NFL Week 17 Performance Recap

Dallas Cowboys at Washington Commanders

Dallas jumped out early and cashed for bettors backing the road favorite, rolling to a 30–23 win after scoring touchdowns on its first three possessions and never fully letting Washington back into it. Dak Prescott threw for 307 yards and two scores, tying Tony Romo’s franchise mark with his fourth 30-TD season, while the Cowboys converted all six fourth-down attempts and dominated time of possession by more than 17 minutes. Washington made things interesting behind a pair of explosive Jacory Croskey-Merritt touchdown runs, briefly cutting the deficit to one score three times, but Dallas consistently answered with long, draining drives and Brandon Aubrey field goals from 52 and 51 yards to protect the margin. The Cowboys ran 87 offensive plays, absorbed six sacks without blinking, and iced the game by — fittingly — converting a fourth down in the final two minutes, rewarding over bettors and those who trusted Dallas’ offense to dictate tempo despite both teams being long eliminated from playoff contention.

Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings

Minnesota flipped the script on Christmas night, covering at home and knocking Detroit out of playoff contention with a 23–10 win powered almost entirely by a ruthless defensive performance. The Vikings forced six turnovers, sacked Jared Goff five times, and never let the Lions recover from repeated short fields, rewarding under bettors in a game that never found offensive rhythm. Harrison Smith turned back the clock with an interception, a sack, and multiple impact plays, while Jordan Addison provided the decisive moment with a 65-yard jet-sweep touchdown late in the fourth to finally put it away. Minnesota’s offense managed just 75 yards before that score, but backup quarterback Max Brosmer protected the ball and let Will Reichard cash in three field goals. Detroit’s six giveaways — including three lost fumbles — made this one impossible to survive, and the Vikings’ fourth straight win showed that even with nothing to gain in the standings, this defense remains capable of wrecking game scripts and cashing tickets on effort alone.

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

Denver survived a strange finish and cashed despite never snapping the ball on a critical fourth down, pulling out a 20–13 road win that kept the Broncos firmly in control of the AFC West. Sean Payton’s clock-savvy gamble paid off when Chris Jones jumped offsides inside the 10, flipping the situation and allowing Bo Nix to find R.J. Harvey for the go-ahead touchdown with under two minutes left. Nix accounted for both Denver touchdowns, throwing for 182 yards and adding a scrambling score, while the Broncos’ ball-control approach repeatedly drained clock against a short-handed Kansas City offense. The Chiefs, playing without Patrick Mahomes or Gardner Minshew, leaned on third-string quarterback Chris Oladokun and nearly stole it late, but failed on fourth down in the end zone as Denver’s defense closed the door. The game stayed under the total and punished anyone laying the big number with the Broncos, but rewarded those backing Denver on the moneyline in a spot where discipline, time of possession, and one defensive mistake ultimately decided the outcome.

Los Angeles Chargers at Houston Texans

Houston rewarded bettors who trusted defense and the under, grinding out a 20–16 win that clinched the Texans’ third straight playoff berth and extended their winning streak to eight. C.J. Stroud came out firing, hitting rookies Jayden Higgins (75 yards) and Jaylin Noel (43 yards) for touchdowns on Houston’s first two drives to build an early 14–0 cushion, but it was the defense that ultimately decided the game. The Texans piled up five sacks, led by Derek Barnett’s two and steady pressure throughout, holding Justin Herbert and the Chargers to one first-half field goal and keeping explosives in check all afternoon. Los Angeles made it interesting late, but Houston’s ability to swarm the quarterback and shorten the game preserved the cover and kept this one under the total, reinforcing a familiar formula: early offense, relentless defense, and another postseason ticket punched in January.

Baltimore Ravens at Green Bay Packers

Baltimore smashed expectations and the total on Saturday night, rolling to a 41–24 road win behind a historic Derrick Henry performance that kept the Ravens’ playoff hopes alive. With their season on the line, Baltimore fed Henry early and often, and he responded with 216 rushing yards — the most ever by a visiting player at Lambeau Field — and four touchdown runs, matching a career high and ripping apart a Packers defense that simply had no answers. The Ravens outrushed Green Bay 307–79, scored on their first five possessions, and built a 27–14 halftime lead that never truly felt threatened despite a brief third-quarter push. Green Bay didn’t punt all night and still lost for the second straight week, an almost impossible feat that underscored just how lopsided this game became once Baltimore dictated terms on the ground. Henry’s 36 carries cashed Ravens tickets with room to spare and pushed this one over the number, while Green Bay’s third straight loss confirmed that when a team can’t stop the run, nothing else matters — even at Lambeau.

Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Miami played spoiler and covered as road underdogs, knocking off a reeling Tampa Bay team 20–17 in a game that felt far more desperate on the Dolphins’ sideline than the Buccaneers’. Rookie quarterback Quinn Ewers was efficient in his second career start, throwing for 172 yards and two touchdowns — including a 63-yard strike for his first NFL score — while De’Von Achane chipped in 83 tough rushing yards to help Miami control tempo. Tampa Bay outgained Miami through the air behind Baker Mayfield’s 346 passing yards, but turnovers proved fatal, as Mayfield threw two interceptions and lost a fumble during a fourth-quarter collapse that erased any margin for error. The Buccaneers made a late push and had a chance to steal it after pulling within three in the final minute, but Miami recovered the onside kick to seal it. The Dolphins rewarded bettors backing the points and kept this one under the total, while Tampa Bay’s fourth straight loss reinforced a troubling trend: plenty of yardage, but too many mistakes to cash tickets or clinch anything of consequence.

