The NFL’s Christmas Day slate lacks sizzle but there are marquee matchups across the league over the weekend.
The Los Angeles Chargers will try to get revenge against the Houston Texans Dec. 27. The next day, the Philadelphia Eagles travel to Buffalo to take on the Bills in what could be a Super Bowl 60 preview. “Sunday Night Football” features the upstart Chicago Bears taking on a battle-tested San Francisco 49ers team.
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Week 17 ends with the Los Angeles Rams battling the Falcons in Atlanta during the final “Monday Night Football” game of 2025.
The penultimate week of the regular season is here. USA TODAY Sports provides the early predictions for Week 17:
Odds courtesy of BetMGM.
NFL Week 17 predictions, picksDallas Cowboys vs. Washington Commanders
Date: Thursday, Dec. 25
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Northwest Stadium, Landover, MD
TV: N/A
Streaming: Netflix
Spread: Cowboys (-6.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Cowboys 30, Commanders 21
A pride bowl in the nation’s capital. Both non-playoff teams are just playing for pride and bragging rights. The Cowboys, at least, have a healthy quarterback and one of the top offenses in the NFL.
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Date: Thursday, Dec. 25
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis
TV: N/A
Streaming: Netflix
Spread: Lions (-6)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Lions 27, Vikings 17
Last week’s loss gave the Lions an 8% chance to make the postseason. Detroit needs to win out and get a lot of help. Vikings QB J.J. McCarthy can’t stay healthy. The desperate Lions get a win with their playoff hopes hanging by a thread.
Date: Thursday, Dec. 25
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, MO
TV: N/A
Streaming: Prime Video
Spread: Broncos (-13)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Broncos 27, Chiefs 16
The Chiefs are limping toward the finish line. This could be Travis Kelce’s final game in Kansas City. Denver is vying for the No. 1 seed in the AFC. Denver completes the season sweep of the Chiefs.
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Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa’s effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Detroit Lions wide receiver Isaac TeSlaa (18) makes a catch for a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Lambeau Field. The play was originally ruled an incomplete pass, but the call was overturned. Despite TeSlaa’s effort, the Packers won the game 27-13.
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Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: The New England Patriots’ Robert Spillane (14) and Christian Elliss (53) tackle Las Vegas Raiders tight end Michael Mayer (87) during the second half at Gillette Stadium. The Raiders won the game, 20-13.
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Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: New York Giants quarterback Russell Wilson (3) fumbles the ball on a tackle by Washington Commanders safety Will Harris (3) during the first quarter at Northwest Stadium. It was a rough Giants debut for Wilson (17 of 37 passing for 168 yards) as the Commanders won the game, 21-6.
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Best images of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: Fireworks go off before the NFL Kickoff Game between the Philadelphia Eagles and Dallas Cowboys at Lincoln Financial Field. The defending Super Bowl champion Eagles opened the season with a 24-20 victory over their longtime NFC East rivals.
Date: Saturday, Dec. 27
Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, CA
TV: NFL Network
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Chargers (-2)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Chargers 23, Texans 22
A healthier and better Chargers O-line struggled against Houston last year. But an inspired Chargers team exacts revenge on the Texans after a postseason loss a year ago.
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Date: Saturday, Dec. 27
Time: 8 p.m. ET
Location: Lambeau Field, Green Bay, WI
TV: N/A
Streaming: Peacock
Spread: Packers (-2.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Packers 28, Ravens 24
The Packers bounce back after a tough loss in Chicago. The Ravens were my preseason Super Bowl pick. A loss here ends Baltimore’s playoff hopes in what’s been a disappointing season. Lamar Jackson hass battled injuries throughout the year and Baltimore’s pass defense is subpar.
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Date: Sunday, Dec. 28
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Bengals (-7)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Bengals 30, Cardinals 21
The Bengals offense caught fire last week. However, it’s too little, too late for Cincinnati. Joe Burrow and company can finish the year on a three-game winning streak with wins over two other non-playoff teams.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 28
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Huntington Bank Field, Cleveland
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Steelers (-4.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Steelers 24, Browns 21
The Steelers might have already clinched the AFC North by the time this game starts, which could impact who suits up. We are all on Myles Garrett sack-record watch.
