There are a whopping seven NFL primetime games in Week 17 thanks to the Christmas weekend. Now that we're this late into the season, a ton of playoff-clinching scenarios and division-clinching scenarios have developed.
And we could see some major fireworks with some of these primetime games, but you can tell that the NFL expected some of these matchups to have higher stakes, but things get weird sometimes. The league has been filled with parity this year, so some teams that made the playoffs in 2024 have already been eliminated, and others that weren't in the playoffs have clinched spots.
This could make for a very competitive postseason, which should be welcome by all. Let's make our picks and score predictions for all seven primetime games in Week 17 of the 2025 season.
Picks and predictions for every primetime game in Week 17
Dallas Cowboys @ Washington Commanders
Thursday, December 25th, 1:00 PM ET
The Dallas Cowboys play the Washington Commanders, and boy was this game expected to have much higher stakes. Both Dallas and Washington have been eliminated from the postseason, and the Commanders have had a huge fall off, as the team now has double-digit losses on the season but were within just one game of the Super Bowl in 2024.
Jayden Daniels missed more games than he appeared in this year, and this overrated, old roster just took a beating this year. The Cowboys have been the better team this year, but they've wasted a top-tier offense thanks to one of the worst defenses in the NFL.
Dak Prescott is having an insane season and should be able to move the ball up and down the field against a shaky Commanders' defense. Going forward, the Cowboys have to invest nearly all of their offseason resources on the defensive side of the ball, and the Commanders simply need younger, better players everywhere, as much of GM Adam Peters' tenure thus far has really been just hitting on Jayden Daniels in the 2024 NFL Draft.
Dallas wins this one by six points.
Prediction: Cowboys win 30-24
Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings
Thursday, December 25th, 4:30 PM ET
The Detroit Lions are 8-7 on the season and are in Minnesota to play the Vikings, a team again without JJ McCarthy. McCarthy hurt his hand in Week 16, so Max Brosmer is going to get the start. Detroit needs to win out and get a little bit of help to get into the playoffs, and it feels weird to type that.
The Lions have the best offense in the NFL, but, much like the Cowboys, have a bad defense. The good thing here, though, is that the Lions' defense should be able to handle Max Brosmer and the Vikings' offense, but this has to be a frustrating season for Detroit.
We could see this team investing a ton of resources into the defense in the offseason. For now, though, the Lions take care of business here.
Prediction: Lions win 33-17
Denver Broncos @ Kansas City Chiefs
Thursday, December 25th, 8:15 PM ET
The Denver Broncos got blown out by the Jacksonville Jaguars at home and really threw a wrench into the AFC Playoff Picture, but the Broncos are now in Kansas City to face a Chiefs team missing a bunch of starters and also missing their top two quarterbacks - Chris Oladokun gets the start, so the Denver defense should have a great chance to get back on track after a poor Week 16 showing.
The offense has been solid as of late, but this Week 16 loss is a taste that Denver wants to get out of their mouths. The Chiefs are probably excited for the season to end, to be honest...
Prediction: Broncos win 30-14
Houston Texans @ Los Angeles Chargers
Saturday, December 27th, 4:30 PM ET
The Houston Texans blew out the Los Angeles Chargers at home in the Wild Card Round and have a huge showdown here in Week 17 with the Bolts. LA's offensive line has been a huge issue this year - the unit has been missing multiple starters, and the Texans' pass rush is flat-out dominant.
Houston's defense should be able to take this game over in a close victory. Houston is 10-2 after a brutal 0-3 start.
Prediction: Texans win 23-20
Baltimore Ravens @ Green Bay Packers
Saturday, December 27th, 8:00 PM ET
Both Jordan Love and Lamar Jackson are banged up, so it is not a guarantee that either passer is able to suit up, and both Green Bay and Baltimore are approaching win-out territory. The Ravens do not control their own destiny for the AFC North, as they need to win out and hope that the Steelers stumble.
The Packers are on the doorstep of the playoffs, but the NFC North feels about out of reach right now thanks to the surging Chicago Bears and a slip-up from the Packers recently. This game should be won by the home team, as the Ravens have not found much consistency all year and do have the advantage of playing this game at home.
The Ravens have a very good roster, but it's just not been a good season - the franchise needs a reset.
Prediction: Packers win 27-17
Chicago Bears @ San Francisco 49ers
Sunday, December 28th, 8:15 PM ET
This could be a very fun game - the Chicago Bears visit the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday Night Football - both teams are 11-4 coming into this one, and we have seen Chicago win in dramatic fashion time and time again this year.
However, I am feeling San Fran in this one. I personally trust them more this late in the season with the playoffs approaching, and I would also give them the advantage at quarterback and head coach. The Niners escape with a two-point win and and keep their underrated season going.
Prediction: 49ers win 23-21
Los Angeles Rams @ Atlanta Falcons
Monday, December 29th, 8:15 PM ET
The Los Angeles Rams are surely chomping at the bit for a chance to get back on track after their brutal loss to the Seattle Seahawks in Week 16. Fortunately for the Rams, the Atlanta Falcons are incompetent and could make some major changes in the offseason.
Atlanta was 3-2 at one point but have since collapsed, and LA is still trying to earn that no. 1 overall seed in the playoffs. I would expect the Rams to come into this game desperate for a win, and the top MVP candidate in Matthew Stafford is going to toss a ton of touchdowns as the Rams flirt with 40 points.