New England Patriots at New York Jets

New England turned this into a rout early, covering with ease and locking up the AFC East in emphatic fashion with a 42–10 demolition of the Jets that was essentially over by halftime. Drake Maye was sensational, throwing a career-high five touchdown passes on New England’s first six drives while completing 19 of 21 throws for 256 yards before getting the rest of the afternoon off midway through the third quarter. The Patriots never punted, built a 35–0 lead before the Jets crossed midfield with any consistency, and finished a perfect 8–0 on the road, rewarding anyone willing to lay the big number. Rhamondre Stevenson scored twice, and Maye spread the ball to five different touchdown receivers, while the defense capitalized on short fields and early turnovers to keep this game well under control. The Jets offered little resistance beyond a late Breece Hall run, and the mismatch pushed this one comfortably over the total, capping a dominant division-clinching performance that made New England bettors sweat-free by the second quarter.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

Cleveland played spoiler and cashed as a home underdog, grinding out a 13–6 win that snapped its losing streak and forced the AFC North to come down to the final week. The Browns leaned on their defense in a low-scoring, field-position battle, holding Pittsburgh without a touchdown for the first time in the rivalry since 2009 while Myles Garrett consistently disrupted the pocket despite constant chips and doubles. Rookie quarterback Shedeur Sanders was efficient early, throwing the game’s only touchdown to Harold Fannin Jr. and helping Cleveland build a 10–0 lead it never relinquished, while Andre Szmyt’s late field goal gave Browns backers breathing room. Pittsburgh moved the ball in spurts but repeatedly came up empty on fourth down, including a goal-to-go stand in the final seconds that sealed the under and denied the Steelers a division-clinching win. The result kept Baltimore alive in the AFC North race, rewarded under bettors, and punished anyone laying points with a Pittsburgh offense that never found a finishing gear.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville stayed hot and covered on the road, grinding out a 23–17 win that pushed the Jaguars to the brink of an AFC South title while officially ending Indianapolis’ season. Trevor Lawrence didn’t light up the box score through the air, but his legs proved decisive, as he rushed for two touchdowns and repeatedly punished the Colts in the red zone before Cam Little broke a fourth-quarter tie with a 42-yard field goal and later added a 53-yarder for breathing room. Indianapolis jumped out early behind field position and a Jonathan Taylor score, but the Colts’ offense stalled again, with 44-year-old Philip Rivers throwing for just 147 yards and an interception that flipped momentum late. Jacksonville extended its winning streak to seven, controlled the second half, and cashed despite a tight number, while the Colts’ sixth straight loss confirmed a stunning collapse after an 8–2 start and rewarded under bettors in a game defined by field goals, quarterback mobility, and late-game execution.

New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans

New Orleans erased a 13-point halftime deficit and cashed as road favorites with a 34–26 comeback win that continued the Saints’ late-season surge behind rookie quarterback Tyler Shough. Shough was outstanding, completing 22 of 27 passes for a career-high 333 yards and two touchdowns, including the go-ahead 10-yard strike to Kevin Austin Jr. midway through the fourth, as New Orleans outscored Tennessee 24–6 after the break. The Saints’ defense flipped the game as well, with Chase Young recording 1.5 sacks and a strip-sack touchdown that swung momentum firmly to the visitors, while Audric Estime’s 32-yard scoring run iced it late and pushed the game over the total. Tennessee moved the ball early behind Cam Ward but repeatedly stalled in the red zone, settling for field goals and failing to finish drives when it mattered. The Saints dominated the second half in yardage and tempo, rewarding bettors who trusted New Orleans’ recent form and punishing Titans backers in yet another home loss defined by second-half collapse.

Carolina Panthers at Seattle Seahawks

Seattle handled its business and covered at home with a 27–10 win that kept the Seahawks firmly in control of their path to the NFC’s top seed, even if the final piece will have to wait until Week 18. After an ugly, scoreless slog early that suited under bettors, the Seahawks flipped the game in the third quarter by turning two Carolina turnovers into touchdowns, with Zach Charbonnet doing the damage on the ground by rushing for 110 yards and two scores. Sam Darnold was efficient despite an early end-zone interception, throwing for 147 yards and a touchdown while leaning on a defense that smothered Bryce Young, who managed just 54 passing yards as Carolina’s receivers were erased in man coverage. The Panthers briefly threatened in the fourth, but a costly penalty extended a Seattle drive that ended in points, and Charbonnet’s second touchdown sealed it late. Seattle dominated the ground game and cashed tickets by wearing Carolina down, setting up a massive winner-take-all showdown with San Francisco for the NFC West and potential home-field advantage throughout the playoffs.

