NFL Week 17 picks include Jaguars, Steelers and Niners
Lorenzo Reyes shares his three picks for NFL games through Christmas week.
Week 17 of the NFL regular season features high-stakes matchups involving teams jockeying for playoff position. Saturday’s double-header alone features three teams in playoff position already (Houston, Green Bay and the Los Angeles Chargers) and one trying to win its division (Baltimore).
There’s another important matchup this week with implications on the other end of team success. The 2-13 New York Giants and 2-13 Las Vegas Raiders face off in a game that could determine who holds the No. 1 pick in the 2026 NFL Draft.
And one of the best players from those teams won’t be suiting up.
Raiders star edge rusher Maxx Crosby will not be playing for Las Vegas due to a nagging knee injury, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. Crosby was upset about that decision and left the team building after learning he wouldn’t be playing against the Giants, per FOX’s Jay Glazer.
Scoopage: Raiders told Maxx Crosby they want to shut him down last two games. Crosby, who has played with injuries for much of the year, vehemently disagreed and has left the building @nflonfox has learned. This could lead to questions on his future in Vegas
— Jay Glazer (@JayGlazer) December 26, 2025
Crosby was asked earlier about the No. 1 pick in the draft being in play for this week’s game and was honest.
“I don’t give a (expletive) about the pick, I don’t play for that,” Crosby said. “That’s not my job. My job is to be the best defensive end in the world, and that’s what I focus on every day. And being a great leader and being an influence and being that guy on a consistent basis for my team.
“That’s their job, the front office, the coaches, they do that, but that’s got nothing to do with me. I’ve learned my lesson in the past, you can’t control everything and that’s not my job description. My job is to be the best in the world at what I do.”
This was Maxx Crosby earlier this week on the No. 1 overall pick being on the line vs. the Giants on Sunday:
“Yeah, I don’t give a sh*t about the pick. I don’t play for that. My job is to be the best defensive end in the world.”
pic.twitter.com/W6aJJwUFan https://t.co/Ujs1zIDKT2
— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) December 26, 2025
The Raiders and Giants are the lone two-win teams left in the NFL. Whichever team loses has a one-game lead over the rest of the league for the top pick which may all but clinch it ahead of Week 18.
Despite their record, the Raiders’ defense hasn’t been the weak part of the team. Instead, it’s the last-ranked offense in both points and yards. Securing the top pick would guarantee Las Vegas has its choice from the top quarterbacks in the 2026 draft class.
Maxx Crosby stats
Crosby’s had a solid season in 2025 after missing games for the first time in 2024. He notched his first career interception in Week 4 against the Chicago Bearsin addition to his usual production as a pass rusher.
Tackles: 73Tackles for loss: 28Sacks: 10Quarterback hits: 20Passes defensed: 6Interceptions: 1Forced fumbles: 22026 NFL Draft order
Here’s a look at the latest draft order for the first round with strength of schedule information via Tankathon:
New York Giants: 2-13 record; .531 strength of scheduleLas Vegas Raiders: 2-13; .543 SOSCleveland Browns: 3-12, .492 SOSNew York Jets: 3-12, .539 SOSTennessee Titans: 3-12, .573 SOSArizona Cardinals: 3-12; .576 SOSWashington Commanders: 4-12; .504 SOSNew Orleans Saints: 5-10; .498 SOSCincinnati Bengals: 5-10; .516 SOSKansas City Chiefs: 6-10; .513 SOSMiami Dolphins: 6-9; .490 SOSAtlanta Falcons (pick belongs to Los Angeles Rams): 6-9; .502 SOSBaltimore Ravens: 7-8; .504 SOSTampa Bay Buccaneers: 7-8, .529 SOSDallas Cowboys: 7-8-1; .438 SOSDetroit Lions: 8-8; .496 SOSMinnesota Vikings: 8-8; .515 SOSIndianapolis Colts (pick belongs to Jets): 8-7; .537 SOSCarolina Panthers: 8-7, .518 SOSPittsburgh Steelers: 9-6; .504 SOSGreen Bay Packers (pick belongs to Cowboys): 9-5-1; .476 SOSPhiladelphia Eagles: 10-5; .473 SOSHouston Texans: 10-5; .537 SOSBuffalo Bills: 11-4, .463 SOSLos Angeles Chargers: 11-4; .457 SOSSan Francisco 49ers: 11-4, .494 SOSJacksonville Jaguars (pick belongs to Browns): 11-4; .494 SOSLos Angeles Rams: 11-4, .529 SOSChicago Bears: 11-4; .445 SOSNew England Patriots: 12-3; .380 SOSSeattle Seahawks: 12-3; .502 SOSDenver Broncos: 13-3; .429 SOS