Chaos. That’s the only way to describe what went down during the penultimate weekend of the 2025 season. You’ve probably looked at the nfl football week 17 scores by now and noticed a few "wait, what?" results, like the Browns knocking off the Steelers or the Eagles scraping by the Bills in a game that felt more like a street fight than a football match.
The dust has mostly settled, but honestly, some of these games changed the entire trajectory of the postseason.
We saw Drake Maye basically crown himself as the future of the AFC East, while Aaron Rodgers and the Steelers let a golden opportunity slip through their fingers in Cleveland. If you’re trying to make sense of the playoff seeds or just want to know why your parlay went up in flames, you’re in the right spot. Let's get into the weeds of what actually happened.
The Big Ones: Scores That Changed the Standings
The weekend started with some heavy hitters on Thursday and Saturday, but Sunday was where the real madness lived.
- New England Patriots 42, New York Jets 10: This wasn't even a game. Drake Maye threw five touchdowns. Five. He hit rookie Efton Chism III for a score and looked like he was playing against a high school JV team. With this win, the Patriots hit 13-3 and finally clinched the AFC East title, ending Buffalo's five-year reign.
- Philadelphia Eagles 13, Buffalo Bills 12: Speaking of Buffalo, they had a chance. Josh Allen got them to the goal line for a game-winning two-point conversion and... missed. He had Khalil Shakir wide open. I mean, wide, wide open. The Eagles escaped, and the Bills are now locked into a wild-card spot.
- Cleveland Browns 13, Pittsburgh Steelers 6: This was ugly. The Steelers needed this to lock up the AFC North. Instead, Aaron Rodgers couldn't find the end zone, and the Browns' defense made a massive goal-line stand at the two-minute warning. Now, Pittsburgh has to play a "win or go home" game against Baltimore in Week 18.
- San Francisco 49ers 42, Chicago Bears 38: Game of the year? Maybe. Brock Purdy and Caleb Williams traded blows like heavyweight boxers. Purdy threw a pick-six on the first play but finished with over 300 yards. The Bears almost pulled it off, but the Niners' defense held on the final play.
Why the Steelers-Browns Upset Matters
It's kinda wild when you think about it. The Steelers have this weird habit of losing to teams with losing records when the stakes are highest. They are now 0-4-1 in their last five games against teams entering with eight or more losses.
Cleveland had nothing to play for but pride.
Yet, rookie Shedeur Sanders did enough, and the Cleveland defense looked like the 1985 Bears for sixty minutes. This loss didn't just hurt Pittsburgh’s feelings; it kept the Baltimore Ravens alive for the division title. Now, that Week 18 matchup in Pittsburgh is essentially a playoff game.
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The NFC South: A Total Disaster Zone
I’m not even sure how to explain the NFC South without laughing a little bit.
The Carolina Panthers had a chance to seize the division. All they had to do was beat a Seattle Seahawks team that had already clinched a spot. They didn't. Seattle cruised to a 27-10 win.
Then you have the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who lost 20-17 to the Miami Dolphins. Baker Mayfield fumbled in the fourth quarter, and the Bucs looked like they were running in sand.
Basically, the division is a mess.
- Carolina Panthers (8-8)
- Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
- Atlanta Falcons (7-9)
The Panthers can still win the division even if they lose next week, provided the Falcons beat the Saints. It is the only division where you can feel like a loser and still host a playoff game.
The Battle for the No. 1 Overall Pick
While everyone was watching the playoff race, the New York Giants and Las Vegas Raiders were playing the "Tank Bowl."
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The Giants actually won (which is technically losing in this context) by a score of 34-10. Jaxson Dart ran for two touchdowns, and Deonte Banks had a 95-yard kickoff return that basically sealed the Raiders' fate.
Because the Raiders lost, they now have the inside track for the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft. Geno Smith struggled immensely for Vegas, throwing two picks and looking generally uncomfortable. If you're a Raiders fan, you're probably already looking at scouting reports for the top quarterbacks.
Statistical Leaders from Week 17
Sometimes the scoreboard doesn't tell the whole story.
Derrick Henry was an absolute monster for the Ravens. He carried the ball 36 times for 216 yards and four touchdowns against the Packers. At Lambeau Field. In the cold.
On the receiving end, Luther Burden III was the standout for the Bears in their loss to the Niners. He hauled in eight catches for 130 yards and a score, though he unfortunately had to be carted off on the final play.
What the Playoff Picture Looks Like Now
After all those nfl football week 17 scores, the seeds are starting to harden, but the top is still a fight.
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In the AFC, the Denver Broncos (13-3) are sitting at the No. 1 spot, but the Patriots are breathing down their necks. If Denver slips up against the Chargers in the finale, New England could steal home-field advantage.
The NFC is even tighter. The Seahawks and 49ers are both at the top of the West. Their Week 18 meeting isn't just a rivalry game; it’s for the No. 1 seed and a first-round bye.
Actionable Insights for Week 18
If you're following the league heading into the final week, keep these things in mind:
- Watch the Injury Reports: Players like Luther Burden III and several Patriots offensive linemen are banged up. Their status will change the betting lines significantly.
- The "Motivation" Factor: Teams like the Jets, Raiders, and Browns have nothing to play for but spoilers. Sometimes these teams play looser and more dangerously because the pressure is off.
- The NFC South Tiebreakers: If there's a three-way tie at 8-9, the Panthers take the division based on their 3-1 record against the Falcons and Bucs.
The 2025 season has been nothing if not unpredictable. We saw established legends like Aaron Rodgers struggle while new faces like Drake Maye and Jaxson Dart started taking over the narrative. Whether you're a die-hard fan or just tracking the scores for your office pool, Week 17 proved that in the NFL, nobody is safe until the clock hits zero.
Check the final injury designations before Saturday's kickoff. Monitor the weather in Pittsburgh, as that AFC North battle will likely be played in brutal conditions. If you're looking at the draft, keep an eye on the Raiders' quarterback situation—it's going to be the biggest story of the off-season.