NFL Game Week 17 - Schedule, Best Picks & Where to Watch
What a set of games that was in Week 16. It started with a sensational comeback effort by Justin Herbert, and was followed up by arguably the best Chiefs performance of the season, a Jayden Daniels's master class, and more domination by the NFC North. All of the Lions, Packers, and Vikings look red hot at the moment and are genuine contenders for the Super Bowl, and, the fact that Minnesota and Detroit are tied at the top of the division makes these last two weeks fascinating. If both teams can get a win this weekend, it will set up an almighty clash between the two of them in Week 18, to determine the division winner.
The pressure is on for lots of teams as they try to force their way into the playoffs or secure better seeding, so, let’s see what there is to look forward to in the penultimate week of the NFL season. As always, make sure to check our NFL page for up-to-date timings and broadcast information for the full slate.
Kansas City Chiefs @ Pittsburgh Steelers
- Date & Time: Wednesday, December 25, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: Acrisure Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
- Broadcast Details: Netflix
The Chiefs looked in imperious form when downing the Houston Texans by 27 points to 19 in Week 16. Marquis 'Hollywood' Brown slotted into the lineup very nicely in his Chief’s debut, and it is clear that Xavier Worthy is getting more comfortable in the offense. As a result, Patrick Mahomes completed 28 of his 41 passes for 260 yards and a touchdown, whilst adding 33 yards and another score on the ground. With this coming against a sturdy Houston defense, alarm bells should be ringing for the rest of the AFC.
This week, on Christmas Day, Mahomes will set his sights on an even tougher defense, in the Pittsburgh Steelers, who are holding teams to just 19.9 points per game, which is seventh best in the NFL. They are top 10 run defense, but fall to 20th when it comes to stopping the pass, so this should be another good outing from Mahomes and his increasingly healthy wide receiver room.
For Pittsburgh, the key to success may well be George Pickens’s health status. They have been beaten handily in each of their last two games (granted, by good teams), with Pickens’ absence removing the explosive element that is much needed for this passing attack to work. There is hope that he will play, which would be great news for Steelers fans. Kansas City are the third-best team when it comes to stopping the run, but they are middle of the pack when it comes to passing yards conceded per game, with 215.8, which is 17th in the NFL. Hopefully, Pickens can return and try to exploit this.
Prediction/Analysis:
Despite TJ Watt offering up another strong case to win Defensive Player of the Year, alongside a supremely talented defensive line, you just can’t bet against the Chiefs right now. They are getting healthier, and they remain the best-coached team when it comes to handling almost any situation.
Green Bay Packers @ Minnesota Vikings
- Date & Time: Sunday, December 29, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. ET
- Venue: U.S. Bank Stadium, Minneapolis, MN
- Broadcast Details: FOX, Fubo Sports
What a fantastic game this is set up to be. The Minnesota Vikings are currently tied with the Detroit Lions at the top of the NFC, and a win for them here would set up a Week 18 date with Detroit, with the number one seed and division title on the line. The only problem is, the Vikings will have to defeat the very talented Green Bay Packers to get there.
Green Bay ranks seventh in the NFL with 27.5 points per game, and are giving up just 19.1 points per game, which is sixth best in the NFL. Their run game, powered by Josh Jacobs, ranks fourth in the NFL with 147.3, and Jordan Love is averaging 8.4 yards per pass, which is the third-best in the NFL. The fact of the matter is, they are thriving in both the run and pass game, and they are going to be an extremely tough task for the Minnesota Vikings defense, which is conceding the fourth most passing yards per game, with 248.7.
Despite this, however, the 18.4 points given up by Minnesota per game, is good enough for second-best in the NFL. With Minnesota also giving up the second-fewest rushing yards per game, with 87.1, this is a real strength-on-strength matchup.
When Minnesota has the ball, all eyes will be on the resurgent Sam Darnold, who has completed 67.2% of his passes for 3,776 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions. He benefits from arguably the best wide receiver duo in the NFL, in Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison, and they will be tested this week against a Green Bay unit that are giving up the eighth fewest passing yards per game, with 209.7. There are matchups galore in this one, and with the added spice of it being a division rivalry clash, it should be box office entertainment.
Prediction/Analysis:
Both teams in this game are boasting immense talent across the board, but it is Green Bay who I trust more right now. With Jacobs dominating on the ground and Jordan Love playing at the peak of his powers, I think they can go into Minneapolis and spoil the party.
Denver Broncos @ Cincinnati Bengals
- Date & Time: Saturday, December 28, 2024, at 4:30 p.m. ET
- Venue: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
- Broadcast Details: NFL Network, Fubo Sports
The Cincinnati Bengals have the slimmest of chances at making it into the playoffs, helped out by the fact that their opponents this week, the Denver Broncos, are currently holding the final wildcard spot that Joe Burrow and his boys are targeting. We all know that the Bengals have the talent on offense to warrant a playoff spot, with their 28.2 points per game landing sixth in the NFL. However, the 26.2 points per game that their defense has conceded, is the fifth most in the NFL, dropping them to their disappointing 7-8 record, with two games to go.
The Bengals are giving up the 21st most rushing yards per game, and the 26th most passing yards per game, which should catch the eye of rookie quarterback Bo Nix, who has piloted his Broncos offense to 24.2 points per game, which is 10th best in the NFL. He has completed 64.3% of his passes for 3,235 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions so far this year, kickstarting his pro career very nicely. Can he keep up his good run of form and secure a win against a porous defense, which would go a long way toward locking in a playoff berth for Denver?
The Broncos have also been impressive on the defensive side of the ball, conceding just 18.7 points per game, which is fourth-best in the NFL. Their strong point has been stopping the run, holding opponents to just 3.9 yards per carry, which is the third-best in the NFL. They do, however, fall to 19th in the NFL when it comes to stopping the pass, conceding 219.8 passing yards per game, which is good news for Cincinnati. The Bengals boast the most explosive aerial offense in the NFL, landing first in the league with 267.3 yards per game, and completing almost 69% of their passes. There’s no doubt Denver has a strong defense, but there are very few that can slow down Burrow and the Triple Crown-hunting Ja’Marr Chase.
Prediction/Analysis:
It has been a messy season for the Cincinnati Bengals so far, but there is no denying the dominance of their pass game. Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and Tee Higgins are three of the best in the NFL at what they do, and I will be backing them to get the job done for their team in this one.
Detroit Lions @ San Francisco 49ers
Monday, Dec 30th, 8:20 p.m. | ESPN, ABC, ESPN+, Fubo Sports
Injuries on both sides and all-around inconsistent play from the 49ers have taken away from the excitement of this game, but it will still be fascinating to watch these teams battle for the first time since last year’s NFC championship clash.
Author: Venuse, Inc.