Only two games remain for every NFL team during the 2024 regular season. The playoff push is here, and the Week 17 schedule gives us games on five days, including the first-ever Netflix NFL broadcast on Christmas day.
That’s when the most impactful matchups begin, as the Kansas City Chiefs face the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Houston Texans take on the Baltimore Ravens Wednesday with AFC postseason seeding likely to be affected by the outcomes. There’s also three games on Saturday, in addition to the normal Thursday, Sunday and Monday fare.
Other games with significant playoff implications include the Cincinnati Bengals hosting the Denver Broncos on Saturday, the Green Bay Packers facing the Minnesota Vikings in a key NFC matchup in Sunday’s marquee late afternoon game and ‘Sunday Night Football’ between the Atlanta Falcons and Washington Commanders.
Given all that’s at stake with so little time left before the playoffs, Week 17 is shaping up to be a doozy. Analysts and experts are already weighing in on what might happen, so here is an early look at picks and predictions for every game on the schedule.
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NFL Week 17 game predictions, picks
Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Monday, Dec. 23
Kansas City Chiefs at Pittsburgh Steelers
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 25
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Acrisure Stadium (Pittsburgh)
TV: None
Streaming: Netflix
Spread: Chiefs (-2.5)
Sporting News: Steelers 23, Chiefs 20
‘This won’t be an easy game for a banged-up Mahomes, especially with a struggling running game and Chris Jones hurt on the defensive side. The Steelers have won multiple big games in 2024.’
‘The Steelers have lost two in a row and can’t afford a third if they want to take the AFC North title. Russell Wilson will come up big and Pittsburgh will edge Kansas City in a thriller.’
Baltimore Ravens at Houston Texans
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 25
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: NRG Stadium (Houston)
TV: None
Streaming: Netflix
Spread: Ravens (-5.5)
Pro Football Network: Ravens 27, Texans 20
‘If this game follows the metrics, it should be lopsided on Christmas Day. However, the Ravens have had a knack this season for making things look harder than they should. … The Ravens are the better team offensively by a considerable distance, while the Texans have a slight advantage defensively.’
‘If the NFL playoffs began today, these two teams would face off in the first round in Houston. We have to think that Baltimore would be favored in that game, as it is in this one. The Texans won’t be able to keep up with Lamar Jackson.’
Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears
Date: Thursday Dec. 26
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Soldier Field (Chicago)
TV: None
Streaming: Amazon Prime Video
Spread: Seahawks (-3.5)
‘The Bears aren’t in the same class as their NFC North peers, and in particular, the Chicago defense hasn’t shown snarl in weeks. … Seattle shows up in a must-win game and plays better on both sides of the ball to pull away.’
‘If Seattle’s offense continues to thrive, they could expose a Bears defense that looks uninspired under interim head coach Thomas Brown. … But the real edge in this game lies with the Seattle defense.’
Los Angeles Chargers at New England Patriots
Date: Saturday, Dec. 28
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Gillette Stadium (Foxborough, Massachusetts)
TV: NFL Network
Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Chargers (-4.5)
‘The Los Angeles Chargers on the other side of the country … with the forecast in Foxborough calling for temperatures around freezing. New England, on the other hand, is home for the holidays after living on the road for the past two months. Saturday’s battle with the Bolts is just the fourth time the Patriots have played at Gillette Stadium since Week 6 … New England has kept those games close.’
Justin Herbert ‘has excelled as a market favorite … Just in the Eastern time zone, Herbert posted a 9-0 against the spread record in his career, including a win and cover in New England last season. Los Angeles has simultaneously excelled as market favorites in Jim Harbaugh’s debut campaign.’
Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals
Date: Saturday, Dec. 28
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Paycor Stadium (Cincinnati)
TV: NFL Network
Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Bengals (-3)
ESPN: Ride the Broncos
‘Now is the time to jump on the Broncos’ side if you like Denver. At 9-6, the Broncos desperately need this game to stay in contention for an AFC wild-card spot. Cincinnati has an explosive offense, but its defense is one Sean Payton and Bo Nix can exploit.’
