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NFL Nation
The seventeenth week of the 2025 NFL calendar year commenced on December 25th with a clash in the NFC East featuring the Cowboys and Commanders. Dallas quickly established a commanding lead against Washington, yet they were forced to maintain their advantage following numerous significant concessions.
Subsequently, that same day witnessed the Vikings decisively end the Lions’ postseason aspirations. Minnesota started aggressively and managed to secure a home victory against Detroit. Furthermore, Denver concluded the matchups with a narrow triumph over Kansas City, thereby sustaining their bid for the AFC’s premier seeding.
The competitive play extended into Saturday, where the Texans defeated the Chargers, securing their third consecutive playoff appearance, a franchise first. Following this, the Baltimore Ravens, propelled by Derrick Henry, triumphed over the Green Bay Packers.
Journalists from our NFL Nation team offered their perspectives on these events, addressing unresolved queries from each contest and outlining essential information pertinent to every squad. We’ll now proceed to the specifics.
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DAL-WSH | DET-MIN
DEN-KC | HOU-LAC | BAL-GB
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Ravens
How did Ravens prevail without QB Lamar Jackson? The answer is straightforward: Derrick Henry. This seasoned 31-year-old running back was instrumental for Baltimore during a crucial playoff-determining match, gaining 216 yards and scoring four touchdowns on the ground. Following a period of scrutiny over their perceived underutilization of Henry — specifically, his lack of carries in the final twelve minutes of the preceding Sunday’s 28-24 defeat by the New England Patriots — the team entrusted him with the ball 36 times, setting a personal record and marking the highest number of carries by any NFL athlete this year.
Henry’s exceptionally strong showing propelled him to the tenth position on the NFL’s cumulative rushing leaders’ chart and into fourth for career rushing touchdowns. Additionally, this marked Henry’s seventh contest where he surpassed 200 rushing yards, surpassing the prior record held jointly with Adrian Peterson and O.J. Simpson.
Both Henry and the Ravens delivered a critical effort; a defeat would have eliminated them from postseason contention. With their primary signal-caller, Jackson, absent due to a back ailment, reserve quarterback Tyler Huntley sustained offensive series through his mobility, accumulating 55 rushing yards, a figure unsurpassed by a Baltimore quarterback since Jackson’s performance in the inaugural game of the season.
Biggest hole in the game plan: Vulnerability against deep throws. The Ravens almost squandered a double-digit advantage for the second consecutive week, unable to prevent Malik Willis’s lengthy downfield passes. Willis completed 6 of 7 attempts for 197 yards and a touchdown on throws traveling 20 or more air yards within the initial three quarters. This represents the second-highest number of such completions by any quarterback this season. This deficiency has plagued Baltimore, as they entered the match having conceded the sixth-highest number of completions on passes of 20-plus yards (26). Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins likely experienced his poorest outing of the current campaign. — Jamison Hensley
Next game: at Steelers (TBD)
Packers
How should Packers handle the season finale? Having forfeited their opportunity to secure the NFC North title following this defeat, the Packers must contemplate prioritizing player health in anticipation of an away wild-card playoff matchup. This could involve resting multiple key players in the upcoming regular-season closer against the Vikings, potentially including quarterback Jordan Love (even if he is cleared from concussion protocol) and perhaps reserve Malik Willis (who aggravated a right shoulder injury in the fourth quarter).
This squad isn’t merely struggling to conclude the season with a trio of consecutive losses; they are significantly depleted, having sustained five additional game-ending injuries. This comes after entering the contest already missing five crucial players due to season-ending ailments: Elgton Jenkins, Tucker Kraft, Micah Parsons, Devonte Wyatt, and John FitzPatrick.
