The NFL’s Week 17 gave us a little bit of everything — high-stakes playoff battles, standout individual performances, and even a few games that were more about future draft positioning than anything else. Whether it was rookie quarterbacks putting on a show, established stars chasing records, or teams just playing for pride, Sunday proved why this league always delivers. 

Spread out across multiple days, the action started with Christmas Day games, where the Chiefs secured the AFC’s top seed and the Ravens kept their divisional hopes alive. On Thursday, the Seahawks scraped by the Bears to keep their slim playoff chances intact. Saturday brought some clarity to the AFC playoff picture as the Chargers dominated the Patriots, the Bengals edged the Broncos, and the Rams — thanks to some Sunday results — clinched their division.

Sunday, however, was the main event. The Commanders and Falcons delivered a rookie quarterback showdown for the ages, while the Vikings and Packers played out a divisional nail-biter. For some teams, like the Raiders and Saints, the season was already over, but they still provided a glimpse of what’s to come. Whether it was Saquon Barkley’s pursuit of history, Bryce Young’s progress, or the Bills flexing their playoff readiness, Week 17 had a little bit of everything.

Washington Commanders 30, Atlanta Falcons 24 (OT)

This was arguably the best game of the week and a shining example of the NFL’s bright future. Two rookie quarterbacks, Jayden Daniels of the Commanders and Michael Penix Jr. of the Falcons, went toe-to-toe in a thrilling battle that had fans on the edge of their seats. 

Daniels, the likely Rookie of the Year, delivered a remarkable performance, throwing for 227 yards and three touchdowns while adding 127 yards on the ground. His counterpart, Penix, put together a solid performance, passing for 223 yards and one touchdown. While he didn’t quite match Daniels’ level of impact, Penix showed flashes of promise that should give Atlanta fans plenty of reasons to be optimistic about their team’s future.

The game was a back-and-forth spectacle, with both offenses delivering highlight-reel moments. Penix came through in the clutch, connecting on a crucial touchdown pass with 1:23 left in regulation to tie the game at 24 and force overtime. Once there, Jayden Daniels got the ball and never looked back. He drove right down the field and launched a rocket of a pass to veteran tight end Zach Ertz for a game-winning touchdown. The 30-24 overtime victory not only showcased Daniels’ poise under pressure but also sealed the Commanders’ spot in the playoffs. 

Minnesota Vikings 27, Green Bay Packers 25

The Minnesota Vikings pulled out a nail-biter against the Green Bay Packers, securing a 27-25 victory that kept their NFC North title hopes alive. This was one of those games that reminded fans why divisional rivalries are so special—high stakes, big plays, and a little bit of drama to keep things interesting.

Sam Darnold, who's revitalized his career this season under head coach Kevin O'Connell, picked the perfect time to deliver one of his best performances. The veteran quarterback threw for 377 yards and three touchdowns while completing 77% of his passes. The Vikings had five different receivers finish the game with four or more receptions, really highlighting how well Darnold's spreading the ball around lately.

The Packers didn’t go quietly, though. Jordan Love didn't have his best game, but he did throw a fourth-quarter strike that brought Green Bay within two points. Unfortunately for him, he'd never touch the ball again as Minnesota forced Green Bay to use their timeouts and knelt out the rest of the clock.

Love ended the day with 185 yards and a touchdown, with none of his receivers cracking 60 yards. 

This victory keeps the Vikings in control of their destiny heading into Week 18 where they'll take on the Lions where the winner will come out with the NFC's No. 1 seed. The Packers have already clinched a playoff spot and will be on the road in the first round of the playoffs. 

Miami Dolphins 20, Cleveland Browns 3

The Miami Dolphins kept their playoff hopes alive with a convincing 20-3 win over the Cleveland Browns. It wasn’t the flashiest performance of the week, but Miami’s defense put on a clinic, limiting the Browns to a single field goal and dominating the line of scrimmage.

Tua Tagovailoa wasn't able to go because of a reaggravated hip injury, leaving Tyler "Snoop" Huntley to man the Dolphins' explosive offense. He finished the day with 225 passing yards and a touchdown, using his legs to extend plays and keep the chains moving. Tyreek Hill caught all of his nine targets for 105 yards, which led the game.

The Dolphins' defense was the real star of the show, holding Cleveland’s passing game to just 162 yards and forcing two turnovers. The Dolphins' defense has really turned it up over the last few weeks, and this game was another example of how far they’ve come. Miami completely controlled the line of scrimmage and made life miserable for the Browns, showing they’re peaking at just the right time as they hope for a chance to get into the playoffs.

Miami’s win kept their playoff hopes alive, but they need another win next week with Tagovailoa's availability still up in the air, as well as Denver to lose to the Chiefs, who will likely be resting their starters. For the Browns, it’s back to the drawing board as they prepare for an offseason full of questions.

Philadelphia Eagles 41, Dallas Cowboys 7

The Eagles made a statement in their 41-7 rout of the Cowboys, but the story of this game was about who didn’t play as much as who did. Jalen Hurts, sidelined with a concussion from last week, left the reins of the offense to the Eagles’ ground game, and Saquon Barkley delivered in a big way. 

Barkley rushed for 167 yards, putting him just 101 yards shy of the single-season rushing record. With the Eagles locked into the No. 2 seed, however, there’s speculation that Barkley could sit out next week to rest for the playoffs, potentially putting an end to his record chase.

