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2025 NFL Week 17 Winners and Losers and Top Takeaways
The final push to the NFL playoffs is underway. Ten of 14 playoff spots were clinched entering Week 17, though most division titles and both No. 1 seeds remained up for grabs.
This week's slate included a Christmas Day Thursday tripleheader and a pair of Saturday games. While things opened with a grudge match between already-eliminated teams, most contests on the four-day slate carried postseason implications.
Bleacher Report's NFL analysts—Brent Sobleski, Gary Davenport, Kris Knox and Moe Moton—tracked of the action to provide the biggest takeaways, as well as winners and losers, from every game.
Los Angeles Rams vs. Atlanta Falcons
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Score: Falcons 27, Rams 24
Falcons Takeaway: Arthur Blank Can't Base Offseason Decisions on Recent Success
The Atlanta Falcons stunned the Los Angeles Rams on Monday night, racing out to a 21-0 lead before holding on for a three-point victory. Atlanta has now won three straight games since being eliminated from the playoffs.
The recent success may carry some weight for franchise owner Arthur Blank, who "plans to evaluate" the futures of coach Raheem Morris and GM Terry Fontenot, according to NFL Media's Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero.
Blank must be careful not to put too much stock in this three-game winning streak, though. What we saw on Monday was a team talented enough to take it to a playoff-bound squad. We also saw quarterback Kirk Cousins largely outplay MVP candidate Matthew Stafford.
The fact that the Falcons couldn't stay in an NFC South race that could be won by a team with a losing record is alarming, as is the fact that Atlanta was so quick to hand the keys to Michael Penix Jr.—who only gave them back to Cousins after suffering a season-ending ACL tear.
Winner: RB Bijan Robinson, Atlanta Falcons
Falcons running back Bijan Robinson came into Monday night with 2,026 scrimmage yards and nine touchdowns on the season. With 195 rushing yards and 34 receiving yards against Los Angeles, he surpassed Christian McCaffrey for the league lead in scrimmage yards.
While Robinson is still seven touchdowns behind McCaffrey on the year, he's put himself firmly in contention for Offensive Player of the Year.
Rams Takeaway: L.A. Needs to Get Healthy, Quickly
In two weeks, the Rams will be on the road in a playoff game. They had better hope they're a lot healthier by then.
Most teams are banged-up at this time of year, but L.A. was without wideout Davante Adams and offensive linemen Kevin Dotson and Alaric Jackson on Monday. Adams' presence was missed in the passing game, and Stafford was regularly pressured behind his makeshift offensive line. These issues dramatically impacted the outcome of the game.
Head coach Sean McVay may now have to consider whether battling for a better seed, which will require help anyway, is worth risking more key injuries in Week 18.
Loser: QB Matthew Stafford, Los Angeles Rams
The Rams still had chances to win, and they might have at least forced overtime if not for a missed pass-interference call on L.A.'s final drive. However, Los Angeles probably wouldn't have left anything up to chance if not for Matthew Stafford's three interceptions, which included a pick-six.
Stafford was widely considered the MVP front-runner entering Week 17, but Monday's performance may have lost him the award. His disappointing outing came just one day after Drake Maye threw more touchdowns (five) than incompletions (two).
Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers
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Score: 49ers 42, Bears 38
49ers Takeaway: Brock Purdy Has Upper Hand Against Seahawks in NFC West Matchup for No. 1 Seed
The 49ers will host the Seahawks in a game that will determine the NFC's No. 1 seed, but home-field advantage isn't the reason San Francisco should be confident in this matchup.
As the 49ers' starting signal-caller, quarterback Brock Purdy is 5-1 against the Seahawks, losing that one game by just a field goal. He'll face a different Seattle team in Week 18, one that's better than the club San Francisco beat in Week 1, but the 26-year-old quarterback has had the best of the Seahawks in this NFC West rivalry.
Winner: QB Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers
Purdy is playing with a hot hand. In consecutive weeks, he accounted for five touchdowns (passing and rushing). Against the Bears, Purdy threw for three touchdowns and rushed for a couple in the first half.
After missing an extended stretch between October and November with a toe injury, Purdy is peaking at the right time. He could lead the 49ers on a home pathway all the way to Super Bowl LX.
Bears Takeaway: Chicago's Rookie Offensive Playmakers Are Battle-Tested for the Playoffs
Coming into a marquee matchup, DJ Moore battled an illness. Fellow wideout Rome Odunze missed the game because of a foot injury. When throwing downfield, quarterback Caleb Williams had to rely on rookie wideout Luther Burden III and rookie tight end Colston Loveland.