‘The Bengals are a bad football team yet have been priced as favorites in four straight outings. Skewing those power ratings is a lineup of broken opponents during the Bengals’ three-game winning streak. Cincy’s high-flying offense has taken advantage of Dallas, Tennessee, and Cleveland — three teams with backup QBs at the wheel and stop units that rank in the back half of the league.’
Arizona Cardinals at Los Angeles Rams
Date: Saturday, Dec. 28
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium (Inglewood, California)
TV: NFL Network
Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Rams (-6)
‘These two teams met back in Week 2 and the Arizona Cardinals pulled off a dominating 41-10 victory at home. … The Cardinals have lost four of their past five games since their bye week, including two pivotal division games. The Los Angeles Rams have won four straight and eight of their last 10 since their bye week. … The Cardinals should be able to control time of possession and get things going on the ground enough to keep this game close.’
‘The Cardinals have kept only one team under 21 points away from home this season. Coming off a game where they allowed 30 points in regulation to the Panthers … Arizona’s defense faces an uphill climb.’
Watch NFL Week 17 games with Fubo
Indianapolis Colts at New York Giants
Date: Sunday, Dec. 29
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: MetLife Stadium (East Rutherford, New Jersey)
TV: FOX
Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Colts (-7.5)
Arizona Republic: Colts 23, Giants 10
‘The Giants are in position to land the No. 1 pick in the NFL draft. We don’t expect that to change against the Colts.’
‘The motivational aspect could be totally altered after Saturday’s games, as the Indianapolis Colts may not have a chance at the playoffs anymore. The numbers tell you that the Colts are the better team, with the main advantage being offensively. Indianapolis has also played the harder schedule, further exacerbating their metrics advantage.’
New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
Date: Sunday, Dec. 29
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Highmark Stadium (Orchard Park, New York)
TV: CBS
Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Bills (-10)
‘Fading New York has been an excellent strategy this season, as they are just 4-12 against the spread this season. … Buffalo has the MVP frontrunner starting under center and will be hoping it can still chase down the Kansas City Chiefs for the top spot in the AFC. There is no denying this is a thick point spread, and it has to be stated that the Bills last three games have been decided by 6 or fewer points. However, a game against the Jets will give the Bills a chance to run up the score in their final home game of the regular season.’
‘Throughout his otherwise illustrious career, Aaron Rodgers has gone 0-2 with three total interceptions at Highmark Stadium. Buffalo at this time of year is not for the faint of heart, and outscoring Josh Allen at the pinnacle of the MVP favorite’s career seems like a tall task.’
Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars
Date: Sunday, Dec. 29
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: EverBank Stadium (Jacksonville, Florida)
TV: CBS
Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Jaguars (-1)
Pro Football Network: Jaguars 17, Titans 16
‘Both teams are starting backup quarterbacks for this one, making it messier than ever. … The last game between these two was an offensive disaster.’
‘These teams are a combined 6-24 on the season. The Jaguars beat the Titans in an ugly 10-6 game earlier this season. Expect a similar result this week.’
Las Vegas Raiders at New Orleans Saints
Date: Sunday, Dec. 29
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Caesar’s Superdome
TV: FOX
Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Saints (-2.5)
Arizona Republic: Raiders 21, Saints 15
‘The Raiders ended a 10-game losing streak with their win over the Jaguars in Week 16. Can they actually start a winning streak in Week 17 against a Saints team coming off a short week? Yes, they can.’
‘Neither side has been convincing, and the motivation of both teams, with their playoff hopes gone, is hard to judge. The New Orleans Saints are better in all three phases but have played a considerably easier schedule.’