What to make of the QB performance: Regarding the quarterback’s showing: Irrespective of whether it’s an organization like the Cardinals, Dolphins, Raiders, or any other team seeking a quarterback, a club will undoubtedly offer Willis a starting quarterback’s salary this offseason. Willis joined the Packers early last season via a trade with the Titans for a seventh-round selection, and he is currently in the concluding year of his initial rookie agreement. It is likely he will prove too costly for the Packers to retain in a backup capacity. Nearly every instance he has substituted for Love, he has performed exceptionally. Last season, he secured victories in both his starts and contributed effectively in relief during another win. However, his performance on Saturday reached an elevated standard. Willis contributed 348 offensive yards, even after a brief departure in the fourth quarter due to a shoulder ailment. He concluded with 288 passing yards and one touchdown, along with 60 rushing yards and two additional ground scores. — Rob Demovsky
Next game: at Vikings (TBD)
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Texans
With a playoff berth clinched, what is the Texans’ biggest priority now? Securing the AFC South championship. The Texans retain a possibility of seizing the divisional crown, yet this hinges on the Jacksonville Jaguars experiencing a loss in either of their forthcoming two contests. The scenario is straightforward: Should the Jaguars be defeated by the Indianapolis Colts or the Tennessee Titans and Houston triumphs over the Colts in Week 18, the Texans will clinch the AFC South for the third season in a row.
Turning point: The pivotal moment: With 2 minutes and 32 seconds left in the fourth quarter, quarterback C.J. Stroud was sacked on third down. The Chargers were on the verge of regaining possession, but a penalty for illegal contact was called against cornerback Tarheeb Still, granting Houston a first down. Subsequently, running back Woody Marks gained another first down two plays later, cementing Houston’s seventh successive win. — DJ Bien-Aime
Best quote from the locker room: A notable locker room remark: Following a game where the Texans brought down Justin Herbert five times and intercepted him once, safety Jalen Pitre stated: “The divine is paramount. The Texans’ defensive unit is perhaps a close second.”
Next game: vs. Colts (TBD)
Chargers
How far can Justin Herbert take the Chargers? While the statistics sheet (236 passing yards, one interception, 37 rushing yards) doesn’t fully capture his showing, Saturday’s contest stood out as one of Herbert’s most remarkable. The signal-caller skillfully avoided tackles, pushed past adversaries, and executed passes despite defensive linemen being closely draped over him – all while enduring a fractured left hand. Such a display underscores the Chargers’ conviction that Herbert possesses the drive to lead them to a championship. Nevertheless, anticipating Herbert to consistently reproduce this caliber of play is not a viable strategy for an extended playoff journey; even with his stellar performance, he could not compensate for the errors made by his teammates.
Key stat to know: Essential statistic: Cameron Dicker recorded his inaugural career missed field goal attempt from within 40 yards. Dicker, recognized as the most precise place-kicker in NFL annals and a first-time Pro Bowl honoree this season, sent a 32-yard kick wide to the right as the first half concluded, and subsequently failed on an extra point try. While Dicker has contributed significantly to a considerable number of the Chargers’ victories this season, his missed attempts proved highly impactful for Los Angeles on Saturday. — Kris Rhim
Best quote from the locker room: Notable locker room comment: The Chargers take pride in preventing big plays, yet they conceded two touchdowns exceeding 40 yards at the start of the game due to coverage breakdowns. Cornerback Donte Jackson remarked, “The defensive backfield was completely disorganized, lacking cohesion.” He added, “We cannot surrender possessions. We must demonstrate greater precision, attention to detail, and significantly improved execution.”
Next game: at Broncos (TBD)
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Broncos
Is the Broncos’ grind-it-out offense playoff ready? Denver accomplished its objectives on Thursday, maintaining a strong position for the AFC West championship and the top playoff seed. However, their offensive performance presented mixed signals. Positively, the Broncos orchestrated three scoring possessions, each lasting eight minutes or longer. The drawback? Only one of these drives culminated in a touchdown. They will be required to finalize plays with greater decisiveness (and scores) in the playoffs, as failing to do so leaves them vulnerable to scenarios like the one against the Chiefs – where they found themselves in a tense finish despite surrendering only 95 total offensive yards before Kansas City’s last series.