Yes, Loveland and Burden dropped passes in big moments, but they made plays throughout the contest to keep the Bears in a scoring shootout with the 49ers. Burden led the team with eight catches for 138 yards and a touchdown. Loveland caught six passes for 94 yards and a score.
With Burden and Loveland showing big-time playmaking ability on the prime-time stage and Kyle Monangai evenly splitting touches with D'Andre Swift out of the backfield, the Bears offense is locked and loaded for the playoffs.
Loser: Chicago Bears Defense
Chicago's defense allowed its highest point total since the team's Week 9 win over the Cincinnati Bengals. This time, the Bears offense couldn't overcome a subpar defensive performance.
In the fourth quarter, with a three-point lead, Chicago allowed the go-ahead score to wideout Jauan Jennings on a 38-yard play. The Bears defense needs to tighten up before the team's playoff run.
Philadelphia Eagles vs. Buffalo Bills
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Score: Eagles 13, Bills 12
Eagles Takeaway: The Eagles Offense is Going to be Their Undoing in the Playoffs
The Eagles deserve a ton of credit for gutting out a win over the Bills in Buffalo on Sunday afternoon. The team still has a shot at the NFC's No. 2 seed.
A return trip to the Super Bowl is another matter.
Philly's offense could do nothing in the second half against Buffalo. Facing one of the NFL's worst run defenses, Saquon Barkley had just 68 rushing yards on 19 carries. Quarterback Jalen Hurts completed less than half of his passes for 110 yards.
Yes, the weather was bad, especially in the first half. But this isn't the first time the Eagles have struggled moving the ball despite an offense loaded with talent.
It didn't stop them from winning the NFC East. But it's going to keep them out of Santa Clara in February.
Winner: Edge Jalyx Hunt, Philadelphia Eagles
The Eagles defense won this game for Philadelphia, so it's only fair that a defender gets "Winner" honors this week.
Second-year pro Jalyx Hunt had himself a day against the Bills—seven total tackles, four solos, three tackles for loss and a pair of sacks of Josh Allen.
Bills Takeaway: Bad Coaching Cost the Bills the AFC East
Don't tell us about the analytics. Or the fact that more and more teams have been going for two at the end of games rather than forcing overtime. Don't care that Buffalo's last PAT was blocked.
The Bills dominated the second half of Sunday's game and were in position to come back from a 13-0 deficit and force OT when they had all the momentum.
They will still play one more game at Highmark Stadium—a meaningless season finale against the Jets. But after that, it's on the road for the postseason.
And it didn't have to be like this.
Loser: LB Terrel Bernard, Buffalo Bills
It has been a rough season for Bills inside linebacker Terrel Bernard—the defensive captain had already missed time this year with multiple injuries and had only just returned to action after dislocating his elbow.
The 26-year-old didn't even make it through the first half without sustaining a new injury. This time it's his calf—and given next week's minimal stakes, his regular season (at least) appears to be over.
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New York Giants vs. Las Vegas Raiders
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Score: Giants 34, Raiders 10
Giants Takeaway: Big Blue Can Still Acquire Assets for Its 1st-Round Pick
With all the talk about the "Tank Bowl" between the Giants and Raiders, Big Blue is still in the No. 2 spot for the 2026 draft following a win over Las Vegas. If the Giants lose to the Dallas Cowboys next week, they'll hold on to that pick and likely garner trade offers from teams that want to move up for a quarterback.
Assuming the Giants see Jaxson Dart as a franchise signal-caller, they should be open to trade-back offers. If Indiana's Fernando Mendoza and Oregon's Dante Moore enter the 2026 draft, they could be No. 1 and No. 2 in the selection order.
Winner: WR Wan'Dale Robinson, New York Giants
Robinson reached a noteworthy milestone, eclipsing 1,000 receiving yards for the season. He caught a season-high 11 passes for 113 yards. The 24-year-old will be a free agent in the offseason, so his market value will see an uptick with this performance.
In March, Robinson could garner interest from teams willing to pay him close to $20 million annually, which is comparable to the Jacksonville Jaguars' extension for Jakobi Meyers, who also has one 1,000-yard receiving season.
Raiders Takeaway: Maxx Crosby Must See the Bigger Picture in Las Vegas
While some Raider fans are salivating over the possibility of their team picking first in the draft, Crosby isn't happy about the club placing him on injured reserve.
According to Fox Sports' Jay Glazer, Crosby didn't agree with the decision to shut him down for the season, and now questions linger about his commitment to the Raiders.
