At a Glance
- Ravens stay alive after Browns upset Steelers 13-6.
- Jaguars beat Colts 23-17 to keep division hopes alive.
- Patriots go 8-0 on the road, a franchise-record.
- Why it matters: Playoff races tighten and division titles hang in the balance.
The final week of the 2025 NFL season was a roller-coaster of drama and surprise, with several teams fighting for playoff spots and divisional crowns.
Ravens Stay Alive
The Baltimore Ravens avoided elimination when the Cleveland Browns stunned the Pittsburgh Steelers 13-6, a win that kept the AFC North battle alive. The Browns’ defense forced two sacks and held the Steelers to just 3 of 15 on third down.
- Browns shut out Steelers’ offense with 2 sacks.
- Aaron Rodgers finished with 168 yards.
- The game hinged on a last-second goal-line stand.
NFC South Drama
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell 20-17 to the Miami Dolphins, dropping to 7-9, while the Carolina Panthers lost 27-10 to the Seattle Seahawks and slipped to 8-8. Both teams still have a shot at the division, but a win next week is essential.
- Bucs are on a four-game losing streak.
- Panthers have never had consecutive wins or losses since Weeks 5-7.
- The division title will be decided in Florida.
Jaguars Hold Off Colts
The Jacksonville Jaguars edged the Indianapolis Colts 23-17, extending a seven-game win streak. Trevor Lawrence rushed for two scores, while Philip Rivers threw 147 yards and a touchdown.
- Jaguars 12-4 after the win.
- Colts now 8-8 after a 7-1 start.
- A victory over the Titans next week could clinch the Jaguars’ first division title since 2022.
Cardinals Drop Eighth Straight
The Arizona Cardinals suffered an eighth consecutive loss, falling 37-14 to the Cincinnati Bengals. Jacoby Brissett filled in for Kyler Murray but the defense could not stop the Bengals.
- Cardinals 3-13 after the loss.
- Bengals improve to 6-10.
- Top-five draft pick looming for Arizona.
Patriots Post Perfect Road Record
For the third time in franchise history, the New England Patriots finished the regular season with an 8-0 road record, crushing the New York Jets 42-10. Drake Maye threw five touchdowns in the first half and finished 19-of-21 for 256 yards.
- Patriots’ perfect road runs ended with Super Bowl trips in 2007 and 2016.
- Jets finish 2-7 at home.
- Undrafted rookie Brady Cook went 19-of-33.
Titans Fail to Close Games
The Tennessee Titans lost 34-26 to the New Orleans Saints, falling behind 20-10 at halftime and 26-20 in the fourth quarter. Rookie Tyler Shough led two touchdown drives, while Cam Ward had 251 yards and two touchdowns.
- Titans are 3-13.
- Ward has thrown eight touchdowns in four games.
- Signs of a brighter future appear.
Key Takeaways
- The Ravens survive Week 17 thanks to the Browns‘ upset.
- The Patriots achieve an 8-0 road record, a franchise milestone.
- The Jaguars keep their division title hopes alive with a win over the Colts.
The Week 17 results set the stage for a dramatic final week, where division titles and playoff spots hang in the balance.