Dallas’ defense simply had no answers, giving up big plays and struggling to contain the Eagles’ offense all game long. Philadelphia’s dominant performance wasn’t just a testament to their depth; it also highlighted how dangerous this team can be even when key players are unavailable. 

For the Cowboys, this loss was another chapter in a season filled with inconsistency and missed opportunities.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 48, Carolina Panthers 14

The Buccaneers couldn’t have asked for more from Baker Mayfield in this must-win game. He was electric, throwing for 359 yards and five touchdowns, tying his career high and making it clear that Tampa Bay is ready for the postseason. The Bucs’ offense was firing on all cylinders, taking full advantage of a Carolina defense that simply couldn’t keep up.

On the other side, Bryce Young didn’t look bad by any means. While the second-year starter didn’t have the fireworks Mayfield brought, he showed poise and is ending the season on a high note for the Panthers. Young’s progress over the final stretch of games has to be encouraging for a team that’s been out of playoff contention for weeks.

For Tampa Bay, this win puts them in a win-and-get-in scenario next week against the Saints; but they could also sneak in with a loss if the Falcons were to lose to the Panthers. 

Las Vegas Raiders 25, New Orleans Saints 10

This game may not have had any playoff implications, but it still carried plenty of significance for the Raiders. With their 25-10 win over the Saints, they likely cost themselves a top-five draft pick. Entering the game, Las Vegas had a real shot at landing in the top three, but now they’re projected to pick closer to 10th — a big swing that could jeopardize their chance at a franchise quarterback.

On the field, the Raiders looked sharp, with Aidan O'Connell throwing for 242 yards and two touchdowns. Their defense also stepped up, forcing two turnovers and keeping the Saints from ever getting into a rhythm. For New Orleans, it was another disappointing outing in a season full of them, as they struggled to move the ball and looked out of sync on both sides of the ball.

While the win may have been bittersweet for Raiders fans dreaming of a higher draft pick, it’s hard to ignore the positive momentum this close to the offseason. For the Saints, the focus now shifts to finding answers for a roster that underperformed all year.

Jacksonville Jaguars 20, Tennessee Titans 13

Another game without playoff implications, this one between the Jaguars and Titans, had the feel of a preseason matchup. With both teams eliminated, Mac Jones started under center for Jacksonville while Mason Rudolph took snaps for Tennessee. Neither quarterback cracked 200 yards in what turned out to be a slow and largely uneventful affair.

The defenses, which have struggled all season, weren’t exactly lights-out either, allowing chunks of yards but stiffening enough to keep the score low. For fans of these two teams, the highlight might have been the realization that the season is almost over for these two squads. For the rest, it’s hard to imagine many were glued to their screens for this one.

Ultimately, the Jaguars came away with the 20-13 win, but it’s a result that doesn’t move the needle much for either team heading into a long offseason.

Buffalo Bills 40, New York Jets 14

This game was a blowout in every sense of the word. The Jets had some opportunities in the first half, but mistakes quickly turned those chances into missed ones. By the second half, the Bills were in complete control, doing whatever they wanted on both sides of the ball.

Josh Allen and the Bills' offense put together a dominant showing, while their defense clamped down on the Jets, ensuring the game was never in doubt. With the outcome decided early, both teams turned to their backups for much of the fourth quarter.

The win locked up the No. 2 seed in the AFC for Buffalo and reaffirmed Josh Allen's MVP case. For the Jets, this game was another frustrating chapter in a season where they couldn’t seem to get out of their own way.

New York Giants 45, Indianapolis Colts 33

In a game where the Colts were fighting for their playoff lives and the Giants were fighting for the No. 1 overall pick, neither team seemed to know what they were really battling for. The Giants put together their best offensive performance of the season, with Drew Lock throwing for 309 yards and four touchdowns in a surprising outing.

Meanwhile, the Colts were forced to start Joe Flacco, as Anthony Richardson sat out due to what was first described as "soreness" but later clarified as "back spasms." Flacco had the kind of game he's become known for late in his career — big plays mixed with costly mistakes. Jonathan Taylor and Alec Pierce turned in strong performances, but their efforts were overshadowed by Malik Nabers, who was electric for the Giants. 

The Colts' defense, which had been a strength earlier in the year, completely collapsed, allowing chunk play after chunk play. Former Colt, Pat McAfee, took the opportunity to share how he feels about the state of the Colts franchise:

A blind person could see the red flags on this team.. Work ethic questions, NEVER happens on good teams.. Preparation commitment questions, NEVER happens on good teams.. Late to meetings, NEVER happens on good teams.. Late to/skipping treatment, NEVER happens on good teams.. The franchise QB tapped out of a game.. on 3rd down.. in the red zone.. because he was tired… NEVER HAPPENED in the history of the NFL...

As a multiple year season ticket holder (not renewing).. and someone who has actively, daily, attempted to be an additive to this beautiful city. I hope they become a good franchise again.. this city deserves it.. the OGs in the Colts building deserve it (equipment managers, trainers, ticketing, PR, sales).. and on the flip side the players/coaches in that building deserve whatever happens to them. Your unwarranted arrogance, laziness, and lack of professionalism has lead you to ANOTHER early vacation… which is probably what most of you entitled bums have been hoping for.

The result? A win that snapped the Giants’ 10-game losing streak and officially eliminated the Colts from playoff contention. For Indianapolis, this loss raises more questions than answers heading into the offseason.