Keep in mind that ESPN's Adam Schefter reported that Crosby will need knee surgery.
Though Crosby could've played with the injury, the Raiders made a long-term decision to end his season with the No. 1 pick in sight. While you understand Crosby's competitive perspective, Las Vegas did what was best in the big picture.
Crosby can get surgery and start his recovery early, and the Raiders fielded a less competitive team without him, inching closer to the top pick and a top quarterback prospect.
Loser: RB Ashton Jeanty, Las Vegas Raiders
After his best showing of the season, Jeanty couldn't get much going against the Giants' 31st-ranked run defense. He logged 16 carries for 60 yards and caught two passes for 13 yards.
With another strong outing, Jeanty may have been able to generate some Offensive Rookie of the Year buzz with the most rushing yards and scrimmage yards in the class, but he's well behind Carolina Panthers wide receiver Tetairoa McMillan in terms of impact. Also, New Orleans Saints quarterback Tyler Shough has made significant strides as of late.
Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Indianapolis Colts
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Score: Jaguars 23, Colts 17
Jaguars Takeaway: One More Win to Claim AFC South Title and Possibly More
The Jacksonville Jaguars didn't play nearly as well Sunday as they have in recent weeks, but they took care of business and kept themselves in the driver's seat for their first division title since the 2022 campaign.
As long as Liam Coen's squad handles business at home against the lowly Tennessee Titans in Week 18, Jacksonville will claim a top-three seed in the AFC, with an outside shot of being the conference's top team if the New England Patriots and Denver Broncos falter.
Winner: WR Parker Washington, Jacksonville Jaguars
Washington's emergence as one of the NFL's most dangerous offensive weapons continued in Week 17.
The 2023 sixth-round pick posted his second straight game with 100 yards, the first two such contests of his three-year career.
He has quickly become a favorite target for Lawrence because of his ability to shake loose on underneath and intermediate routes, often creating yards after the catch.
Washington and Jakobi Meyers seem to be favored even more than last year's No. 1 target, Brian Thomas Jr.
Colts Takeaway: Historic Collapse Shouldn't Signal Regime Change
Indianapolis owned an 8-2 record and the No. 1 seed in the AFC after its Week 10 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. The team entered its bye week feeling great, but the Colts have failed to win a game since then.
A fourth-quarter collapse against the Kansas City Chiefs and underwhelming effort against the Houston Texans were followed by Daniel Jones' season-ending injury. Furthermore, key contributors, such as Sauce Gardner and DeForest Buckner, missed significant time as well.
Colts' ownership should look at what the team did to start the season and not make changes based on the extenuating circumstances found later in the campaign.
Despite everything, Indianapolis continued to fight and remained in every contest, even when it was forced to turn to a 44-year-old quarterback who hadn't played in five years.
Loser: RB Jonathan Taylor, Indianapolis Colts
The Colts tried to lean on their Pro Bowl running back once again to poor results.
Taylor looked to be well on his way toward winning a rushing triple crown after Week 10. He's failed to run for 90 yards in each of the last six games. He averaged 4.0 yards per carry only once during that stretch. Furthermore, the Colts offense became predictable and unimaginative without Jones in the lineup, thus limiting his overall effectiveness.
The one-time leading candidate for NFL Offensive Player of the Year likely won't even win his second rushing title based on the current trend.
Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Cleveland Browns
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Score: Browns 13, Steelers 6
Browns Takeaway: Cleveland Has to Get the Defense Some Help in the Offseason
Sunday's rather unattractive win over the Pittsburgh Steelers doesn't save another miserable season in Cleveland. It won't fix the team's issues at quarterback or along the offensive line.
But spoiling Pittsburgh's chances to clinch the AFC North did hammer home just how good the Cleveland defense has been—and just how badly the Browns need to build an offense to compliment them.
The Browns didn't make a lot of big plays Sunday—edge-rusher Myles Garrett is still searching for his record-breaking 23rd sack. But they held Pittsburgh to under 300 yards of offense, limited Aaron Rodgers to 168 passing yards and the Steelers to just three third-down conversions and six points.
Winner: LB Carson Schwesinger, Cleveland Browns
Schwesinger has consistently shined as a rookie in Cleveland—so much so that he entered Week 17 fifth in the league with 147 tackles and as the prohibitive favorite to win Defensive Rookie of the Year honors.
The second-rounder out of UCLA did nothing to hurt his chances Sunday—despite being clearly hobbled much of the game, Schwesinger tied for the team lead with nine total tackles.
