NFL Week 17: Biggest questions, takeaways for every game

Week 17 of the 2025 NFL season started on Christmas Day with an NFC East showdown between the Cowboys and Commanders. Dallas jumped throughout Washington early however needed to maintain on after permitting a number of massive performs.

Later within the day, the Vikings crushed the Lions’ playoff hopes. Minnesota got here out swinging and held on to beat Detroit at residence. The Broncos closed issues out with a decent win over the Chiefs, maintaining their hopes of incomes the AFC’s high seed alive.

Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all of the motion, answering lingering questions popping out of every recreation and detailing all the pieces you want to know for each staff. Let’s get to it.

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DAL-WSH | DET-MIN | DEN-KC

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Broncos

Is the Broncos’ grind-it-out offense playoff prepared? The Broncos took care of what they wanted to Thursday to remain within the driver’s seat for the AFC West title and the No. 1 seed within the playoffs. However there have been excellent news/dangerous information vibes from the Denver offense. The excellent news was that the Broncos had three scoring drives of eight or extra minutes. The dangerous? Solely a type of resulted in a landing. They might want to shut the cope with extra authority (and touchdowns) within the postseason as a result of once they do not, they go away themselves open to what occurred in opposition to the Chiefs — the place they’re in a down-to-the-wire scrap regardless of giving up solely 95 yards of whole offense previous to Kansas Metropolis’s remaining drive.

What to make of the QB efficiency: Bo Nix guided one other fourth-quarter, game-winning drive, ending with a 1-yard TD go to RJ Harvey with 1:45 to play, so he bought the big-picture job carried out as soon as once more. However the Broncos did not have a play of greater than 9 yards till Nix scrambled for 14 yards with 5:35 left within the second quarter and did not have a go play of greater than 9 yards till the two-minute warning within the first half. Nix, who completed 26-for-38 for 182 yards, additionally had some accuracy points crop up once more, serving to end in a deflected-ball interception within the first half. — Jeff Legwold

Subsequent recreation: vs. Chargers (TBD)

Chiefs

What did we find out about Chris Oladokun? Effectively, the Chiefs possessed the ball for fewer than 21 minutes Thursday evening, which wasn’t nice for Oladokun, Kansas Metropolis’s third-string quarterback. However when he had restricted alternatives, Oladokun confirmed he’s able to being a high quality recreation supervisor. In simply 16 makes an attempt previous to the ultimate drive, Oladokun by no means put the ball at risk. As an alternative, he had some good moments scrambling and improvising to create yards. Even in suboptimal circumstances late — lower than two minutes left and just one timeout — Oladokun was in a position to get the ball to the Broncos’ 21-yard line. However his remaining go of the sport, a deep go into the tip zone on fourth-and-8, was too excessive for receiver Hollywood Brown.

Most shocking efficiency: With out their high two cornerbacks, Trent McDuffie and Jaylen Watson, the Chiefs’ protection did greater than maintain its personal in opposition to Denver’s offense. Kristian Fulton and rookie Nohl Williams carried out properly in fill-in roles regardless of the Broncos making an attempt again and again to get receiver Courtland Sutton in one-on-one alternatives. Fulton completed with three go breakups, one in every of which led to an interception by linebacker Nick Bolton. Williams had eight tackles, together with three behind the road of scrimmage.

Greatest quote from the locker room: “That is the primary time I’ve ever seen somebody strive to attract the protection to them by fumbling it,” Chiefs tight finish Travis Kelce mentioned of Oladokun whereas laughing. “That was like somewhat yo-yo trick he placed on. I am pleased with him, man, all through the week, his consideration to element and his professionalism and his management. I could not be happier for the man. Clearly, I want we may’ve gotten that win for him [in] an enormous recreation in opposition to a rival. I am pleased with the way in which he led us and stored combating.” — Nate Taylor

Subsequent recreation: at Raiders (TBD)

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Vikings

Was this sufficient to get security Harrison Smith to play one other season? It has been some time for the reason that 36-year-old has made so many high-impact performs in a recreation. However Smith produced a sack, an interception, two batted passes and two tackles for loss because the Vikings’ protection compelled six turnovers. Smith hasn’t mentioned that he plans to retire, however there are numerous folks in and across the franchise who suspect he’ll. But when he can nonetheless play like this, maybe he may as soon as in opposition to delay that call.

