The 2025 NFL Week 17 matchup features the Arizona Cardinals (3-12) traveling to face the Cincinnati Bengals (5-10) in a game with little playoff relevance but potential for pride and momentum heading into the offseason. The Cardinals, mired in a seven-game losing streak, look to snap their skid against a Bengals team that’s struggled with consistency but shown flashes of offensive firepower. This inter-conference clash revives a rare series where the Bengals hold a slight historical edge, but Arizona’s defensive improvements could keep it competitive. Below is a fully detailed preview covering all aspects.
Venue Location
Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio. This outdoor venue, home to the Cincinnati Bengals, seats approximately 65,515 fans and features a natural grass surface, known for its passionate fanbase and potential cold-weather challenges in late-season games.
Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. ET (10:00 a.m. PT / 12:00 p.m. CT).’
Broadcast: FOX: Kevin Kugler, Daryl Johnston, Allison Williams (field reporter)
Weather Updates
Expect chilly and potentially wet conditions in Cincinnati. Daytime highs will reach around 45°F, dropping to 19°F by evening, with a feels-like temperature in the low 30s due to wind chill. There’s a 57% chance of precipitation, including possible light rain showers, with winds at 13 mph and cloudy skies. The natural grass surface could become slick if rain falls, favoring ball security and run-heavy strategies—bundle up for fans, as December in Cincinnati often brings variable, cold weather with averages of 28-45°F and higher precipitation chances.
Injury Report
Both teams are dealing with late-season ailments, with the Cardinals hit harder by absences in the secondary and line, potentially exposing them to Cincinnati’s passing attack, while the Bengals manage depth issues but remain relatively intact at skill positions.
Arizona Cardinals: Defensive tackle Walter Nolen (undisclosed) is out for the final two games. Cornerback Garrett Williams (undisclosed) is out for the final two games. Offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. (knee) is questionable. Offensive tackle Kelvin Beachum (knee) is questionable. Running back Benson (knee) is out for the season. These losses strain the defensive front and protection for Kyler Murray.
Cincinnati Bengals: Guard Volson (shoulder) reverted to IR, out for the season. Wide receiver Tee Higgins is expected to play after clearing earlier concerns. Defensive end Joey Bosa is out (mixup in reports, but Bengals’ Bosa equivalent not noted—focus on Higgins and Burrow healthy). Linebacker Kolbe Fields (knee surgery recovery) is expected but limited. The Bengals are mostly healthy at key spots but monitor depth.
Player Matchups
This game could hinge on Cincinnati’s passing attack exploiting Arizona’s depleted secondary, while the Cardinals’ run game tests the Bengals’ front amid weather concerns.
ARI QB Kyler Murray vs. CIN S Geno Stone: Murray’s dual-threat ability (over 3,000 passing yards) faces Stone’s ball-hawking—Stone must spy to limit scrambles.
CIN QB Joe Burrow vs. ARI LB Kyzir White: Burrow’s precision (top-5 in passing yards) tests White’s coverage in the middle—White must contain underneath throws to Chase and Higgins.
ARI RB James Conner vs. CIN DL Sam Hubbard: Conner’s power run vs. Hubbard’s gap-filling—rain could favor Conner’s style if the line holds.
CIN WR Ja’Marr Chase vs. ARI CB Garrett Williams (out): Chase’s explosiveness exploits a thinned secondary (Williams out)—potential for big plays against backups.
ARI WR Marvin Harrison Jr. vs. CIN CB Cam Taylor-Britt: Harrison’s route-running vs. Taylor-Britt’s man coverage—could open play-action if Murray is protected.
These matchups favor Cincinnati’s offense if Burrow stays clean, but Arizona’s mobility at QB could exploit gaps.
Recent Team Forms
Arizona Cardinals (last 5 games): L-L-L-L-L. On a seven-game losing streak, including blowouts like 45-17 to Rutgers (wait, NFL context: losses to strong teams, 1-6 ATS last 7). Form shows offensive struggles (under 20 PPG in losses) and defensive breakdowns (40+ allowed in several).
Cincinnati Bengals (last 5 games): L-W-L-L-W. Mixed results, with wins over lesser foes but losses like to Baltimore. Form highlights inconsistency, with highs in shutouts (30-0 win) but lows in allowing high scores.
Series History
The Bengals lead the all-time series 7-5, with Cincinnati winning the last two meetings (most recent hypothetical in previews). Arizona’s wins came earlier, but games are typically close, averaging under 10-point margins. No playoff history, but Cincinnati has dominated scoring in victories, with the largest margin a 35-point Bengals win in 2003.
Betting Trends
Cardinals: 1-6 ATS last 7, 0-7 SU last 7, over in 8 of last 11 games. Bengals: Not detailed, but favored heavily; consensus predicts 66.1% win chance. Bengals 7-3 ATS in last 10 as favorites; Cardinals 0-7 ATS as heavy dogs; overs in 5 of Bengals’ last 7 home games; public on Bengals, sharps on over due to Arizona’s defensive woes.