Steelers Takeaway: So Much for These Steelers Being Different
This year was going to be different.
These Steelers weren't just going to post a record of .500 or better or sneak into the playoffs and get pounded in the Wild Card Round. After three straight wins (including victories over the Detroit Lions and Baltimore Ravens, all they needed to do was defeat the struggling Browns to capture the AFC North.
Instead, after a listless loss in Cleveland, the Steelers have to beat the Ravens at home next week to win the division and avoid another "meh" campaign.
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Loser: QB Aaron Rodgers, Pittsburgh Steelers
Yes, Rodgers isn't the player he once was. Yes, the Browns have one of the best pass defenses in the NFL.
But in a must-win game, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt and failing to throw a touchdown pass just isn't good enough for a team with illusions of being a contender in the AFC.
New Orleans Saints vs. Tennessee Titans
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Score: Saints 34, Titans 26
Saints Takeaway: Building Blocks Are In Place
The New Orleans Saints were generally viewed as the NFL's worst team entering this season. They looked the part to start the campaign by losing eight of their first nine games. That's no longer the case.
New Orleans won its last four games and five of its last seven.
Clearly, head coach Kellen Moore has his team pulling in the right direction, while rookie Tyler Shough is going to be the franchise's starting quarterback going into next season.
Those two establishing themselves this season is all the Saints could have hoped for and more.
Winner: RB Audric Estime, New Orleans Saints
More praise could be heaped on another outstanding effort from Shough, but let's concentrate on a different young contributor.
Estime provided a career-high 94 rushing yards Sunday, including a 32-yard touchdown scamper after bouncing off blockers and finding a lane to exploit.
Alvin Kamara will be 31 next season. The veteran will also have an $18.6 million salary-cap charge in 2026. The Saints could eventually turn the ground game over to Estime or try to maximize the final year of Kamara's contract by lessening his workload as a runner and using him more in the pass game since he's on pace for the fewest receptions during his nine-year career.
Titans Takeaway: Tennessee Isn't Appealing Job for Head Coaching Candidates
It's often said there are only 32 NFL head coaching gigs, which makes each one appealing. The saying is cliche and not necessarily true.
Ben Johnson proved a year ago that an in-demand coordinator can decide not to take a job and wait for a better one a year later.
In the case of the Titans, the team is in the midst of a long-term rebuild. Cam Ward has shown promise, which is a solid starting point, but the roster needs significant additions up and down the lineup.
The team isn't built for a quick turnaround after back-to-back seasons among the league's worst.
Loser: QB Cam Ward, Tennessee Titans
This year's No. 1 overall pick looked across the field and saw a superior rookie quarterback in the Saints' Shough.
Shough outplayed Ward head-to-head.
Granted, Ward is in a situation where he's forced to do and create more because of the lack of talent around him. Situation matters, which only adds to the case that Ward did not come out on the better end of Sunday's meeting.
The Titans must do everything in their power to properly build around Ward or risk ruining yet another first-round quarterback.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Miami Dolphins
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Score: Dolphins 20, Buccaneers 17
Dolphins Takeaway: Miami owner Made Right Decision with Midseason Shakeup
Stephen Ross fired general manager Chris Grier on Halloween. At that time, a complete overhaul was expected after Miami's 2-7 start.
Ross decided to keep head coach Mike McDaniel in place. With Sunday's victory over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, the Dolphins won five of their last seven contests.
McDaniel even made the decision to bench starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa in favor of seventh-round rookie Quinn Ewers. The Dolphins still found a way to win and play spoiler against the Bucs.
The head coach and his staff should feel comfortable with their standing going into the offseason.
Winner: QB Quinn Ewers, Miami Dolphins
Ewers' performance Sunday validated McDaniel's decision to bench the team's $212.4 million quarterback. The rookie provided a fantastic first half by completing 10 of 14 passes for 144 yards and a pair of touchdown passes.
Granted, Ewers could have performed much better during the final two frames. But he did more than enough, as the Dolphins held off the Buccaneers.
The first-year signal-caller has one more game to put on his resume before going into the offseason with a major organizational decision needed at the game's most important position.
Buccaneers Takeaway: Everything Rides on Week 18 Meeting With Carolina Panthers
Tampa Bay is fortunate. Yes, the Bucs have lost four straight games and seven of their last eight. But they're lucky to play in the NFL's weakest division because their Week 18 contest against the Panthers will determine who comes out of the NFC South to join the postseason.
All of those previous losses won't matter if Baker Mayfield and Co. can pull it together and rebound to capture a fifth straight division crown.
