NFL Week 17 picks include Jaguars, Steelers, Niners
Lorenzo Reyes presents his three picks for NFL games leading up to Christmas week.
Maybe the NFL’s Christmas tripleheader just didn’t work out the way the league’s schedule creators had hoped. And in some ways, it probably won’t go as expected, given the fuss that was made just last month on Thanksgiving. But that doesn’t mean Thursday didn’t provide some moments, memories, and generally Christmas-filled entertainment.
Unsurprisingly, the Dallas Cowboys defeated the Washington Commanders 30-23 in the first game of the day…even if it didn’t really matter in the grand scheme of things. Amazingly, the Minnesota Vikings took the Detroit Lions to the hut in Game 2 and won 23-10, effectively ending their NFC North rival’s season. (The Broncos and Chiefs met in the nightcap.)
What about the big picture on the other side of the scoreboard? So without further ado, let’s unravel the NFL’s Christmas winners and losers.
winner
green bay packers
No, they didn’t have to play on Christmas. I made it home comfortably with my family while waiting for Saturday night’s showdown with the Baltimore Ravens. However, Puck got a wonderful gift under the gathering tree. It’s an upset of the Vikings for the Lions to at least lock Green Bay into the playoff field as a wild card entry. And with fewer jeopardy this weekend, the Packers will be able to make a more rational decision to rest injured quarterback Jordan Love and running back Josh Jacobs.
duck prescott
Dallas’ QB1 passed for 307 yards and two touchdowns in this game, but it meant nothing to the team other than playing for pride. What about him? He has a 30-TD passing season for the fourth time in his career and still has a chance to become the first Cowboy to lead the NFL in passing yards.
snoop dogg
I prefer dad rock to hip-hop, but The Dogfather’s halftime show set up by Martha Stewart at Minneapolis’ U.S. Bank Stadium didn’t lack for creativity or production value. And even a middle-aged guy like me could appreciate a mix of Snoop classics interspersed with Christmas carols performed by KPop Demon Hunters (HUNTR/X), Andre Bocelli, and Laney Wilson. And believe me or not, USA TODAY’s national music writer Melissa Ruggieri (read her article) admitted that the NFL guy is spot on. Honestly, it’s comparable in quality to the Super Bowl halftime show, especially if you’re a Vikings fan who paid money to watch this level of football.
vikings defense
Not only did they turn Detroit over six times, they shut down the Lions’ offense, allowing just 10 points and 231 yards while collecting five sacks. Averaging 3.6 yards per play, Detroit never looked easy against the swarming Scandinavians…and it cost the Lions dearly.
cowboys uniform
In fact, it’s a first for Dallas. “America’s Team” combines white pants with a new white helmet (which was introduced in 2022 and is basically an alternate white-based version rather than a throwback to the usual silver helmet) and a highly underrated navy jersey. They looked sharp and played accordingly.
Speaking of uniforms…
On Thursday, the Vikings played at home wearing all-white “Winter Warrior” replacements, while the Lions, their NFC North rivals, wore rarely worn all-black uniforms. It’s no secret who was cast in the heel role — and on a night when WWE star Seth Rollins appeared on the pre-match show — even though Vikes was acting as a spoiler while the Lions desperately cling on to the playoffs. (But in Minnesota, which boasts some of the best venues and conditions in the league, the winter theme looked pretty cool.)
Ian Eagle and staff
Netflix has hired a top-notch broadcast team to stream the Cowboys vs. Commanders game. Eagle’s sense of humor, in-game acumen, and willingness to incorporate pop culture references and Netflix promotions made him the perfect choice for play-by-play duties. Mix in the sharp, sartorially savvy Nate Burleson with straight-ish former league MVP Matt Ryan, and there was no shortage of analysis.
Thank you, Austin.
Despite missing the season with a torn Achilles tendon, the coach’s running back was ready for the Washington-Dallas game. It’s a great opportunity for one of the brightest men in the game. And given that the 30-year-old Ekeler doesn’t have a contract for 2026 and will need to take another step toward at least a pending transition to life after football, it could be a sign of a transition… whenever it comes.
Jacory Croskey Merritt
Washington’s top rusher had an uneven rookie season, tasked with filling the void left by Ekeler and the departed Brian Robinson Jr. But “Bill” Crosskey Merritt had one of his best games of the year, eclipsing the century mark for the second time and recording his second two-TD game. In his second game, he recorded 72 yards, setting a new professional record. He continues to look like a player ready for an even bigger role in 2026.
Netflix
For the second year in a row, the streaming giant delivered an NFL football gift this Christmas with the Cowboys vs. Commanders and Lions vs. Vikings games, delivered to viewers around the world in partnership with CBS and NFL Network production. It’s certainly a win for Netflix, but it’s also an important win for the NFL as it continues to expand its international reach.
loser
Netflix
You’d think they’d have lost a significant amount of streams considering the Dallas-Washington game had no playoff implications, but the Commanders lost 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year Jaden Daniels to QB Josh Johnson, whose season is already over. (And yet…the Cowboys, with help from the then-Chiefs, set a regular-season ratings record on Thanksgiving.) In the second window, Minnesota also tried to stay on life support, having to start a backup passer (rookie Max Brosmer) in a game with little stakes other than the Lions, the No. 1 seed in the 2024 playoffs.
Jared Goff
5 turnovers (2 INTs, 3 fumbles). This must have been Lion’s most disappointing day, considering he needed a win to keep his hopes of making the playoffs for the third year in a row alive. Good luck next year, dude.
donovan wilson
Is the head still attached to the Cowboys’ safety? Anti-Jason Witten lowlights.
Javonte Williams and Jake Ferguson
The Cowboys’ starting running back and tight end each had their playing days cut short due to injury, with Williams sidelined with a shoulder injury and Ferguson sidelined with a calf ailment. Williams got some payback for Wilson, but he was also the subject of quite a few conspiracy theories online. But at least both players scored touchdowns for fantasy owners before heading to the sideline.
Dan Campbell
His team fell behind in the biggest game of the year, marking the first time in 10 years that the Lions committed six turnovers in a game. All they had to do was beat the limited Minnesota offense and the overpowered Brosmer. Will a team that went 15-2 and on its way to the No. 1 seed in the NFC in 2024 factor in the offseason narrative that it would suffer if coordinators Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn don’t go? Yes, obviously it was.
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