# NFL Week 17 **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Tags:** football-nfl\ **Created:** [December 23, 2025, 2:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981 "2025-12-23T14:20:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 4:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/81 "2025-12-29T04:39:43Z")
I don’t know if it was the best played game, but it was one of the most fun to watch. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/82 "2025-12-29T04:40:15Z")
I thought it might be a competitive game, but damn… That was one heck of a fun game to watch ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/83 "2025-12-29T04:43:08Z")
Turns out that Sunday Night Football is going to be Steelers/Ravens, because the bigger and far more important game for both teams and the NFL is on the west coast, and nobody cares about the west coast. East coast bias is so blatant. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 4:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/84 "2025-12-29T04:44:06Z")
> [@SwissMan](#): > > This will definitely be the Sunday night game next week You called it. Ravens/Steelers on Sunday night next week. Last regular season game, winner wins the division, loser goes home. Panthers/Bucs early Saturday, Niners/Seahawks late Saturday. ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/85 "2025-12-29T04:45:14Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Turns out that Sunday Night Football is going to be Steelers/Ravens I understand the reasoning of the TV masters but c’mon. The #4 AFC seed vs division and #1 seed decider for the NFC? At least it’s in the Saturday prime time slot ---
**Author:** ![asterion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/4da419/32.png) [@asterion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/asterion)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/86 "2025-12-29T08:52:19Z")
Ravens/Steelers is an elimination game. That will always be higher than something that just decides seeding, even the top seed. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 10:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/87 "2025-12-29T10:07:57Z")
> [@asterion](#): > > That will always be higher than something that just decides seeding, even the top seed. That makes no sense. There are lots of elimination games that don’t get higher priority. There are 18 teams that miss the postseason every year, and many get eliminated in games that don’t get much extra attention outside of that team’s fanbase. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 10:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/88 "2025-12-29T10:17:20Z")
Games where either team is up for elimination are more dramatic than games where only one side is up for elimination ---
**Author:** ![Jegpeg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f475e1/32.png) [@Jegpeg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jegpeg)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 10:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/89 "2025-12-29T10:22:27Z")
The difference is most of the team the eleiminated has virtually no chance of making the playoffs before the game. The Steelers and Ravens both have close to a 50% chance of making the play-offs. I am actually surprised the Buccs, Panthers is not the Saturday night game. As a Seahawks fan nice to see the fight for No 1 seed have some some recognition but a 1am start in the UK means I will probably sleep through it and watch it on DAZN as soon as I wake up (bonus is I avoid the ads). ---
**Author:** ![Great\_Antibob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e47c2d/32.png) [@Great\_Antibob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Great_Antibob)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 12:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/90 "2025-12-29T12:55:11Z")
West Coast games are often scheduled later because of the time zones. Yes, the league and the networks prefer “Win and you’re in, lose and you’re out” games in the final week of the season. Though, there’s usually a better selection than the two we have this year. It’s not been too common where the playoff field is almost entirely set except for seeding quite so early. ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/91 "2025-12-29T13:28:03Z")
Huntley may be the better option for the Ravens than a Lamar still slowed by injuries. Expect to see a lot more of Derrick Henry, who ran for 138 yards against the Steelers last year. Huntley will need to be efficient and careful with the ball; the Ravens will lose if they turn it over in bad positions. ---
**Author:** ![Clawdio](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d07c76/32.png) [@Clawdio](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clawdio)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 1:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/92 "2025-12-29T13:32:28Z")
Myles Garrett: “The Steelers were more focused on me than getting the win” Well, I guess he would be the expert on game planning for Myles Garrett sacks instead of wins… ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 1:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/93 "2025-12-29T13:47:47Z")
Miles pulled off some Terry Tate [mind games](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuoUujZBAjw) on Aaron Rodgers ---
**Author:** ![Red\_Wiggler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/red_wiggler/32/13190_2.png) [@Red\_Wiggler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Red_Wiggler)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/94 "2025-12-29T14:14:31Z")
Correction: Henry ran for 186 yards in the wild card game vs Pittsburgh last year. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/95 "2025-12-29T14:27:15Z")
Wow, that’s a blast from the past. “The pain train is coming! Woo-woo!” I only watched the last 20 minutes or so of the Steelers/Browns, and it seemed every time Rodgers threw the ball away Romo commented that it was because he didn’t want to be the recipient of the record breaking sack. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/96 "2025-12-29T14:41:33Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > the Bills go for it on a 2 point conversion to win and Allen misses an open receiver. Just a bad throw. I wasn’t watching the game, but I saw the highlights this morning. You are correct: that was a wide-open receiver in the end zone, and Allen had time to throw the ball. He usually doesn’t miss a pass like this one, especially in a late-game situation. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/97 "2025-12-29T14:53:26Z")
Yeah, the Birds got really lucky. The 2 point attempt was kind of foolish anyway, the Eagles offense was completely stymied the entire second half, and their defense was getting tired. The Bills had a much better shot at winning in OT, IMHO. I really wish the Eagles could put together a competent offense for a full 60 minutes, as it is I don’t see their defense getting them past the Divisional round. If seedings stay as they are and they wind up hosting the Rams in the WC round, the entire city will be praying for snow. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 3:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/98 "2025-12-29T15:04:44Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > If seedings stay as they are and they wind up hosting the Rams in the WC round The Eagles will be either the 2 seed or the 3 seed. Eagles will be the 2 seed only if the Bears lose to the Lions next Sunday, and the Eagles beat the Commanders. If the Rams win tonight (vs Falcons) and then beat the Cards next week, LA will be the 5 seed. If that happens, Eagles (as a 2 seed) will host the Packers (who are locked into the 7 seed), or (as a 3 seed) the loser of the Seahawks/Niners game. LA could be the 6 seed, but they would need to lose one or both of their last two games, and the Niners beat the Seahawks. Best hope for the Eagles is for the Bears to lose to the Lions and the Eagles beat the Commanders, which would give Philadelphia the 2 seed, where they host the Pack. Otherwise, they’re going to host one of the NFC West teams. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 3:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/99 "2025-12-29T15:15:27Z")
I was jokingly referring to last years Eagles/Rams playoff game where the Rams comeback hopes were completely dashed by their inability to hold onto the ball in a little bit of snow. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [December 29, 2025, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981/100 "2025-12-29T16:15:41Z")
> [@muldoonthief](#): > > I was jokingly referring to last years Eagles/Rams playoff game I figured you were referring to that game, but somehow I missed the ‘jokingly’ part of it. > [@muldoonthief](#): > > their inability to hold onto the ball in a little bit of snow It wasn’t snowing when the game started, but the entire fourth quarter was played in blizzard-like conditions. Much more than a little bit of snow. You can watch the highlights on YouTube [here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oUOzvDUPDbk). Fast forward to about the seven minute mark to the start of the last quarter. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/nfl-week-17/1025981.md?page=6)