NFL 2025 Week 17 Prequel
Christmas Thursday December 25, 2025, 1pm
Dallas Cowboys (-7) at Washington Commanders — Both teams are bad. It is time to stop making excuses for the Cowboys because their potential means nothing. The spread is too high for a road team that plays down. Cowboys win but fail to cover
4:30pm
Detroit Lions (-7 1/2) at Minnesota Vikings — Las year the Lions were 15-2 and the Vikings were 14-3. he Lions lost Ben Johnson and the Vikings lost Sam Darnold. This is not the same Lions team. They can still score in bunches but not consistently. The Lions are the better team but the spread is too high for a road team not playing that well. The Lions are desperate while the Vikings are done. Go with the desperate team. Lions win but fail to cover
8pm
Denver Broncos (-3 1/2) at Kansas City Chiefs — The 12-3 Broncos lost at home last week to Jacksonville but still sit atop the conference and the division by one game. For the first time in the Patrick Mahomes era, the Chiefs have a losing record. Mahomes is out injured and the Chiefs are down to their third string quarterback. The Chiefs are wounded. Yet this might be Travis Kelce’s final home game before retirement. The Chiefs will play hard. Broncos win but fail to cover
Sunday, December 28, 1pm
Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers (-1 1/2) — he 10-5 Texans and 11-4 Chargers are both one game back in their respective divisions, with the Chargers being one game back in the conference as well. Both teams have great quarterbacks and stout defenses. Home field means little. The Texans barely survived the Raiders. This could go down to the final play. Chargers cover
Baltimore Ravens at Green Bay Packers (-3) — The 7-8 ravens are on the brink of playoff elimination while the 9-5 Packers are 1 1/2 games back in their division thanks to a shocking loss at Chicago where they dominated for 59 minutes and gave the game away. Lamar Jackson has battled injuries all year. Expect the Packers to be angry at home and handle business. Packers cover
Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) at Cleveland Browns — The Steelers can lock up the division with a win. The Browns are done for the year. Expect the big brother to beat up on the little brother for the billionth time. Steelers cover
New England Patriots (-13 1/2) at New York Jets — The Patriots are only one game up in their division and one game back in the conference. The Jets were done weeks ago. Yet the spread is too high for a road team, especially since a garbage touchdown at home is reasonable. Patriots win b ut fail to cover
New Orleans Saints (-2 1/2) at Tennessee Titans — Neither team is any good but they both won last week. The Saints are improved under Tyler Shough. That should be just enough to eke out a win. Saints cover
Jacksonville Jaguars (-6 1/2) at Indianapolis Colts — The 11-4 Jaguars can officially knock the 8-7 olds out of the playoffs. Old Man Phillip Rivers has played well, but The Jaguars are just flat out good. The Jaguars are one game up in their division and one game back in the conference. Trevor Lawrence is playing well. The spread is too high for a road team playing a team fighting for its life. Jaguars win but fail to cover
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-5 1/2) at Miami Dolphins — The 7-8 Buccaneers are in utter free fall but are only one game back in their division. The Dolphins are done. Go with the team that has everything to play for, especially given how lifeless the Dolphins looked at home last week against Cincinnati. Baker Mayfield should be able to spread the ball around. Tua Tagovailoa is benched. Buccaneers cover.
Seattle Seahawks (-7) at Carolina Panthers — 10 years ago this was the NFC Title Game. Now it is a battle between a great 12-3 Seahawks team and an improving 8-7 Panthers squad. The Seahawks seized control of their division, leading the division and the conference by one game. The Panthers lead their division by one game as well. Go with the great team and the great defense. Seahawks cover
Arizona Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals (-7) — Both teams are done but the Bengals are a much better team with a healthy Joe Burrow. after watching him lead 5 straight scoring drives last week at Miami, he should be unstoppable against the Cardinals. Bengals cover
4pm
New York Giants (-1 1/2) at Las Vegas Raiders — This is the Stupor Bowl. Both teams are 2-13. The loser is almost guaranteed the top pick in the Draft. One team seems desperate to win this game and the other does not. The Giants brought Tommy Cutlets DeVito back to back up Jaxson Dart. The Raiders shut down Brock Bowers for the year. Go with the team that seems to care. Giants cover
Philadelphia Eagles at Buffalo Bills (-1 1/2) — The 10-5 Eagles are at the 11-4 Bills. The Eagles have clinched the NFC East, but home field advantage throughout the playoffs seems out of reach. The Bills are one game back in their division but the conference and home field for them is also pretty much out of reach. The Bills have an explosive offense while the Eagles offense has struggled. At home, go with the Bills Mafia and the better offense. Bills cover
8pm
Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers (-3) — From 1984 through 1990, these teams battled for NFC supremacy. Then the Bears took 35 years off. Yet now both teams are 11-4. The Bears are 1 1/2 games up in their division and can lock up the NFC North with a win. The 49ers are one game back in their division. Both teams are one game back in the conference. Both teams have good quarterbacks and good defenses. Both Ben Johnson and Kyle Shanahan are innovative offensive minds. Go with the team with more experience and more offensive weapons. 49ers cover
Monday, December 29, 8pm
Los Angles Rams (-7 1/2) at Atlanta Falcons — After a brutally tough loss at Seattle last week, the Rams will be an angry bunch. at 11-4, they are one game back in their division and the conference. The Falcons are done. The spread is still high for a road team playing against a division rival that has some offensive talent. Rams win but fail to cover