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Date: Sunday, Dec. 28
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville, TN
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Saints (-2.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Saints 21, Titans 20
Tennessee’s coming off a win against a depleted Chiefs team. The Saints have quietly won three games in a row. New Orleans makes it four straight wins on Sunday.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 6: Washington Commanders wide receiver Chris Moore (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the “Monday Night Football” game against the Chicago Bears at Northwest Stadium. The Commanders wore their all-black alternate uniforms for the game.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 6: Washington Commanders wide receiver Chris Moore (19) celebrates with teammates after scoring a touchdown during the “Monday Night Football” game against the Chicago Bears at Northwest Stadium. The Commanders wore their all-black alternate uniforms for the game.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 6: Atlanta Falcons running back Tyler Allgeier (25) carries the ball for a touchdown against the Buffalo Bills at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Falcons played the game while sporting throwback uniforms that harken back to the team’s inaugural season of 1966.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 6: Buffalo Bills quarterback Josh Allen operates at the line of scrimmage before a play against the Atlanta Falcons during a “Monday Night Football” game at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The Bills wore throwback uniforms reminiscent of the team’s look from 1962-1973 during the game.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 6: Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young looks for a receiver against the Dallas Cowboys at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers wore this uniform combination for the first time in the 30-27 win.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 5: Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray makes a throw during the third quarter against the Tennessee Titans at State Farm Stadium. The Cardinals wore their all-black uniforms, but were defeated 22-21.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 5: Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield awaits the snap against the Seattle Seahawks at Lumen Field. Both teams wore throwback uniforms in the Buccaneers’ 38-35 win. The Buccaneers and Seahawks entered the NFL together as expansion teams in 1976.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 5: Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Tory Horton (15) is congratulated by teammate AJ Barner (88) after catching a touchdown pass against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers during the second half at Lumen Field. The Seahawks wore throwback uniforms harkening back to the team’s original look from 1976-2001.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 5: Los Angeles Chargers running back Omarion Hampton (8) runs against the Washington Commanders during the first quarter at SoFi Stadium. The Chargers wore monochrome powder blue uniform pants and jerseys for the first time.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 5: New York Jets wide receiver Garrett Wilson (5) is tackled by the Dallas Cowboys’ Trevon Diggs (7) and Juanyeh Thomas (2) during the first half at MetLife Stadium. The Cowboys wore their “Arctic White” uniforms for the 37-22 win.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 5: New York Jets quarterback Justin Fields stands in the pocket against the Dallas Cowboys during the first half at MetLife Stadium. The Jets wore their all-black uniforms in the 37-22 loss.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 4: Denver Broncos quarterback Bo Nix (10) hands the ball off to running back J.K. Dobbins during the “Monday Night Football” game against the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. The Broncos wore their “Midnight Navy” uniforms for the 28-3 win.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 3: Baltimore Ravens tight end Charlie Kolar (88) makes a catch during his team’s “Monday Night Football” game against the Detroit Lions at M&T Bank Stadium. The Ravens wore their all-black uniforms for the game dubbed, “Darkness Falls.” Despite the fancy marketing moniker, the Ravens were defeated, 38-30.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 3: New Orleans Saints running back Kendre Miller (5) stiff arms Seattle Seahawks linebacker Tyrice Knight (48) during the second quarter at Lumen Field. The Saints wore their all-white uniform and helmet combo for the first time in the 44-13 loss.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 3: San Francisco 49ers running back Christian McCaffrey carries the ball against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half at Levi’s Stadium. The 49ers wore throwback jerseys – an homage to the team’s 1950s look, as well as its 1994 Super Bowl-winning season – in the 16-15 win against the Cardinals.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 3: New England Patriots tight end Hunter Henry (85) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Gillette Stadium. New England brought out its iconic “Pat Patriot” throwback in the 21-14 defeat.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 3: Tampa Bay Buccaneers running back Rachaad White (1) runs with the ball as New York Jets cornerback Sauce Gardner attempts to make the tackle during the second quarter at Raymond James Stadium. The Buccaneers wore their famous “Creamsicle” throwback uniforms in the 29-27 win.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 3: Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Green Bay Packers during the fourth quarter at Huntington Bank Field. The Browns debuted their “Alpha Dawg” alternate uniform for the 13-10 win.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 3: Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Jourdan Lewis (2) celebrates after making an interception in the fourth quarter against the Houston Texans at EverBank Stadium. The Jaguars wore their “Prowler Throwbacks” – an homage to the team’s late-1990s heyday – for the 17-10 win.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 3: Carolina Panthers tight end JaTavion Saunders runs with the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at Bank of America Stadium. The Panthers wore their special black helmets in the 30-0 win.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 2: Minnesota Vikings quarterback J.J. McCarthy (9) runs the ball against the Atlanta Falcons at U.S. Bank Stadium. Sporting “The Vikings Classic” throwback uniform inspired by the team’s look during the 1960s and ’70s, Minnesota was defeated, 22-6.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 2: The Green Bay Packers’ Micah Parsons (1) reacts during a “Thursday Night Football” game against the Washington Commanders at Lambeau Field. The Packers wore their “Winter Warning” uniforms for the 27-18 win.