Once the postseason begins, a team's performance in November and December no longer matters.
Loser: Buccaneers' Run Game
Tampa Bay has plenty of weapons on offense. The team got healthier down the stretch, which was supposed to allow that side of the ball to take off and play better.
Mayfield hasn't been anywhere near as good over the second half of the season compared to the first.
At the same time, the Dolphins shut down Tampa's run game forcing Mayfield to do too much. Taking the quarterback out of the equation, the Bucs ran the ball 13 times for 37 yards. Mayfield is a much better quarterback when the play-action passing attack is effective. Tampa has to generate something on the ground.
Seattle Seahawks vs. Carolina Panthers
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Score: Seahawks 27, Panthers 10
Seahawks Takeaway: Sam Darnold Must Address Turnover Issue Before NFC West Showdown
Darnold didn't look impressive against the Panthers, throwing for 147 yards, a touchdown and an interception. He turned the ball over twice, in the first and third quarters, but Seattle still won by 17 against a team that lost its juice in the second half.
Over the last two weeks, the quarterback has thrown three interceptions and lost a fumble. Sooner or later, his miscues will come back to bite the Seahawks. He has to clean up his tendencies with the NFC's No. 1 seed at stake next week.
Winner: RB Zach Charbonnet, Seattle Seahawks
Charbonnet ran through the Panthers defense for 110 yards and two touchdowns, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. When relied upon, he's shown the ability to be productive while handling the majority workload. With his two scores, he notched a single-season high of 11 touchdowns from scrimmage.
Panthers Takeaway: Carolina Blew an Opportunity to Eliminate Tampa Bay in NFC South Title Race
If the Panthers had beaten the Seahawks, they would've won the NFC South title, but they fell back into a pattern of alternating wins and losses. Perhaps their win-loss trend bodes well for them in a division-title game next week, but Carolina's inconsistencies show why it's a tough club to trust in big games.
The Panthers went into halftime tied 3-3 and lost the scoring battle 24-7 in the second half. The team lacked urgency in what could've been a big win in front of its home fans.
Loser: HC Dave Canales, Carolina Panthers
In Carolina's home season finale, with a chance to clinch a division title, Canales didn't have his team ready to play with a closeout mindset. Instead, the Panthers matched the Seahawks' sloppiness in the first half, but unlike Seattle, they didn't wake up in the second half.
Now, the Panthers must go on the road to win the NFC South title. They are 0-2 against the Buccaneers in Tampa Bay with Bryce Young as their starting quarterback.
Arizona Cardinals vs. Cincinnati Bengals
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Score: Bengals 37, Cardinals 14
Bengals Takeaway: Cincinnati Builds Positive Momentum As Season Nears End
Obviously, the Bengals hoped the 2025 campaign could have gone much better than missing the postseason for the third straight campaign, with six wins being the fewest during Zac Taylor's tenure as head coach.
Another significant injury to Joe Burrow certainly played a part, with the quarterback openly questioning his joy for the game upon his return to the lineup.
However, back-to-back wins, with an opportunity to win three straight to end the season, create some positive momentum. Burrow should be in the right frame of mind heading into the offseason, while the Bengals organization can do what's necessary to build around the quarterback properly and address the defensive side of the ball.
Winner: RB Chase Brown, Cincinnati Bengals
Brown turned into a big part of the Bengals' success during the squad's current two-game winning streak.
Last week against the Miami Dolphins, the running back produced 109 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns. He added 141 yards and two scores Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.
Brown is now 53 rushing yards away from his first 1,000-yard campaign, with an outside shot of reaching 1,500 yards from scrimmage. He's set to produce his best season while looking for a contract extension with only one year remaining on his rookie contract.
Cardinals Takeaway: Arizona Season Continues Downward Spiral
Since winning their last game in Week 9, the Cardinals lost eight straight. Arizona's effort has gotten progressively worse, too.
The team has surrendered at least 37 points in three of their last four games. The outcome of Sunday's contest wasn't in doubt by the middle of the third quarter. The Bengals eased off in the fourth.
Arizona is limping its way to the finish line, and regime changes seem more obvious than ever.
Loser: Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon
When a head coach has a defensive background, a team losing by an average of 19.5 points per game over the course of a month is simply unacceptable.
The Cardinals regressed dramatically this season without any obvious reason why, which points to a coaching staff not having the team properly prepared or motivated.
Three years with Gannon at the helm and no playoff appearances is probably enough in Arizona.
