NFL Week 17 Recap: Playoff Implications and Draft Positioning

As the 2025 NFL regular season approaches its end—just one week to go—Week 17 highlighted crucial playoff implications and hinted at potential shifts in the 2026 NFL Draft order.

The most significant development from this past week is that both the AFC North and NFC South divisions will be determined by the outcomes of key games in Week 18. That’s something to keep an eye on.

In a surprising turn, the Pittsburgh Steelers faced a setback at home against the Cleveland Browns, largely due to Aaron Rodgers’ inability to connect with Marquez Valdes-Scantling on a controversial final play. This defeat set the stage for a decisive matchup between the Steelers and the Baltimore Ravens for the AFC North title, a scenario made possible by Derrick Henry’s impressive four-touchdown performance in a win against the Green Bay Packers.

Meanwhile, in the NFC South, even with losses for both the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Carolina Panthers, the playoff race remains tight, leading to a dramatic title game in Week 18.

Amidst all the playoff buzz, the later broadcasts featured a critical showdown between the New York Giants and the Las Vegas Raiders. The stakes were high—the winner would secure the number one overall pick in the upcoming NFL Draft. Ultimately, the Giants, led by Jackson Dart, bested Geno Smith and the Raiders, which shifted the coveted pick away from them.

Recap of NFL Scores from Week 16

Here’s how the games unfolded:

Thursday, December 25

• Dallas Cowboys 30, Washington Commanders 23
• Minnesota Vikings 23, Detroit Lions 10
• Denver Broncos 20, Kansas City Chiefs 13

Saturday, December 27

• Houston Texans 20, Los Angeles Chargers 16
• Baltimore Ravens 41, Green Bay Packers 24

Sunday, December 28

• Cincinnati Bengals 37, Arizona Cardinals 14
• Cleveland Browns 13, Pittsburgh Steelers 7
• New Orleans Saints 34, Tennessee Titans 26
• Jacksonville Jaguars 23, Indianapolis Colts 17
• Miami Dolphins 20, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 17
• New England Patriots 42, New York Jets 10
• Seattle Seahawks 27, Carolina Panthers 10
• New York Giants 34, Las Vegas Raiders 10
• Philadelphia Eagles 13, Buffalo Bills 12
• San Francisco 49ers vs. Chicago Bears (TBD)

Monday, December 29

• Los Angeles Rams vs. Atlanta Falcons (TBD)