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Can’t-miss alternate and throwback uniforms of the 2025 NFL season
Week 1: New Orleans Saints running back Alvin Kamara scores a touchdown against the Arizona Cardinals at Caesars Superdome. The Saints wore their reimagined “Gameday Gold” uniforms for their season opener, marking the first time the team wore gold jerseys since the 2002 season. The Cardinals defeated the Saints, 20-13.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 28
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Jaguars (-6.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Jaguars 28, Colts 20
I have the Colts going on a seven-game losing streak to end the season despite 44-year-old Philip Rivers’ heroics. Jacksonville is one of the hottest teams in the NFL.
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Date: Sunday, Dec. 28
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, FL
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Bucs (-5.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Bucs 25, Dolphins 18
Can the Dolphins spoil Tampa Bay’s season? The Bucs have to win their next two games to win the NFC South title and earn a playoff berth.
New England Patriots vs. New York Jets
Date: Sunday, Dec. 28
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: MetLife Stadium, East Rutherford, NJ
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Patriots (-12.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Patriots 30, Jets 16
The point spread seems high until you realize the Jets are one of the worst teams in the NFL. The Jets are keeping an eye on their draft position, while New England is trying to clinch the AFC’s top seed.
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Seattle Seahawks vs. Carolina Panthers
Date: Sunday, Dec. 28
Time: 1 p.m. ET
Location: Bank of America Stadium, Charlotte, NC
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Seahawks (-7)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Seahawks 26, Panthers 20
This is an interesting matchup between two division leaders. Both teams are coming off of perhaps their biggest victories of the year. Sam Darnold was resilient in Seattle’s comeback win last week. He gets revenge against his former team in Week 17.
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Date: Sunday, Dec. 28
Time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Location: Allegiant Stadium, Las Vegas
TV: CBS
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Raiders (-1.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Giants 20, Raiders 17
This game is all about 2026 NFL draft position. The loser of this contest will be in the driver seat for the No. 1 overall pick in next year’s draft. I think the Raiders are the worst team in the NFL.
Date: Sunday, Dec. 28
Time: 4:25 p.m. ET
Location: Highmark Stadium, Orchard Park, NY
TV: FOX
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Bills (-2.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Eagles 28, Bills 24
A Super Bowl 60 preview in Week 17? DT Jalen Carter and RT Lane Johnson are expected to return this week, two of Philly’s most important players. The defending Super Bowl champs are beginning to play better football at the right time.
Chicago Bears vs. San Francisco 49ers
Date: Sunday, Dec. 28
Time: 8:20 p.m. ET
Location: Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, CA
TV: NBC
Streaming: Peacock
Spread: 49ers (-3)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Bears 25, 49ers 21
A really good matchup between two playoff teams. This game could go either way, but the Bears have found ways to win all season. Ben Johnson and Kyle Shanahan should be the two coach of the year favorites entering this week.
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Los Angeles Rams vs. Atlanta Falcons
Date: Monday, Dec. 29
Time: 8:15 p.m. ET
Location: Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta, GA
TV: ESPN
Streaming: FUBO
Spread: Rams (-8.5)
Tyler Dragon, USA TODAY: Rams 30, Falcons 20
I still believe the Rams are the best team in the NFC despite a Week 16 loss to Seattle. Davante Adams’ absence does hurt the Rams, but they should get the victory against an inferior Atlanta club.
Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Tyler Dragon on X @TheTylerDragon.
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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL Week 17 predictions and odds as playoff field takes shape