NFL Week 17: Biggest questions, takeaways for every game

week 17 of 2025 nfl season The season kicked off with an NFC East showdown between the Cowboys and Commanders on Christmas Day. Dallas jumped all over Washington early, but had to stall after allowing too many big plays,

Later in the day, the Vikings crushed the Lions’ playoff hopes. Minnesota came out with a great performance and defeated Detroit at home.

Our NFL Nation reporters reacted to all the action, answered long-running questions coming from each game and broke down everything you need to know for each team. Let’s do that.

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DAL-WSH , DET-MIN

Keep track of the action: box score , Short

vikings

Was that enough to get protection? Harrison Smith To play another season? It’s been a long time since the 36-year-old has made so many high-impact plays in a game. But Smith had a sack, an interception, two batted passes and two tackles for loss, as the Vikings’ defense forced a total of six turnovers. Smith has not said that he plans to retire, but there are many in and around the franchise who doubt that he will. But if he can still play like this, perhaps he might be against delaying that decision for once.

Key stats to know: The Vikings finished with 3 net passing yards, the fewest by a winning team with a rookie quarterback in an NFL game since 2006. max brosmer Took six sacks and struggled to find open receivers. They were at minus-7 net passing yards by Broesmer’s final throw, a 10-yard pass to the receiver Justin Jefferson To convert the third and seal the game. –Kevin Seifert

Next game: vs. Packers (TBD)

lions

How worried was the quarterback? Jared GoffDisplay of? Very worrying. Goff couldn’t get much going as the offensive line struggled to protect him without starting LT taylor deckerWho was inactive due to an illness. The Vikings’ tough defense sacked Goff five times, while forcing him into five turnovers (two interceptions, three fumbles), tying a career high. Detroit’s eight turnovers during Week 16 were the fewest in the NFL, but they would finish with a season-high six total turnovers in Minnesota as Goff went 18 of 29 for 197 passing yards and a touchdown while facing consistent pressure. With the loss, the Lions were also out of the playoff race.

Key stats to know: This is the first time the Lions have lost more than four fumbles in a game this season. Goff lost his grip in the first quarter and then at RB Jahmir Gibbs Goff fumbled while rushing at 14:22 in the second quarter, and Goff fumbled twice in the fourth quarter. Prior to this game, Detroit last had at least two fumbles in any game in Week 12 of 2023 against the Packers. The Lions’ 38-game streak without losing multiple fumbles was the fourth-longest active streak in the NFL entering Thursday behind the Falcons (42), Chiefs (41) and Texans (40). –Eric Woodyard

Next game: On Bears (TBD)

Keep track of the action: box score , Short

Cowboy

Does finishing with a undefeated record matter? This is for Brian Schottenheimer, who has often mentioned this being the program’s first year. The Cowboys are 7-8-1 with their Week 18 finale New York Giants is approaching, and Schottenheimer has given no indication the Cowboys plan to sit the regular season dak prescott To avoid injury. The quarterback has said he wants to play and will fight to stay in the lineup. If the Cowboys lose to the Giants – whether they play with their core players or not – it will be the first time Dallas has had a losing record in consecutive seasons since three consecutive 5–11 finishes from 2000 to 2002.

Key stats to know: The Cowboys converted 4 of 9 third downs in the first half and all four opportunities on fourth down. They finished with six – the most fourth-down conversions in any game by the Cowboys in the last 45 seasons. The last team to convert on fourth down four times in the first half was 2006 New Orleans SaintsWho also had four against the Giants. The Cowboys had 17 first downs in the first half, while the Commanders had just 18. Dallas added two more fourth-down conversions in the fourth quarter. — Todd Archer

Next game: At Giants (TBD)

game

Ducks goes deep to Kavonte Turpin for 86-yard TD

Dak Prescott hits Kavonte Turpin for a touchdown to increase the Cowboys’ lead over the Commander.

commanders

Will Dan Quinn end the season on the hot seat? There has been no indication that Quinn’s job is in jeopardy, but even if he does not finish the season on the hot seat, his future job security will be a topic entering next season. Washington has lost 12 of its last 13 games – a year after winning 12 in the regular season. But a depleted lineup due to injuries has been the main culprit in Washington’s season, which has brought relief to Quinn and his staff. However, Quinn will have to make a decision at the defensive coordinator position. He took over playcalling duties from Joe Whitt Jr. in Week 11. Several players have said that Quinn is not lost in the locker room, and is starting his No. 3 QB – despite being short staffed against Dallas. josh johnson — Commanders made it a game thanks to the running back’s strong performance Jacory Croskey-Merritt (105 yards rushing) and defensive tackle jerzan newton (Three sacks).

Biggest hole in the game plan: Third- and fourth-down defense. Dallas converted 8 of 19 on third downs, which wasn’t terrible. There was a 14-yard gain on third-and-18 that set up fourth-and-short. This is where the Commanders faltered, as Dallas converted all of their fourth-down attempts, leading to 17 points. Dallas was able to play 87 games – 19 more than any other team against the Commander this season. –John Keim

Next game: In Eagles (TBD)