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Date: Sunday, Dec. 29
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Raymond James Stadium (Tampa, Florida)
TV: CBS
Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Buccaneers (-8)
‘The Panthers came close to upsetting several contenders before beating the Cardinals last week. We’re not picking them to upset the Buccaneers, but Bryce Young and company should make it interesting.’
‘The Buccaneers are by far the superior team, but the Carolina Panthers have played much better in the last 4-6 weeks.’
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Date: Sunday, Dec. 29
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Lincoln Financial Field
TV: FOX
Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Eagles (-9.5)
Arizona Republic: Eagles 27, Cowboys 21
‘Jalen Hurts’ status looms large in this game. With him, we think the Eagles can bounce back against a suddenly surging Cowboys team.’
‘This game is massively complicated by the fact that Jalen Hurts is in the concussion protocol. … The Eagles are the superior team offensively and defensively, but they have played a much easier schedule. Still, Philadelphia is significantly better defensively, and it’s hard to see Dallas being able to go toe-to-toe with Hurts and Saquon Barkley over four quarters.’
Miami Dolphins at Cleveland Browns
Date: Sunday, Dec. 29
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Location: Huntington Bank Field (Cleveland)
TV: CBS
Streaming: NFL+, Paramount+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Dolphins (-6.5)
Arizona Republic: Dolphins 24, Browns 16
‘The Browns just don’t have the offensive firepower to keep up with the Dolphins if Jameis Winston is not their quarterback. The Dolphins will pick up a big win on the road.’
‘Dorian Thompson-Robinson proved to not be an upgrade over Jameis Winston in Cleveland, and the Browns scored just 6 points against one of the worst defenses in the league last week. The Dolphins defense is not an elite unit, but they are still a middle of the pack defense taking on a rock-bottom offense. … As long as the Dolphins don’t get caught by a cold front, this screams a double digit win for Miami.’
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Date: Sunday, Dec. 29
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium (Minneapolis)
TV: FOX
Streaming: NFL+, YouTube TV (NFL Sunday Ticket) or Fubo
Spread: Vikings (-1.5)
Covers.com: Packers are the pick
‘The Packers present the first true test for the Vikings since October and are also fighting for the No. 6 spot in the NFC pecking order. Green Bay lost a 31-29 thriller to the Vikes at Lambeau Field back in Week 4, keeping it close despite four turnovers.’
Jordan Love ‘is locked in, which means his litany of receivers are getting hot, too. Josh Jacobs might be the hottest running back nobody’s talking about. If the Green Bay defense can do what it did to Miami, San Francisco, and Seattle over the past month, we could be in for a little upset in Minneapolis.’
Atlanta Falcons at Washington Commanders
Date: Sunday, Dec. 29
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: Northwest Stadium (Landover, Maryland)
TV: NBC
Streaming: Peacock, Fubo
Spread: Commanders (-4)
‘The Commanders are an unstoppable offense, and Michael Penix Jr. cannot be trusted to deliver when his team needs him most. These may be two rookie quarterbacks, but the experience of Jayden Daniels gathered this season will give him a playoff-clinching win and cover.’
BetMGM: Commanders run past Falcons
This season, Washington’s results are generally driven by their ability to run the ball. The Commanders are 10-2 when they rush for 100 or more yards. … That creates a sell-high spot on Atlanta, which has held three of its last four opponents under 100 rushing yards.’
Watch Falcons vs. Commanders on Peacock
Detroit Lions at San Francisco 49ers
Date: Monday, Dec. 30
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Levi’s Stadium (Santa Clara, California)
TV: ABC, ESPN
Streaming: ESPN+, Fubo
Spread: Lions (-3.5)
Arizona Republic: Lions 30, 49ers 21
‘Every NFL team has injuries, but both of these teams seem to have more than their fair share. The Lions have been able to deal with them better, however, and we don’t expect that to change this week.’
‘In theory, this should be a walkover for a Lions team that could have a chance to clinch the division and No. 1 seed with a win. The metrics are firmly in favor of Detroit, with an advantage in all three phases of the game.’
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