NFL Weekly Preview Week 17 2025: Key Injuries, Difference Makers & Projected Upsets

We begin the 17th week of the 2025 NFL regular season on Thursday. Here are the key injuries, fantasy stars and projected upsets.

Key Injuries

Notable players not playing this week include Las Vegas Raiders tight end Brock Bowers of Napa, California (knee), Washington Commanders quarterback Marcus Mariota of Honolulu, Hawaii (hand and leg), Commanders right guard Sam Cosmi of Humble, Texas (concussion), Cleveland Browns running back Quinshon Judkins of Pike Road, Alabama (dislocated right ankle and broken fibula), Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph of Orlando, Florida (knee),  Minnesota Vikings center of West Chester, Ohio (concussion), Kansas City Chiefs cornerback Trent McDuffie of Westminster, California (knee), Chiefs cornerback Jaylen Watson of Augusta, Georgia (groin), Chiefs wide receiver Rashee Rice of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (concussion), and Chiefs wide receiver Tyquan Thornton of Miami, Florida (concussion). As a result of Mariota’s injury, 39-year-old Josh Johnson of Oakland, California will get the start for the Commanders. It will be his first NFL start in four years.

Fantasy Stars

The top rated quarterback of the week is Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys. The native of Sulphur, Louisiana is projected to get 286 passing yards, 12 rushing yards and two touchdowns on Christmas Day against the Commanders. The top rated wide receiver of the week is Puka Nacua of the Los Angeles Rams. The native of Las Vegas, Nevada is projected to get nine catches for 124 receiving yards and a touchdown. The top rated running back is Christian McCaffrey of Castle Rock, Colorado. The San Francisco 49ers running back is projected to get 117 total yards and one touchdown against the Chicago Bears.

Projected Upsets

I like two underdogs in Week 17. I like the Las Vegas Raiders to beat the New York Giants because of Ashton Jeanty’s remarkable running last week against the Houston Texans, and I like the Bears to beat the 49ers as they had more time to prepare.