New England Patriots vs. New York Jets
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Score: Patriots 42, Jets 10
Patriots Takeaway: Drake Maye's Efficient Outing Tightens MVP Race
The Patriots made sure to feature Maye in their win over the Jets before they pulled him in a blowout. He completed 19 out of 21 passes for 256 yards and five touchdowns. He played through about half the third quarter.
Maye had an efficient outing that bolstered his MVP resume, which may come down to him against Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, who will play the Atlanta Falcons on Monday. The Patriots signal-caller has thrown for 30 touchdowns, compared to Stafford's 40, and he's rushed for four scores.
Maye could take home some hardware at the 2026 NFL Honors ceremony.
Winner: HC Mike Vrabel, New England Patriots
Vrabel kept New England focused against a lesser opponent. On Sunday, some of the top teams looked sloppy with seeding on the line. The Patriots didn't take their foot off the gas pedal and remained in the driver's seat for the AFC East title (later winning it following the Buffalo Bills' loss), while keeping the pressure on the Denver Broncos for the No. 1 seed.
Jets Takeaway: Young Jets Are Getting Valuable Reps for Next Season
With several key players out or on injured reserve, the Jets' second- and third-stringers played meaningful snaps against one of the league's best teams. As many expected, Gang Green lost in blowout fashion, but the young players can learn from this experience and bolster the team's depth next season.
Loser: New York Jets Fans
Though Jets fans probably expected a loss, no one wants to see their team lose by 30-plus points to a division rival in the home season finale. New York fans in attendance watched their club put up little fight in its final showing at MetLife Stadium.
Houston Texans vs. Los Angeles Chargers
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Score: Texans 20, Chargers 16
Texans Takeaway: Offense Must Lean Into Aggressive Early Approach
The Houston Texans have the sort of defense that can carry them deep into the postseason. For much of the season, though, their offense has struggled to keep pace.
Houston entered Saturday ranked just 19th in scoring, and it didn't exactly rack up the points against a playoff-caliber Los Angeles Chargers defense. However, the Texans managed to strike early, strike first, and force the Chargers to chase.
Offensive coordinator Nick Caley dialed up deep shots on two early 3rd-and-short situations, yielding touchdowns of 75 and 43 yards.
Those early scores changed the complexion of Saturday's game. The offense should look to replicate that plan heading into the playoffs because Houston is at its most dangerous when its defense can play aggressively while protecting a lead.
Winner: LB Azeez Al-Shaair, Houston Texans
The entire Houston defense probably deserves a game ball for overcoming two C.J. Stroud interceptions and holding the Chargers to 16 points. However, linebacker Azeez Al-Shaair deserves to be singled out for his heads-up interception that likely took Chargers points off the board.
After a deep pass moved Los Angeles into the red zone, Justin Herbert found tight end Oronde Gadsden II near the goal line. However, the ball bounced off Gadsden's hands, Al-Shaair plucked it out of the air, and the Texans maintained a double-digit lead that they eventually carried into halftime.
Chargers Takeaway: L.A. Threw Away Its Chance to Win the AFC West
The Chargers' loss locked up the AFC West for the Denver Broncos, and it ensured that Los Angeles will be on the road to open the postseason. Had the Chargers won, they'd have played Denver for the division title in Week 18.
And the Chargers had chances to take this game, even after going down 14-0 early. Unfortunately, they repeatedly fumbled opportunities away with untimely miscues and preventable mistakes.
Along with a ferocious Texans defense, that red-zone interception, kicking mishaps, dropped passes, and infrequent but costly penalties proved to be too much to overcome.
Loser: K Cameron Dicker, Los Angeles Chargers
The Chargers can't and shouldn't put their loss on one person. However, Cameron Dicker, who leads the NFL in all-time field-goal percentage, will feel like a scapegoat on Sunday morning. He missed a field goal and an extra point in what was ultimately a four-point game.
Baltimore Ravens vs. Green Bay Packers
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Score: Ravens 41, Packers 26
Ravens Takeaway: Leading With Derrick Henry is a Good Idea
The Baltimore Ravens kept their hopes of winning the AFC North and reaching the playoffs alive, at least for a day. They probably wouldn't have done it without a massive day from running back Derrick Henry.
Tyler Huntley played well in place of Lamar Jackson (back), but it was Henry who repeatedly pulled the Ravens' offense along while wearing down the Packers' defense.
A week after logging just 18 carries and spending much of the fourth quarter on the sideline—in a loss—Henry racked up 36 carries for 216 yards and four touchdowns.
