Colin Cowherd’s Blazin’ 5 Picks: NFL Week 17 in 2025

Cowherd was undefeated last week going 4-0-1

Onto week 17

Blazing 5 Record

2025 Season: 52-37-1 (58.4%)

Week 1: 3-2
Week 2: 2-3
Week 3: 1-4
Week 4: 3-2
Week 5: 3-2
Week 6: 4-1
Week 7: 4-1
Week 8: 4-1
Week 9: 2-3
Week 10: 3-2
Week 11: 5-0
Week 12: 2-3
Week 13: 2-3
Week 14: 3-2
Week 15: 2-3
Week 16: 4-0-1
Week 17: 2-3
Week 18: 3-2

Past Records

2025: 52-37-1 (58.4%)
2024: 30-47-2 (39.0%)
2023: 45-35-5 (56.3%)
2022: 44-37-4 (54.3%)
2021: 39-47 (45.3%)
2020: 40-42-2 (48.8%)
2019: 42-41-3 (50.6%)
2018: 43-33-2 (57.7%)
2017: 43-29-3 (59.7%)
2016: 44-33-3 (57.1%)

Colin Cowherd Week 17 2025 Blazing 5

Texans+2.5 at Chargers
Panthers +7 vs Seahawks
Eagles +2.5 at Bills
Bears +3 at 49ers
Cardinals at Bengals over 53.5

Houston Texans at Los Angeles Chargers Texans +2.5

This is a classic buy-the-underdog spot built on substance, not vibes. Houston enters on a seven game winning streak with a clear incentive. Win and they clinch a playoff berth. More importantly, they are getting healthier at the right time. The return of key offensive contributors stabilizes an offense that does not need to be explosive because the defense is doing the heavy lifting.

The Texans defense has quietly become the best unit in football. They travel well, they tackle, and they do not give up cheap points. Their only loss by more than three points came against Seattle, a team that has done that to plenty of opponents. This is not a defense that gets fluky takeaways and hopes to survive. It consistently controls games.

On the other side, the Chargers’ recent success needs context. Since Week 11 they rank 18th offensively, largely because their offensive line is held together with backups. Three of their four wins in this stretch came against the Raiders, Chiefs, and Cowboys, not exactly a murderer’s row of current form. With Houston’s pass rush and coverage, this sets up as a tight, low margin game. Taking the points is the correct play.

Projected score: Texans 23, Chargers 21

Seattle Seahawks at Carolina Panthers Panthers +7

This is one of those games where the number matters more than the winner. Carolina is fighting for the NFC South with a one game lead over Tampa, and they are playing their best football of the season. Bryce Young’s last three games look like a different quarterback entirely. Six touchdowns, zero interceptions, decisive throws, and confidence.

Seattle comes in off an exhausting overtime game against the Rams that required a season high 92 defensive snaps. That matters, especially on a long road trip. The Seahawks’ last two wins both came at home and by a combined three points. The offense feels disjointed and reliant on late game execution rather than sustained control.

Carolina at home, playing with urgency, and getting a full touchdown is the right side. Even if Seattle escapes with a win, this profiles as a one score game throughout.

Projected score: Seahawks 27, Panthers 23

Philadelphia Eagles at Buffalo Bills Eagles +2.5

This is a trench game, and it strongly favors Philadelphia. The Eagles are a great running team facing a Bills defense that struggles mightily against the run. When Philadelphia wins the turnover battle under Nick Sirianni, they almost never lose, and that has held again this season.

The offense is trending up at the right time. The offensive line is getting healthier, Jalen Hurts looks more comfortable the last two weeks, and Saquon Barkley is averaging over five yards per carry over his last three games. This is an offense built to control tempo.

Buffalo continues to flirt with danger every week. They have trailed in each of their last eight games and in the second half of six of the last seven. They play with their food, struggle on third down, and rely heavily on late execution to bail them out. Against a deeper, more physical roster, that is risky. The points are valuable here.

Projected score: Eagles 28, Bills 24

Chicago Bears at San Francisco 49ers Bears +3

This pick is about matchup reality versus reputation. Chicago comes in with extra rest and an offense that has quietly become dangerous. DJ Moore has five touchdown catches over the last five games, tied for the most in the league, and Caleb Williams is generating explosive plays without reckless turnovers.

San Francisco’s recent win streak looks impressive until you examine the opponents. Cleveland, Arizona, Tennessee, and Indianapolis do not exactly validate dominance. Brock Purdy trailing this season is a different quarterback, completing just 63 percent of his passes when playing from behind.

The bigger issue is the 49ers defense. They have the fewest sacks in the NFL, seven fewer than the next lowest team, and opposing quarterbacks have a passer rating of 101 against them. Christian McCaffrey just came off a 27 touch game, and the 49ers are 0–4 in games following contests where he hits that workload. Chicago has the offensive firepower to exploit this.

Projected score: Bears 28, 49ers 27

Arizona Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals Over 53.5

This is the lone total in the mix, and it is built on defensive reality. Cincinnati’s scoring defense ranks 29th, and Arizona’s is dead last. Both units are banged up, thin, and already bad before injuries entered the picture.

Weather will not save either side. A little wet but no temperature concerns means quarterbacks can still operate comfortably. Arizona’s defense has completely collapsed, allowing 40 plus points in two of its last three games. Cincinnati, with Joe Burrow healthy, is averaging 27 points per game and should have little resistance.

This shapes up as a back and forth game with sustained drives and explosive plays on both sides. Even if one team stalls in the red zone a couple times, the sheer volume of opportunities should push this total over.

Projected score: Bengals 30, Cardinals 27