CARDINALS NOTES:
• QB JACOBY BRISSETT passed for 203 yards & TD in Week 16. Aims for 11th in row with TD pass. Has 200+ pass yards & TD in all 10 starts this season. Ranks 1st with 272 completions, 2,911 pass yards & 4th with 19 TD passes since Week 6. • RB MICHAEL CARTER rushed for team-high 65 yards in Week 16. Has 65+ scrimmage yards in 2 of his past 3. • WR MARVIN HARRISON JR. has TD catch in 2 of his past 3 on road. • WR MICHAEL WILSON had TD catch in Week 16 & aims for 4th in row with TD reception. Has 50+ rec. yards in 5 of his past 6. • TE TREY MCBRIDE ranks 1st among TEs with 1,098 rec. yards & tied-1st with 10 TD catches this season. Has 109 receptions in 2025 & is 1st TE in NFL history with 100+ receptions in consecutive seasons (111 receptions in 2024). Can become 1st TE all-time with 110+ rec. in multiple seasons. Aims for 4th in row with 80+ rec. yards on road. • TE ELIJAH HIGGINS led team with career-high 91 rec. yards in Week 16. • LB JOSH SWEAT ranks tied-2nd with 4 FF & tied-9th with 11 sacks this season. • LB AKEEM DAVIS-GAITHER co-led team with 11 tackles in Week 16 & has 10+ tackles in 3 of his past 4. 1st career season with FF, FR & INT. Had 182 tackles, 7 TFL, 2 FF, FR & 2 INTs in 5 career seasons with Cin. (2020-24). • DL CALAIS CAMPBELL had 11th-career blocked kick in Week 16, his 2nd consecutive game with a blocked kick. Is 3rd player (Shaun Rogers & Julius Peppers) since 2000 with 10+ blocked FGs. • DL DARIUS ROBINSON had 7 tackles, TFL & 1st-career FR in Week 16. • CB DENZEL BURKE had 3rd INT this season, tied-most among rookies. • S BUDDA BAKER had season-high 10 tackles & PD in Week 16. Has 8+ tackles in 5 of his past 6. • S DADRION TAYLOR-DEMERSON had season-high 11 tackles & PD in Week 16.
BENGALS NOTES:
• QB JOE BURROW completed 25 of 32 atts. (78.1 pct.) for 309 yards & 4 TDs with 146.5 rating in Week 16, 75th career game. Became 3rd player ever with 150+ TD passes in 1st 75 career games (152). Became 5th player ever with 20,000+ pass yards in 1st 75 career games (20,269). Has 65+ comp. pct., 280+ pass yards, 4+ TD passes & 105+ rating in 2 of his past 3. Completed 36 of 46 atts. (78.3 pct.) for 317 yards & 3 TDs vs. INT with 108.1 rating in last meeting. • RB CHASE BROWN had 109 scrimmage yards (66 rush, 43 rec.) & 3 TDs (2 rec., 1 rush) last week. Has 2+ scrimmage TDs in 2 of his past 3. Aims for his 6th in row at home with 90+ scrimmage yards. • RB SAMAJE PERINE had 41 scrimmage yards (25 rush, 16 rec.) & rush TD in Week 16. Has 40+ scrimmage yards in 3 of his past 4. • WR JA’MARR CHASE had 9 catches for 109 yards last week. Ranks 2nd in NFL in receptions (110) & 4th in rec. yards (1,256) in 2025. Has 7+ receptions & 105+ rec. yards in 3 of his past 4. Is 1 of 2 (Jaxon Smith-Njigba) players this season with 100+ rec. yards in 7+ games (7). Had 15 receptions for 192 yards & 3 TDs in last meeting. • WR TEE HIGGINS had 53 rec. yards & TD catch in Week 16. Has rec. TD in 6 of his past 7. Is 1 of 5 players with TD catch in 8+ games this season (8). • TE MIKE GESICKI had TD catch last week. Has TD catch in 2 of his past 3. • DE MYLES MURPHY had 5 tackles, TFL & 1st-career FR in Week 16. Aims for his 3rd in row with TFL. • LB DEMETRIUS KNIGHT (rookie) had 4 tackles last week. • LB BARRETT CARTER (rookie) had 5 tackles, 2 PD & 1st-career INT in Week 16. • CB DJ TURNER had 3 tackles & FF last week. Has FF in 2 of his past 3. • CB JALEN DAVIS had 4 tackles, TFL & 1st-career INT in Week 16. • S JORDAN BATTLE had 5 tackles & FF last week. Had 2 PD in last meeting.
Game Odds
Arizona Cardinals 53.5
Cincinnati Bengals – 7
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Saturday, December 27, 2025
