Week 17 Predictions for the 2025-2026 NFL Season: Jets Without Picks

As we head into the final two weeks of the season, I heard an unbelievable stat the other day. The New York Jets with a loss in week 16 became the first team in the history of the NFL to go 15 straight games without their defense intercepting a pass. You heard right, no Jets defender has intercepted an opponent’s pass this season.

If New York finishes these final two games without picking off a pass, they will also set a record as no NFL team in history has ever gone an entire season without an interception. As if it is not bad enough for the Jets not just this year but for many years have terrible teams, this is definitely salt in the wounds of Green and White fans everywhere.

All the playoff spots for the 2025 season have not yet been decided but there are teams that have clinched a spot and the Jacksonville Jaguars are one of them. Liam Cohn, the new head coach in Jacksonville, should be a front runner for Coach of the Year. He has turned the Jags around and they have been one of if not the biggest surprises of the season.

Heading into this season it was expected that the Kansas City Chiefs who were defending AFC champions would at least make the playoffs. That won’t be happening. The Baltimore Ravens were an expected threat to reach the Super Bowl and with a loss to Green Bay in this week’s action would probably knock them out of an opportunity to reach the post season again.

With some very key games on the late for week 17 now is the time for teams that will be going home after next week’s action to start discovering the talents on their respective teams and who should return for the 2026 season. Picks are ahead but not before the fast reaction to the week 16 results.

Week 16 Knee Jerks

Seattle 38 Los Angeles Rams 37 OT (Harv’s score Rams 31-27): A thriller out west that gives Seattle first place in the NFC west. Once again Sam Darnold proves 2024 was no fluke. Will he not flop in the playoffs this time?

Philadelphia 29 Washington 18 (Harv’s score Eagles 28-17): Even with a win critics still find issues with the world champion Eagles. They will however get the opportunity to defend their NFC title whereas Kansas City will not. A lost season for the Commanders.

Chicago 22 Green Bay 16 OT (Harv’s score Bears 23-18): Ben Johnson was the hottest coach available last year and the Bears were the fortunate ones that hired him. He has the Bears relevant again. Green Bay might be the NFC’s biggest disappointment of the season.

Los Angeles Chargers 34 Dallas 17 (Harv’s score Cowboys 34-24): Dallas had a moment where they looked like they would make a move towards the playoffs, but that optimism was short lived. The Chargers look like they are making their perennial visit to the post season which is where they typically choke.

Tennessee 26 Kansas City 9 (Harv’s score Chiefs 30-12): Did the Chiefs just quit when Patrick Mahomes was lost for the season? It sure seems that way as there is no way they should have lost to the Titans.

New Orleans 29 New York Jets 6 (Harv’s score Saints 25-15): While some fans complain about the inadequacies of their teams or not being playoff contenders, we Steelers fans whine about not winning a playoff game in 10 years and then you have the Jets. They might be one of if not the sorriest team in the league. For the Saints they have a promising rookie quarterback for the future.

Minnesota 16 New York Giants 13 (Harv’s score Vikings 41-13): A tough season in New York where their two teams have a combined record of 5-25. OUCH. The Vikings see J.J. McCarthy suffer yet another injury. That doesn’t bode well for his future.

Carolina 23 Tampa Bay 20 (Harv’s score Panthers 35-31): Like the Bears, the Panthers are for real and as it is with Chicago, Carolina is now in first place in their division. The Bucs continue to slide with their third straight loss.

Buffalo 23 Cleveland 20 (Harv’s score Bills 45-10): The result of this game makes the Bills suspect in my opinion. If only the Browns’ offense could perform as well as their defense they might have won a few more games this season.

Cincinnati 45 Miami 21 (Harv’s score Dolphins 27-20): Rookie Quinn Ewers starts his first game as a pro, and it is a loss. But his numbers were not too bad with 260 yards passing but he did throw two picks. On the other side, Joe Burrow tosses another four touchdowns.

Jacksonville 34 Denver 20 (Harv’s score Broncos 28-27): If no one believes in the Jaguars still think again. They are for real and a true threat to anyone they face in the ensuing playoffs. It’s difficult to put together long winning streaks in the NFL so it was bound to happen that Denver’s consecutive victories would eventually be snapped.

Atlanta 26 Arizona 19 (Harv’s score Falcons 33-23): While his stats weren’t overwhelming, Kirk Cousins has led the Falcons to back-to-back wins. The Cardinals season has spun out of control with seven straight losses. From 3-5 to 3-12. Ugh.

Houston 23 Las Vegas 21 (Harv’s score Texans 45-12): The Texans and Jaguars are battling each for most wins in a row with Jacksonville now at six and Houston with seven straight. Who’s the hotter team? Hard to say. But this game was closer than expected so any time a team struggles against a team that has won just two games, eyebrows rise.

Pittsburgh 29 Detroit 24 (Harv’s score Steelers 27-24): Easily the craziest game of the day given the ending. Perhaps the Lions thought they were robbed but nonetheless, it’s in the books and the Steelers could win the division by default if the Packers defeat Baltimore in the next round of games. With the loss Detroit is now on the outside looking in.

New England 28 Baltimore 24 (Harv’s score Patriots 31-24): The Patriots did the Steelers a favor and, in the process, clinched a playoff berth. Lamar Jackson hurt again. He and J.J. McCarthy seemed to be injury prone. The Ravens need a miracle at this point to get the playoffs.

San Francisco 48 Indianapolis 27 (Harv’s score 49ers 30 Colts 21): Hats off to Philip Rivers who at 44 is playing like he is 24. While the Colts probably got knocked out of a playoff opportunity, Rivers throws for 277 yards and two scores. He did get picked once and was sacked twice. With a healthy Brock Purdy the 49ers will be a tough out in the postseason.

Week 17 Picks