Cincinnati Bengals at Arizona Cardinals

Cincinnati took control early and never looked back, cashing as road favorites in a 37–14 win that highlighted just how dangerous the Bengals still are when Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase are clicking. Burrow threw for 305 yards and two touchdowns, hitting Chase twice in the end zone as Cincinnati scored touchdowns on four of its first five meaningful drives and dominated time of possession. Chase added seven catches for 60 yards while making history with another benchmark season, and Chase Brown piled on with 101 rushing yards and two scores to help Cincinnati pull away after halftime. Arizona had a brief spark through Michael Wilson and a record-setting day from Trey McBride, but the Cardinals never seriously threatened, finishing with just 233 total yards and allowing Cincinnati to convert repeatedly on third down. The Bengals’ defense stayed firm, Burrow stayed clean enough, and Cincinnati cruised to an easy cover while Arizona continued to slide toward the bottom of the NFC.

Las Vegas Raiders at New York Giants

What started as a matchup nobody wanted quickly turned into a decisive result that mattered plenty in the betting markets and even more in the draft order, as the Giants rolled past the Raiders 34–10 and flipped the script late in the season. New York, which closed as a 3-point favorite after Las Vegas placed multiple starters on injured reserve, covered with ease behind rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who threw for 207 yards while adding 48 rushing yards and two touchdowns in a controlled, mistake-free performance. Wan’Dale Robinson hauled in 11 catches for 113 yards, and the Giants’ defense set the tone early with a red-zone interception that led directly to points. Las Vegas, missing Maxx Crosby and Brock Bowers, never found footing, as Geno Smith threw two interceptions before exiting with a high ankle sprain, extending the Raiders’ losing streak to 10 games. The Giants snapped a nine-game skid and stayed alive in the race for the No. 1 pick, while the Raiders walked away with what may ultimately be the most valuable loss of their season.

Buffalo Bills at Philadelphia Eagles

In a matchup that screamed January football and played out like it, the Eagles escaped with a gritty 13–12 win over the Bills after Josh Allen’s late 2-point conversion attempt sailed just wide, allowing Philadelphia to cash as a short home favorite and keep the total well under. The Eagles (11-5) built a 13-0 lead behind a Dallas Goedert touchdown catch and two Jake Elliott field goals, then leaned entirely on their defense after producing just 17 yards of offense in the second half. Buffalo (11-5) finally broke through late when Allen powered in two rushing touchdowns in the final 5:11, but Jalen Carter’s blocked extra point and Philadelphia’s pass rush — led by Jalyx Hunt’s two sacks — proved decisive. Allen finished 23 of 35 for 262 yards and two rushing scores, but was left owning the miss on the game’s final play, while Jalen Hurts went scoreless through the air after halftime and ended with 110 passing yards. The Eagles improved to 7-3 in one-score games and secured at least the NFC’s No. 3 seed, while the Bills dropped to the AFC’s seventh seed in a playoff-style slugfest where every yard — and every point — mattered.

Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers

San Francisco survived a Sunday night shootout and punched its ticket to a winner-take-all Week 18 showdown by outlasting Chicago 42–38, delivering both a prime-time thriller and an easy over for bettors who never sweated the total. Brock Purdy was sensational again, accounting for five touchdowns for the second straight week as the 49ers erased an early pick-six and controlled most of the night before finally getting the one defensive stop they needed. Purdy finished 24 of 33 for 303 yards and three passing scores, added two rushing touchdowns, and repeatedly answered every Bears punch, including a go-ahead 38-yard strike to Jauan Jennings with 2:15 left. Caleb Williams threw for 330 yards and two touchdowns and nearly added another late-game comeback to his résumé, but Bryce Huff’s pressure forced an incompletion on the final snap from the 2-yard line to seal San Francisco’s sixth straight win. Christian McCaffrey piled up 181 total yards, the offenses traded haymakers for four quarters, and the 49ers covered while setting up a massive Week 18 clash with Seattle for the NFC’s top seed and a first-round bye.

Monday Night Preview: Los Angeles Rams at Atlanta Falcons

The Rams head to Atlanta on Monday night laying more than a touchdown, and the matchup suggests why oddsmakers continue to price Los Angeles like a Super Bowl contender despite last week’s heartbreaking 38-37 overtime loss in Seattle. Matthew Stafford leads the league with 40 touchdown passes against just five interceptions, and the Rams rank first in total offense and scoring, averaging over 30 points per game across their last three outings. Puka Nacua is coming off a career-high 225-yard performance and draws a favorable matchup against an Atlanta secondary likely without Mike Hughes, leaving A.J. Terrell with limited help against the NFL’s most productive receiver. The Falcons are still playing with effort at 6-9 and have quietly been strong at the window all season, winning 8 of 15 against the spread, while Bijan Robinson remains the engine of the offense, leading the league in scrimmage yards per game and chasing a franchise record. Atlanta’s pass rush — second in the NFL with 50 sacks — is capable of keeping this game uncomfortable if it can get to Stafford early, but Los Angeles’ plus-12 turnover margin and explosive passing attack give the Rams a clear path to both a straight-up win and another cover as they push toward playoff positioning.