The Athletic Football Show: A show about the NFL Week 17 Preview: Massive division title and playoff seeding stakes on the line
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Dec 26, 2025 As Week 17 approaches, the stakes are heating up in the NFL. Eleven playoff spots are filled, but the final AFC Wild Card berth is still in play, mostly leaning towards the Texans. The hosts analyze matchups, from the Cowboys-Commanders being entertaining yet inconsequential, to the Vikings' emerging defense. They investigate how Baltimore's explosive run game can be contained by Green Bay and preview the pivotal roles of quarterbacks in crucial matchups. Expect analysis on playoff implications and exciting narratives in the final stretch!
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Holiday Games Can Backfire
- The NFL's decision to schedule multiple late-season holiday games can produce low-quality, inconsequential matchups.
- Robert Mays argues the league's greed risks meaningfulness when games become unflexible and irrelevant.
Watching Games During Family Holiday
- Dave Helman watched three Christmas Day games while attending his fiance's family gathering.
- He balanced family moments with monitoring low-stakes football, including a surprise engagement during Bo Nix's late drives.
Vikings Defensive Resurgence Is Complicated
- The Vikings defense surged late, restricting opponents' passing success rate dramatically since Week 12.
- Robert Mays notes their cap issues and aging pieces complicate translating that stretch into sustained success.