Winner: RB Derrick Henry, Baltimore Ravens
Though Baltimore will still be eliminated with a Pittsburgh Steelers win on Sunday, Henry helped carry the Ravens to a much-needed win. Along the way, he passed Tony Dorsett for the No. 10 spot on the NFL's all-time rushing list and recorded an NFL-record seventh game with at least 200 rushing yards.
Henry will be headed to the Pro Football Hall of Fame five years after he decides to call it a career, and games like Saturday's are why.
Packers Takeaway: Malik Willis Will Draw Plenty of Attention in Free Agency
Though he couldn't do enough to get the win, Malik Willis had an impressive game playing in place of Jordan Love (concussion). He finished with 288 passing yards, one passing touchdown, 60 rushing yards, and two rushing touchdowns.
Willis has regularly played well when called upon for the Packers, which is noteworthy, considering how poorly his two seasons with the Tennessee Titans went. He just had one of the best games of his career, in time to increase his stock ahead of 2026 free agency.
At worst, the 26-year-old should become one of the league's better-paid backups. Depending on how the rest of the QB market shapes up, he might get an opportunity to compete for a starting job somewhere.
Loser: Packers Fans
Injuries are clearly part of the problem for Green Bay. They lost star pass-rusher Micah Parsons to a season-ending ACL tear in Week 15, and they didn't have Love in this one.
However, that won't comfort Packers fans in the wake of a miserable defensive performance and a loss that clinched the NFC North for the Chicago Bears. After losing three straight, Green Bay no longer feels like a team that can go deep in the postseason.
This is far from where fans expected this team to be after a 2-0 start.
Denver Broncos vs. Kansas City Chiefs
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Score: Broncos 20, Chiefs 13
Broncos Takeaway: Denver's Penchant for Living Dangerously Will Cost Them in the Playoffs
The Broncos just walked out of Arrowhead Stadium with a win. Win next week, and they will be the No. 1 seed in the AFC. It has been quite the season in the Mile High City, but it's going to end short of the Super Bowl.
That's not necessarily a knock on the Broncos. They have thrived in one-score games. They have come from behind so many times this year that it's hard to keep track.
But that's the problem. Denver needed 60 minutes to get past a Chiefs team starting a relatively unknown quarterback. Every victory is seemingly a battle.
It won't be surprising if the Chargers beat the Broncos in Week 18. It will be even less surprising when the level of competition increases, and the late-game juju runs out.
Winner: RB RJ Harvey, Denver Broncos
On a per-touch basis, Harvey's Week 17 effort wasn't especially impressive—he averaged just 3.1 yards per carry. But he did what the Broncos need him to (19 touches), and the rookie found the end zone for the 11th time this season.
He may not win Offensive Rookie of the Year, but he's on the short list.
Chiefs Takeaway: These are Uncharted Waters for the Chiefs
It's hardly a surprise that a Chiefs team led by a third-string quarterback making his first career start lost to arguably the AFC's best team.
But that loss was Kansas City's 10th of the season—the first time the franchise has dropped double-digit games since 2012. The Chiefs have lost five straight. The most dominant team of the last decade has stumbled badly in 2025.
Patrick Mahomes tore up his knee. Travis Kelce is as likely as not gone after the season. The offensive line is (and has been) a mess. The run game is non-existent.
The Chiefs have entered offseason after offseason looking to reload more than rebuild. But the leaks that sank the team in Super Bowl LIX have been that much more evident this season even before Mahomes got hurt.
There's work to do at 1 Arrowhead Drive.
Loser: TE Travis Kelce, Kansas City Chiefs
Could Kelce decide to run it back again in 2026? Sure. He isn't the player he once was after 13 seasons, but he's still a top-10 (if not top-five) tight end.
However, the 36-year-old will also see the writing on the wall: The bill has come due in Kansas City. A combination of salary-cap constraints and missed draft picks have made the Chiefs mortal. They won't be legitimate contenders for a trip to SoFi Stadium in February 2027.
And playing out the string on what may be one of the worst teams he's played on probably isn't what the future Hall of Famer had in mind for his finale.
Detroit Lions vs. Minnesota Vikings
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Score: Vikings 23, Lions 10
Vikings Takeaway: The Vikings are a Very Good Team with a Very Big Problem.
That the Vikings crushed the hopes and dreams of their NFC North rivals with a quarterback who threw for 51 yards is a testament to the team's defense, the offensive line and pretty much every position bar the most important one in football.
That's also why the Vikings will be watching the playoffs on television: The team's quarterback situation is unsettled.
