The Silcoff Selections: NFL Week 17 Predictions – Straight Up & Against the Spread Picks

The Silcoff Selections are here for Week 17 of the 2025 NFL Season! Below are my records for my straight up and against the spread picks for the season thus far.

Records Last Week:

Straight Up: 12-4

Against The Spread: 9-6-1

Season Records:

Straight Up: 150-89-1

Against The Spread: 115-120-5

Christmas Games:

Dallas Cowboys (6-8-1) @ Washington Commanders (4-11) I Line: Cowboys -7

 It’s either Jeff Driskel or Josh Johnson at quarterback for Washington, and this just feels like a team that wants to be done with the season.

The Cowboys, on the other hand, should show some fight. The Commanders’ defense is maybe the worst in the NFL, and when the Cowboys’ offense is going, it’s elite. I think Dallas absolutely routs Washington on Christmas.

Score Prediction: Cowboys 30, Commanders 13

ATS Pick: Cowboys -7

Detroit Lions (8-7) @ Minnesota Vikings (7-8) I Line: Lions -7

The Lions need to win this game to even have a shot at the playoffs. The Vikings are going back to Max Brosmer, with J.J. McCarthy dealing with a hand injury.

I think the Lions roll on the road and keep their playoff hopes alive for at least another day.

Score Prediction: Lions 31, Vikings 17

ATS Pick: Lions -7

Denver Broncos (12-3) @ Kansas City Chiefs (6-9) I Line: Broncos -13.5

The Chiefs need to shell themselves here. Patrick Mahomes is done for the year, as we saw last week, and Kansas City simply cannot move the ball without him. Gardner Minshew, their backup quarterback, is also injured.

I think Denver goes into Kansas City and wins fairly comfortably, but I do think the Chiefs show a little fight. This is probably Travis Kelce’s final home game, and I think he’ll want to give the fans something to remember him by.

Score Prediction: Broncos 27, Chiefs 16

ATS Pick: Chiefs +13.5

Saturday & Sunday Games:

Houston Texans (10-5) @ Los Angeles Chargers (11-4) I Line: Chargers -2

This is a playoff rematch from last year, when the Chargers got absolutely destroyed by the Texans. Houston forced Justin Herbert into four interceptions. I don’t think it’s going to be that bad again, but I do think the Texans’ defensive line will be too much for the Chargers’ offensive line to handle.

The Chargers have found ways to win this year, and if they win this game, they’ll be playing next week for the AFC West title, which would be a shocker. That said, I think the Houston defense is the best unit on the field and I think they win this game.

Score Prediction: Texans 20, Chargers 17

ATS Pick: Texans +2

Baltimore Ravens (7-8) @ Green Bay Packers (9-5-1) I Line: Packers -3

We don’t know if Lamar Jackson or Jordan Love is playing, and we don’t even know if Malik Willis is going to play for the Packers. I’m going to assume Jordan Love plays for Green Bay, and I’m going to assume Lamar Jackson doesn’t play, since he’s not someone who tends to play through injuries.

That loss last week felt demoralizing for Baltimore. The Packers are the more desperate team here, as they can’t afford a win-or-go-home situation next week. I think Green Bay makes up for last week’s collapse and wins at home.

Score Prediction: Packers 23, Ravens 16

ATS Pick: Packers -3

Arizona Cardinals (3-12) @ Cincinnati Bengals (5-10) I Line: Bengals -7

This one should be an absolute shootout and a surprisingly entertaining game between two non-playoff teams. I’ll go with the team that still believes in its coach, and that’s the Bengals.

Joe Burrow should have a big day against this Cardinals defense. Trey McBride could have a strong game for Arizona, but Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, and that offense is just the better unit overall. Give me Cincinnati at home.

Score Prediction: Bengals 31, Cardinals 23

ATS Pick: Bengals -7

Jacksonville Jaguars (11-4) @ Indianapolis Colts (8-7) I Line: Jaguars -6.5

The Jaguars are coming off a huge win in Denver and are still technically alive for the one seed. The Colts haven’t been officially eliminated, and Philip Rivers played well against the 49ers on Monday night, but that defense is just terrible.

The Jaguars’ offense is rolling right now. I think Jacksonville wins at home.

Score Prediction: Jaguars 28, Colts 20

ATS Pick: Jaguars -6.5

New England Patriots (12-3) @ New York Jets (3-12) I Line: Patriots -13.5

New England is rolling, while the Jets are just absolutely awful. They haven’t recorded a single interception all year.

There’s a scenario where Drake Maye could be the MVP favorite after this game. I think he puts up big numbers. This one is all about staying healthy, getting the win, clinching the division, and possibly securing the one seed.

