Eagles at Bills predictions for Week 17 of the NFL season

Eagles at Bills predictions for Week 17 of the NFL season originally appeared on NBC Sports Philadelphia

The Eagles (10-5) are on the road to face the Bills (11-4) on Sunday afternoon in Orchard Park.

Here are our predictions:

Reuben Frank (11-4)

I love that the Eagles have this measuring-stick game against a really good team late in the season with enough potentially at stake that Nick Sirianni has to play the starters but realistically without huge seeding implications and not a wholelot to lose. Who are the Eagles? Are they the team that went 4-5 from early October through early December or the team that's had two four-game winning streaks and is coming off decisive wins over two bad teams? I feel like we'll learn a lot about the Eagles Sunday in Orchard Park. Were the wins over the Raiders and Commanders a mirage or a sign that this team has really figured a few things out? The Bills are fun to watch and they've got elite weapons on offense, mainly Josh Allen and James Cook. They're also 30th against the run - 144 yards per game, 5.4 per carry - and that coincides with the Eagles finally getting the running game rolling. The Bills have had games allowing 160, 189, 197, 202, 210, 238 and 246 rushing yards, and I feel like the Eagles' new-found commitment to the running game and the Bills' struggles against the run are going to make the difference in this one.

Eagles 24, Bills 21

Dave Zangaro (9-6)

I admittedly went back and forth a few times during this week. This is a really tough game for the Eagles on the road against one of the best teams in the NFL. It's also their last chance to play a good team before the playoffs begin in a couple weeks. If they're able to get a win in Buffalo, everyone in Philadelphia will start believing that this team has another Super Bowl run in them. This is going to be a tight game that could go either way. Whichever team is able to run the ball more effectively and efficiently is probably going to win this game. On paper, that should be the Bills and their No. 1 rushing offense. But the Eagles have been improving as a run defense and will have Jalen Carter back for this game, although they will be missing Nakobe Dean. I also have some renewed faith in the Eagles' rushing offense and the Bills have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL. This is going to be a gross, wet game in Orchard Park. Give me the Eagles in a tight one.

Eagles 21, Bills 17

Barrett Brooks (10-5)

Going into this season, I really assumed that this would be a game where the Eagles could possibly be in a position to rest a lot of their roster. I actually had theirrecord at 12-3 and one game from clinchingthe No. 1 seed. Wow, what a roller coaster ride this season has been. It took up until last week to lock up the NFC East.

I think the offense has finally regained the identityneeded to go into the playoffs. They are a running team. Yes, I believe in the passing game, but running the ball travels well in bad weather and physicalitysets the tone in the playoffs. Saquon Barkley is back to running pissed off and the O-line is finally healthy enough to move the line of scrimmage back, opening up rush lanes that even I could run though. I think Jalen Hurts is good to go, running the passing game. He is making good reads and delivering accuratepasses to receivers. The offense will be able to score on just about every drive on offense.

Vic Fangio will have a harder time stopping two of the best weapons in the league: Reigning MVP Josh Allen and James Cook, who leads the NFL in rushing. Both are very hard to defend. Cook is one-step cut, and could potentially take it to the house every play.

This will definitely be the toughest test for the Eagles in the past month. Of course I'm drinking the Green Kool-Aid and I will predict the Birds to win. I think this will be a smash mouth game and the Eagleswin the physical game in the trenches.

Eagles 26, Bills 21

Mike Mulhern (10-5)

Despite all the handwringing throughout this season, a win on Sunday would cement the Eagles as one of the true Super Bowl contenders in what feels like a wide-open race for the Lombardi Trophy. The Rams are the current favorites, but they're currently the 6th seed in the NFC and might have a first-round date with the Eagles at the Linc in early January. The Bills are among the top bets in the AFC but will also likely be on the road come playoff time. The Eagles have a guaranteed home game, a roster stocked full of talent, and championship makeup. I wouldn't be shocked if they emerge from this weekend as the favorites to win it all.

Josh Allen, James Cook and company should put the Eagles defense to the test in this one. Vic Fangio has had answers for most every team they've faced, and he should have Jalen Carter back to bolster his defensive line. The Birds will be able to blanket Buffalo's receivers, but keeping Josh Allen contained in the pocket will be key.

The Eagles' offense remains a question, but they've started to figure things out in the running game. Given the expected weather conditions and the Bills porous run defense, expect plenty of work for Saquon Barkley. This will end up being one of the games of the year and hopefully one we'll get to see again in Santa Clara in February.

Eagles 24 Bills 22

Ashlyn Sullivan (9-6)

When the 2025 schedule was released, this was the game many (myself included) considered the prime matchup of the year for the Eagles. I still think that holds true despite the Eagles already winning the division and the three seed in the NFC looking like it's pretty much locked in. The Eagles offense has finally seemed to be consistentwith the running game and passing game complementing each other. The Bills' run defense is their Achilles heel, ranking 30th in the league. Saquon Barkley should have anotherweek where he gets back on track. I look at this game's big picture: The Bills need this win to keep their AFC East crown and the No. 1 overall seed alive. Bills quarterback Josh Allen is playing at an MVP level. With the pressure on the Bills, I have them winning this game. While it would be a bonus to win a game of this caliber, the Eagles don't need to win this game, but they still have the expectation to do so.

Bills 28 , Eagles 21