagovailoa and Mike McDaniel are part of the long-term future for the Dolphins.
Should the Steelers rest Aaron Rodgers if they clinch a playoff spot?Dan Graziano and Louis Riddick explain why resting Aaron Rodgers might be a bad idea if the Steelers clinch a playoff spot with a Ravens loss.
Dan Graziano and Louis Riddick explain why resting Aaron Rodgers might be a bad idea if the Steelers clinch a playoff spot with a Ravens loss.
Can Saquon find success vs. Buffalo defense?Jeff Saturday and Louis Riddick discuss what Saquon Barkley can do against a Bills defense that has struggled to stop the run.
Jeff Saturday and Louis Riddick discuss what Saquon Barkley can do against a Bills defense that has struggled to stop the run.
The Week 17 NFL schedule for the 2025 season continues with some exciting matchups after an eventful Christmas Day slate of games.
On Saturday, the Texans and Chargers will face off in a rematch of last year’s wild-card game. On Sunday, the Seahawks will battle the Panthers, and the Buccaneers will head down to Miami for an intrastate matchup. Then two teams in the mix for the NFC’s No. 1 seed — the Bears and 49ers — will face each other on “Sunday Night Football.”
Let’s get into the full Week 17 slate, which culminates with the “Monday Night Football” matchup between the Rams and Falcons on ESPN. (Game times are Sunday unless otherwise noted.)
Jump to a matchup: HOU-LAC | BAL-GB | JAX-IND SEA-CAR | ARI-CIN | TB-MIA PIT-CLE | NE-NYJ | NO-TEN NYG-LV | PHI-BUF | CHI-SF | LAR-ATL
What we’re hearing on the Texans: The last time Houston played the Chargers, it sacked and intercepted QB Justin Herbert four times in the wild-card playoff game. The 2025 Texans’ defense is even better than last year’s version, so we’ll see how this plays out. Coach DeMeco Ryans called Herbert “one of the toughest quarterbacks in our league.” We’ll see how tough he can be when the NFL’s No. 1 defense rolls into L.A. — DJ Bien-Aime
What we’re hearing on the Chargers: Herbert is coming off perhaps his best game of the season in a win over the Cowboys, which he’ll look to replicate against Houston. “As far as quarterback performances go, that was a Picasso,” Harbaugh said of Herbert’s three-TD, 300-yard passing game against Dallas. — Kris Rhim
Stat to know: The Texans and Chargers rank first and third in the league, respectively, in total defense this season (Houston: 272.3 yards per game; L.A.: 283.1 ypg). — ESPN Research
Bold prediction: Texans edge rushers Will Anderson Jr. and Danielle Hunter will both have pass rush win rates over 35%. That’s a big number, as no one hit 35% in Week 16, let alone a pair of teammates. But Houston’s pass rushers against the Chargers’ tackles is a heck of a mismatch. — Walder
What’s at stake: The Texans can clinch a playoff berth with a win or a Colts loss. There’s also a bizarre scenario where they get in if the Chiefs, Ravens, Bucs, Bills, Rams and 49ers win in Week 17. The Chargers clinched a playoff spot after the Colts’ loss to the 49ers on Monday night. See Playoff Machine. — ESPN Research
Fantasy nugget: The Chargers might lean heavily on RB Omarion Hampton after seeing how much success Ashton Jeanty and the Raiders had against Houston last week. Since returning from injury in Week 14, Hampton has had at least 15 touches and scored at least 14 fantasy points in two of three games. See Week 17 rankings. — Moody
Maldonado’s pick: Chargers 30, Texans 27 Moody’s pick: Texans 21, Chargers 17 Walder’s pick: Texans 23, Chargers 20 FPI prediction: LAC, 51.7% (by an average of 0.8 points)
What we’re hearing on the Ravens: RB Derrick Henry needs 64 rushing yards to pass Tony Dorsett and crack the top 10 on the NFL’s all-time rushing list. The Ravens, who need a win to avoid being eliminated from playoff contention, are 17-8 (.680) when Henry rushes for 65 or more yards. The Packers are the league’s 10th-best run defense, allowing 103.8 yards per game. In two games at Lambeau Field, Henry has totaled 185 rushing yards. — Jamison Hensley
Stat to know: Henry logged his 40th career game with at least 100 rushing yards and a rushing TD against the Patriots, the sixth most in NFL history. With another such game, Henry would tie Jim Brown for No. 5. — ESPN Research