Key stat to know: The Vikings completed with 3 internet passing yards, the fewest by a successful staff in an NFL recreation since 2006, as rookie quarterback Max Brosmer took six sacks and struggled to seek out open receivers. They had been at minus-7 internet passing yards till Brosmer’s remaining throw, a 10-yard go to receiver Justin Jefferson to transform a 3rd down and seal the sport. — Kevin Seifert

Subsequent recreation: vs. Packers (TBD)

Lions

How regarding was quarterback Jared Goff’s efficiency? Very regarding. Goff could not get a lot going because the offensive line struggled to guard him with out beginning LT Taylor Decker, who was dominated inactive with an sickness. The powerful Vikings protection sacked Goff 5 occasions and compelled 5 turnovers by him (two interceptions, three fumbles), which tied a profession excessive. The Lions’ eight turnovers by way of Week 16 had been the fewest within the NFL, however they ended with a season-high six turnovers in Minnesota as Goff went 18-for-29 for 197 passing yards and a landing whereas going through fixed strain. With the loss, the Lions had been eradicated from playoff competition.

Key stat to know: That is the primary time the Lions have misplaced a number of fumbles in a recreation this season with 4. Goff fumbled his snap within the first quarter, then RB Jahmyr Gibbs fumbled whereas speeding at 14:22 within the second quarter. Goff fumbled twice within the fourth quarter. Previous to this recreation, Detroit’s final time dropping no less than two fumbles in any recreation was in Week 12 of 2023 in opposition to the Packers. The Lions’ 38-game streak with out dropping a number of fumbles was the fourth-longest energetic streak within the NFL getting into Thursday behind the Falcons (42), Chiefs (41) and Texans (40). — Eric Woodyard

Subsequent recreation: at Bears (TBD)

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Cowboys

Does ending with a non-losing report matter? It does to Brian Schottenheimer, who has ceaselessly referred to this being the primary yr of this system. The Cowboys are 7-8-1 with their Week 18 finale in opposition to the New York Giants looming, and Schottenheimer has given no indication that the Cowboys plan to take a seat regulars corresponding to Dak Prescott to keep away from damage. The quarterback has mentioned he needs to play and can combat to stay within the lineup. If the Cowboys lose to the Giants — whether or not they play their important guys or not — it is going to be the primary time Dallas has had consecutive seasons with a dropping report since three straight 5-11 finishes from 2000 to 2002.

Key stat to know: The Cowboys transformed 4 of 9 third downs within the first half and all 4 possibilities on fourth down. They completed with six — essentially the most fourth-down conversions the Cowboys have had in any recreation over the previous 45 seasons. The final staff to have 4 first-half fourth-down conversions was the 2006 New Orleans Saints, who additionally had 4 in opposition to the Giants. The Cowboys had 17 first downs within the first half, whereas the Commanders ran simply 18 performs. Dallas added two extra fourth-down conversions within the fourth quarter. — Todd Archer

Subsequent recreation: at Giants (TBD)

play

Dak goes deep to KaVontae Turpin for an 86-yard TD

Dak Prescott hits KaVontae Turpin in stride for a landing to increase the Cowboys’ lead over the Commanders.

Commanders

Will Dan Quinn finish the season on the new seat? There was no indication that Quinn’s job is in jeopardy, however even when he does not finish the season on the new seat, his future job safety might be a subject getting into subsequent season. Washington has misplaced 12 of its previous 13 video games — one yr after successful 12 within the common season. However a lineup depleted due to accidents has been the principle offender to Washington’s season, giving Quinn and his workers a reprieve. Nevertheless, Quinn could have a call to make at defensive coordinator. He took over playcalling duties from Joe Whitt Jr. in Week 11. A number of gamers have mentioned Quinn hasn’t misplaced the locker room, and regardless of being undermanned in opposition to Dallas — beginning their No. 3 QB in Josh Johnson — the Commanders made it a recreation thanks partially to robust performances from working again Jacory Croskey-Merritt (105 yards speeding) and defensive deal with Jer’Zhan Newton (three sacks).

Greatest gap within the recreation plan: Third- and fourth-down protection. Dallas transformed 8 of 19 third downs, which wasn’t horrible. There was one 14-yard acquire on third-and-18 that arrange a fourth-and-short. That is the place the Commanders faltered, as Dallas transformed all of its fourth-down makes an attempt, resulting in 17 factors. Dallas was in a position to run 87 performs — 19 greater than another staff has had in opposition to the Commanders this season. — John Keim

Subsequent recreation: at Eagles (TBD)