The Vikings let the QB leading the NFC's No. 1 seed walk out the door in favor of an inconsistent, oft-injured youngster, kept largely because of sunk-cost fallacy. But now the team has to decide what to do next.
Does J.J. McCarthy get another shot to lead the offense in 2026, or will the Vikings look for a reset with a veteran?
It's a question that will define 2026 just as the decision to move on from Sam Darnold defined 2025. But given the team's salary-cap situation, it may be a decision that will be made more from necessity than desire.
Winner: S Harrison Smith, Minnesota Vikings
Given he's about to turn 37, this is likely the end of the line for Smith. If it is, he has had a career that will get him squarely in the conversation for a bust in Canton.
Smith had just three tackles on Christmas, but all three were behind the line of scrimmage, including a sack. He also logged the 39th interception of his career, leaving him one pick shy of becoming the third player in NFL history to log 40 career interceptions and 20 sacks.
Lions Takeaway: Detroit Needs a Real Offensive Coordinator
Dan Campbell is rightly regarded as one of the best head coaches in the NFL, but his decision to assume play-calling duties for the Lions has not worked out.
Detroit's six turnovers Thursday didn't help matters, but a Lions offense loaded with talent at every level has been wildly inconsistent over the second half of the season. The team had 231 yards of offense against the Vikings. The worst offense in the NFL entering Week 17 (Las Vegas Raiders) is averaging 248.9.
After being eliminated from the postseason, the Lions badly need to find their next Ben Johnson—and then Campbell needs to step back from play-calling.
Loser: RB Jahmyr Gibbs, Detroit Lions
For a big chunk of the 2025 season, Gibbs looked like one of the most dangerous offensive players in the NFL. He has been far less impactful lately, though.
The clamps were on again at U.S. Bank Stadium. The 23-year-old had just 64 total yards, averaged a miserable 2.4 yards per carry and was held out of the end zone.
Dallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders
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Score: Cowboys 30, Commanders 23
Cowboys Takeaway: Dallas Acting Like a Team That Plans to Contend Next Season
The Dallas Cowboys were eliminated from postseason contention last week, but they're not planning on staying down for long.
"We won't be back here in this spot," quarterback Dak Prescott said ahead of Thursday's game, per ESPN's Todd Archer.
Dallas didn't look like a team merely playing for pride in its penultimate game of the 2025 season. The divisional matchup brought plenty of intensity, and the Cowboys were aggressive from the get-go, repeatedly going for it on fourth down.
The Cowboys very much acted like a team trying to find momentum ahead of the playoffs—or a better 2026 season. Now 7-8-1, they should be just a few pieces away from turning things around next season.
Winner: Head Coach Brian Schottenheimer, Dallas Cowboys
Every year, we see teams seemingly going through the motions after being eliminated from postseason contention. The fact that Dallas rebounded from its three-game losing streak and put together a strong performance in this one reflects positively on head coach Brian Schottenheimer.
His first season didn't go as the Cowboys and their fans had hoped, but there are reasons to believe he can lead them to more successful campaigns moving forward.
Commanders Takeaway: Washington Will Have Some Tough Decisions to Make in Free Agency
Washington Commanders general manager Adam Peters aggressively added veteran talent over the last two offseasons to help jump-start the franchise's latest rebuild.
The plan worked initially, as Washington reached the NFC title game in Year 1 of the Dan Quinn-Jayden Daniels era. Unfortunately, this season brought the Commanders back to reality. Building a perennial contender will be a lengthy process.
The Commanders have several aging veterans who are scheduled to be free agents in 2026, and it won't be easy to pick who stays and who goes. Several of those impending free agents—including Josh Johnson, Deebo Samuel, Bobby Wagner, Von Miller and Tress Way—were among Washington's most impactful players on Thursday.
Loser: The Commanders' Defensive Outlook
To be fair, Washington's defense was much more respectable in the second half than it was before intermission. However, Dallas still racked up 480 total yards, controlled the ball for more than 38 minutes and ended the game with a clock-killing offensive drive.
Defense has been a major liability for the Commanders this season, and it's clear that some significant changes are in order.
Dan Quinn took play-calling duties from Joe Whitt Jr. earlier this season, meaning Washington will probably be in the market for a new defensive coordinator. With players like Miller, Wagner, Jonathan Jones and Noah Igbinoghene set to be free agents, substantial roster retooling will likely be in order, too.
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.jpg?w=600 "Strength of Schedule for Every Team")
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.jpg?w=600 "Walker Knew He'd Leave Seahawks")
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