Bold prediction: Ravens RB Keaton Mitchell will rip off a 40-plus-yard run. Assuming the Ravens have either a banged-up Lamar Jackson (back) or a backup at QB, the team might need to rely on the ground game more than usual. While Henry is always a threat to rumble for extra yards, Mitchell has the ability to be the lightning to the veteran’s thunder and can break a big one at any moment. — Walder
What’s at stake: The Packers can clinch a playoff berth with a win or a Lions loss Thursday. The Ravens would be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss or a Steelers win. See Playoff Machine. — ESPN Research
Fantasy nugget: Henry has piled up at least 90 rushing yards in three consecutive games. It would be wise for the Baltimore to lean on the run game as the Packers’ defensive front has ranked 30th in run stop win rate (26.9%) since Week 12. See Week 17 rankings. — Moody
Maldonado’s pick: Packers 24, Ravens 22 Moody’s pick: Packers 24, Ravens 21 Walder’s pick: Packers 23, Ravens 17 FPI prediction: BAL, 50.2% (by an average of 0.2 points)
Stat to know: Jaguars WR Parker Washington’s career-high 145 receiving yards in Week 16 were the most in a game by Jacksonville player since Evan Engram had 162 in Week 14 of 2022. — ESPN Research
Bold prediction: The Colts won’t record a sack. Indianapolis ranks 32nd in pass rush win rate (28.1%) and red-hot quarterback Trevor Lawrence should have plenty of clean pockets as a result. — Walder
What’s at stake: The Colts could be eliminated from playoff contention with a loss or a Texans win, or in a wild scenario where the Chiefs, Ravens, Bucs, 49ers and Rams win. The Jaguars can clinch the AFC South with a win and a Texans loss. See Playoff Machine. — ESPN Research
Fantasy nugget: Lawrence finished with a season-high 31.6 fantasy points against a Broncos defense that has been stingy to opposing signal-callers. Lawrence and WRs Brian Thomas Jr. and Jakobi Meyers are now in a favorable spot against a Colts defense that ranks in the top eight in fantasy points per game allowed to WRs. See Week 17 rankings. — Moody
Maldonado’s pick: Jaguars 34, Colts 28 Moody’s pick: Jaguars 26, Colts 20 Walder’s pick: Jaguars 24, Colts 16 FPI prediction: JAX, 59.6% (by an average of 3.3 points)
What we’re hearing on the Panthers: Hope. Belief. That’s what coach Dave Canales said the Panthers got from Sunday’s win over Tampa Bay to stay viable in the NFC South race. That’s what will fuel them against Seattle. But don’t expect the Panthers to be watching the scoreboard for the Bucs’ matchup against the Dolphins: “We can’t afford to do that,” Canales said. — David Newton
Stat to know: In their win against the Rams, the Seahawks had the largest fourth-quarter comeback by any team versus an opponent eight games over .500 since the 1970 merger. — ESPN Research
Bold prediction: Seahawks CB Devon Witherspoon will record an interception. Witherspoon has great coverage metrics this season, with a 12% target rate and 0.8 yards per coverage snap allowed, both much better than average for corners. — Walder
What’s at stake: The Panthers can clinch a playoff berth with a win and a Bucs loss. The Seahawks clinched a playoff spot in Week 16 and can clinch the NFC West with a win and losses from the 49ers and Rams. See Playoff Machine. — ESPN Research
Seahawks coach says Sam Darnold’s confidence resonates with players
Fantasy nugget: In the snap distribution between Panthers RBs Rico Dowdle and Chuba Hubbard, Dowdle has handled the early-down work while Hubbard has played most of the third downs. Carolina now faces a tough Seattle in a game where the Panthers could be playing from behind. That would shift the offense toward the passing game, favoring Hubbard’s role. Combined with the Seahawks allowing the fifth-most receiving yards to RBs, Hubbard might be the better play. See Week 17 rankings. — Moody
Maldonado’s pick: Seahawks 31, Panthers 13 Moody’s pick: Seahawks 24, Panthers 14 Walder’s pick: Seahawks 27, Panthers 20 FPI prediction: SEA, 68.3% (by an average of 7.1 points)
What we’re hearing on the Bengals: All eyes for the Bengals will be centered on Cardinals TE Trey McBride. He is third in catches (109) and sixth in receiving yards (1,098) — far and away the most by a tight end this season in either category. Cincinnati is the most favorable matchup in the league in two key categories: most receiving yards (1,362) and touchdowns (15) surrendered to opposing tight ends in 2025. — Ben Baby