Score Prediction: Patriots 33, Jets 10

ATS Pick: Patriots -13.5

New Orleans Saints (5-10) @ Tennessee Titans (3-12) I Line: Saints -2.5

These are two teams that were expected to be near the bottom of the league, and while they are, they’ve both been playing good football recently. The Titans are coming off a win against the Chiefs, and the Saints are riding a three-game win streak.

I really like what I’m seeing from Tyler Shough right now. Cam Ward has looked good as well, but New Orleans is simply the more talented team. I think the Saints win on the road and make it four straight.

Score Prediction: Saints 23, Titans 14

ATS Pick: Saints -2.5

Pittsburgh Steelers (9-6) @ Cleveland Browns (3-12) I Line: Steelers -3

This game always tends to be weird, especially in Cleveland. If the Steelers win this game, they could win the AFC North, and in my scenario, they already have it wrapped up by this point.

Without DK Metcalf, the Steelers’ offense could struggle against this Browns defense. I think Cleveland keeps this game fairly close, especially if Pittsburgh already has the division locked up. Still, I’ll take the Steelers on the road to build momentum heading into the playoffs.

Score Prediction: Steelers 20, Browns 19

ATS Pick: Browns +3

Seattle Seahawks (12-3) @ Carolina Panthers (8-7) I Line: Seahawks -7

This could be a potential playoff preview. The Panthers are coming off a huge win against the Bucs, and if they win this game, they could potentially win the division this week.

The Seahawks are coming off a miracle comeback against the Rams and control their destiny for the one seed. I think this is a hard-fought game, but Seattle goes on the road and wins, setting up a possible Week 18 matchup with the 49ers for the one seed.

Score Prediction: Seahawks 27, Panthers 21

ATS Pick: Panthers +7

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-8) @ Miami Dolphins (6-9) I Line: Buccaneers -5.5

If the Bucs win this game, they set up a Week 18 matchup for the NFC South title with the Panthers. This feels like a sneaky spot for Miami, but they looked like they quit last week against the Bengals.

It sounds like Mike McDaniel is coming back next year, but Tampa Bay is the more desperate team here. They’re playing for something, while Miami feels checked out. I’ll take the Bucs to win the Battle of Florida and keep their playoff hopes alive.

Score Prediction: Buccaneers 24, Dolphins 16

ATS Pick: Buccaneers -5.5

New York Giants (2-13) @ Las Vegas Raiders (2-13) I Line: Raiders -1.5

This is the Tank Bowl, and the winner likely loses control of the first overall pick. The Raiders showed some fight last week against the Texans, keeping it fairly close.

I think they get the win at home. Pete Carroll will want this one. The Raiders snap their losing streak, earn their third win of the year, and the Giants move into sole possession of the first overall pick.

Score Prediction: Raiders 23, Giants 20

ATS Pick: Raiders -1.5

Philadelphia Eagles (10-5) @ Buffalo Bills (11-4) I Line: Bills -1.5

This could be a potential Super Bowl preview. The Eagles are starting to look like themselves again after a couple strong wins, but the Bills need this game to keep their AFC East hopes alive.

I think they get it done. This could be the final meaningful game at Highmark Stadium for Josh Allen, and I think he puts on a show. Buffalo wins at home and carries momentum into the postseason.

Score Prediction: Bills 27, Eagles 24

ATS Pick: Bills -1.5

Sunday Night Football: Chicago Bears (11-4) @ San Fransisco 49ers (11-4) I Line: 49ers -3

The Bears are coming off a miracle win against the Packers that clinched a playoff spot. The 49ers’ offense looked unstoppable on Monday night, but I came away questioning their defense after it gave up big plays to Philip Rivers.

The 49ers are on a short week, while the Bears played Saturday and have an extra day of rest. The Bears have found ways to win all year, and I think they do it again. I’ll take Chicago on the road.

Score Prediction: Bears 28, 49ers 27

ATS Pick: Bears +3

Monday Night Football: Los Angeles Rams (11-4) @ Atlanta Falcons (6-9) I Line: Rams -8

I don’t think this one is close. The Rams need to win after last week’s collapse. The Falcons have been playing decently well, but the Rams are simply the better and more desperate team.

I think Los Angeles wins on the road and keeps their hopes for the one seed alive.

Score Prediction: Rams 31, Falcons 17

ATS Pick: Rams -8

Straight Up/Moneyline Picks:

• Cowboys

• Lions

• Broncos

• Texans

• Packers

• Bengals

• Jaguars

• Patriots

• Saints

• Steelers

• Seahawks

• Buccaneers

• Raiders

• Bills

• Bears

• Rams

Picks ATS:

• Cowboys -7

• Lions -7

• Chiefs +13.5

• Texans +2

• Packers -3

• Bengals -7

• Jaguars -6.5

• Patriots -13.5

• Saints -2.5

• Browns +3

• Panthers +7

• Buccaneers -5.5

• Raiders -1.5

• Bills -1.5

• Bears +3

• Rams -8