What to make of the QB performance: An assessment of the quarterback’s display: Bo Nix orchestrated yet another decisive drive in the final quarter, culminating in a 1-yard touchdown pass to RJ Harvey with 1 minute and 45 seconds remaining, thus once again fulfilling his overarching mission. Yet, the Broncos lacked any play exceeding nine yards until Nix’s 14-yard scramble at 5 minutes and 35 seconds in the second quarter, and a pass play of more than nine yards didn’t occur until the two-minute warning of the first half. Nix, who completed 26 of 38 attempts for 182 yards, also experienced recurring accuracy challenges, contributing to a deflected pass interception in the first half. — Jeff Legwold
Next game: vs. Chargers (TBD)
Chiefs
What did we learn about Chris Oladokun? What insights did we gain concerning Chris Oladokun? The Chiefs’ total possession time on Thursday evening was under 21 minutes, which posed a challenge for Oladokun, Kansas City’s third-string signal-caller. Nevertheless, when presented with scarce chances, Oladokun demonstrated his competence as a proficient game manager. Across only 16 throws before the concluding possession, Oladokun consistently avoided risky plays. Instead, he executed some commendable scrambles and improvisational moves to gain yardage. Even under unfavorable late-game conditions – with less than two minutes remaining and only one timeout – Oladokun managed to advance the ball to the Broncos’ 21-yard line. However, his last throw of the contest, a deep pass toward the end zone on fourth-and-8, sailed beyond the reach of wideout Hollywood Brown.
Most surprising performance: The most unexpected display: Despite the absence of their primary two cornerbacks, Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, the Chiefs’ defensive unit not only competed effectively but exceeded expectations against Denver’s offense. Kristian Fulton and first-year player Nohl Williams delivered strong performances as substitutes, even with repeated attempts by the Broncos to exploit one-on-one matchups for receiver Courtland Sutton. Fulton concluded the game with three deflections, one of which resulted in an interception by linebacker Nick Bolton. Williams recorded eight tackles, with three occurring beyond the line of scrimmage.
Best quote from the locker room: “I’ve never before witnessed an individual attempt to attract the defense by fumbling the ball,” remarked Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce, chuckling, regarding Oladokun. “It was akin to a small sleight of hand he executed. I admire him, truly, for his meticulousness, professionalism, and leadership throughout the week. My contentment for him couldn’t be greater. Naturally, I regret that we couldn’t secure that victory for him in a significant rivalry contest. I commend his leadership and persistent effort.” — Nate Taylor
Next game: at Raiders (TBD)
Review the gameplay: Box score | Recap
Vikings
Was this enough to get safety Harrison Smith to play another season? A significant period has passed since the 36-year-old veteran executed such a multitude of impactful plays in a single match. Nonetheless, Smith delivered a sack, an interception, two deflected passes, and two tackles for loss, contributing to the Vikings’ defense generating six turnovers. While Smith has not publicly declared his intention to retire, numerous individuals within and connected to the organization anticipate his departure. However, if he continues to perform at this level, he might once more postpone that choice.
Key stat to know: An important statistical fact: The Vikings concluded with a mere 3 net passing yards, representing the lowest total for a victorious team in an NFL game since 2006. This occurred as rookie quarterback Max Brosmer absorbed six sacks and had difficulty locating available targets. Their net passing yardage stood at minus-7 until Brosmer’s concluding throw, a 10-yard completion to receiver Justin Jefferson, which converted a third down and solidified the win. — Kevin Seifert
Next game: vs. Packers (TBD)
Lions
How concerning was quarterback Jared Goff’s performance? The degree of concern regarding quarterback Jared Goff’s outing? Extremely troubling. Goff found little offensive rhythm as the offensive line struggled significantly to safeguard him in the absence of starting left tackle Taylor Decker, who was sidelined due to illness. The formidable Vikings defense sacked Goff five times and compelled five turnovers from him (two interceptions, three fumbles), matching his personal best for turnovers in a single game. The Lions had recorded the fewest turnovers in the NFL, with eight through Week 16, but concluded this game with a season-worst six turnovers in Minnesota, as Goff completed 18 of 29 passes for 197 yards and one touchdown while under incessant pressure. This defeat led to the Lions’ elimination from postseason contention.
Key stat to know: A crucial statistical insight: This contest marks the initial occasion this season where the Lions incurred multiple lost fumbles, totaling four. Goff mishandled his snap in the first quarter, followed by running back Jahmyr Gibbs fumbling during a rush at the 14:22 mark of the second quarter. Goff then fumbled twice during the fourth quarter. Before this game, Detroit’s most recent instance of losing at least two fumbles in any match occurred in Week 12 of 2023 against the Packers. The Lions’ run of 38 games without losing multiple fumbles was the fourth-longest active streak in the NFL preceding Thursday, trailing only the Falcons (42), Chiefs (41), and Texans (40). — Eric Woodyard
Next game: at Bears (TBD)
Review the gameplay: Box score | Recap
Cowboys
Does finishing with a non-losing record matter? For Brian Schottenheimer, it is, as he has consistently characterized the current year as the foundational stage of their initiative. The Cowboys presently hold a 7-8-1 standing with their Week 18 concluding game against the New York Giants on the horizon, and Schottenheimer has provided no signals that the Cowboys intend to bench key players like Dak Prescott to prevent injuries. The quarterback himself has expressed his desire to compete and his commitment to staying in the active roster. Should the Cowboys fall to the Giants – regardless of whether their primary players participate – it would signify Dallas’s first occurrence of successive losing seasons since a trio of 5-11 finishes between 2000 and 2002.
Key stat to know: A crucial statistic to note: The Cowboys successfully converted 4 out of 9 third-down attempts in the initial half, along with all four opportunities on fourth down. They ultimately achieved six such conversions – the highest number of fourth-down successes for the Cowboys in any single game throughout the last 45 seasons. The previous team to execute four first-half fourth-down conversions was the 2006 New Orleans Saints, who likewise managed four against the Giants. Dallas amassed 17 first downs in the first half, whereas the Commanders executed merely 18 plays. The Cowboys added an additional two fourth-down conversions in the fourth quarter. — Todd Archer
Next game: at Giants (TBD)
Commanders
Will Dan Quinn end the season on the hot seat? No signs suggest Quinn’s employment is currently at risk, yet even if he avoids such a predicament by season’s end, his long-term job stability will become a discussion point heading into the subsequent season. Washington has endured 12 defeats in its most recent 13 contests – a stark contrast to their 12 regular-season victories just one year prior. Nonetheless, a roster severely weakened by injuries has been the primary factor behind Washington’s season, thereby offering Quinn and his coaching staff some relief. Still, Quinn faces a decision regarding the defensive coordinator role, as he assumed playcalling responsibilities from Joe Whitt Jr. in Week 11. Several athletes have affirmed that Quinn maintains the team’s support, and despite being understaffed against Dallas – fielding their third-string quarterback, Josh Johnson – the Commanders managed to compete effectively, partly due to robust contributions from running back Jacory Croskey-Merritt (105 rushing yards) and defensive tackle Jer’Zhan Newton (three sacks).
Biggest hole in the game plan: A significant weakness in the tactical approach: Defense on third and fourth downs. Dallas succeeded on 8 out of 19 third downs, which wasn’t catastrophic. However, a 14-yard gain on third-and-18 created a manageable fourth-and-short situation. This is where the Commanders struggled, as Dallas converted every one of its fourth-down opportunities, resulting in 17 points. The Dallas offense managed to execute 87 plays – a count 19 greater than any other team has achieved against the Commanders this season. — John Keim
Next game: at Eagles (TBD)
