Week 17 of the NFL season delivered drama, grit, and no shortage of controversy as the Philadelphia Eagles squeaked past the Buffalo Bills with a 13-12 victory in a rain-soaked thriller on December 28, 2025. While the low-scoring affair might not have been a showcase of offensive fireworks, it was a defensive slugfest that may prove pivotal as the playoff picture comes into sharper focus. Yet, much of the postgame chatter swirled around the return—and actions—of Eagles defensive tackle Jalen Carter, whose presence was both a blessing and a lightning rod for debate.
After missing the previous three games due to shoulder surgeries, Jalen Carter was officially back in the Eagles lineup. The 24-year-old lineman had been a full participant at practice all week, reporting, "It feels better. I can’t get too excited because I’m still working on it every day, still getting the strength back and stuff like that. I had a couple times where I strike the O-lineman and gave me some good knock-back to where I could really test out the shoulders and they felt pretty good." According to NBC Sports Philadelphia, Carter was expected to be on a snap count, but his impact was felt immediately.
The Eagles’ defense, led by Carter’s bull rushes, set the tone early. In the first quarter, a controversial strip-sack credited to Jaelan Phillips set up a short field and the game’s opening touchdown. Not long after, Jalyx Hunt added his own sack, and Carter himself got to Bills quarterback Josh Allen, last year’s NFL MVP, in a statement play that had the Eagles sideline roaring. As the PhillyVoice reported, "A Jalen Carter bull rush made it clear the young stud pass rusher was fully back after missing some time due to surgery on his shoulders." Carter also blocked an extra point on the Bills’ only touchdown, a play that would ultimately loom large in a one-point victory.
Yet, the focus on Carter wasn’t all positive. Midway through the game, videos surfaced on social media allegedly showing Carter eye-gouging and throat-slashing Bills offensive lineman Spencer Brown. The referees did not call a penalty on the play, but the incident quickly ignited outrage online. One fan posted, "Jalen Carter is the DIRTIEST player in the NFL," while another added, "Jalen Carter out here choking Spencer Brown... how is this dude allowed to play professional football?" The accusations were the latest in a string of on-field controversies for Carter, who earlier in the season was ejected before the first play from scrimmage for spitting on Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott. Carter later addressed that incident, saying, "It was a mistake that happened on my side, and it just won't happen again. I feel bad for my teammates and the fans out there. I'm doing it for them. ... Not being able to start the game even, finish the game, it f---ed me up, but we're going to get it better. It won't happen again. I can make that promise."
Despite the swirling controversy, Carter’s return was a major boost for a Philadelphia defense that has been a force this season. The Eagles held the Bills scoreless for nearly 55 minutes, limiting them to just 6 of 15 on third down conversions and constantly harassing Allen in the pocket. Breakout performances by linemen like Moro Ojomo, who picked up his sixth sack of the year, and Jalyx Hunt, who recorded a gargantuan 19-yard loss sack, highlighted a defensive front that looked every bit the part of a playoff spoiler. The rain-soaked conditions only added to the gritty feel of the contest, as both teams struggled to move the ball consistently in the second half.
The Eagles’ offense, meanwhile, did just enough. After building a 13-point halftime lead, Philadelphia’s attack sputtered in the second half, managing only 17 total yards. The Bills clawed their way back into the game, scoring a late touchdown and attempting a game-tying two-point conversion, which the Eagles defense ultimately stuffed. The missed extra point—blocked by Carter—proved decisive, as Philadelphia survived a late Buffalo surge and some questionable officiating that left both teams frustrated. More than one pass interference call was hotly debated, and an obvious late hit on Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts was missed by the officials, according to the PhillyVoice game recap.
Elsewhere around the league, Week 17 was marked by the return of other key players from injury. Sauce Gardner, acquired by the Indianapolis Colts in a blockbuster trade, suited up after missing three games with a calf injury. Gardner’s return was crucial for a Colts squad still battling for a playoff berth, though they were forced to play without star defensive lineman DeForest Buckner, who was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a neck injury. The New England Patriots saw running back TreVeyon Henderson cleared to play after a concussion, while the Arizona Cardinals’ Marvin Harrison Jr. and the Chicago Bears’ Luther Burden III both returned to action despite lingering injuries. San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle, nursing an ankle injury, was a game-time decision for Sunday night’s clash with the Bears—a critical matchup as the Niners chase the NFC’s top seed.
Back in Philadelphia, the Eagles’ win keeps them in the hunt for playoff positioning, though they’ll need help to improve from the NFC’s 2-seed to the 3-seed. With one regular-season game remaining, likely featuring rested starters, attention now turns to whether the defense—anchored by a healthy Carter—can carry this team deep into January. As the PhillyVoice put it, "The defense is a force. The offense—well, it has its moments. If it has enough of those in January, it could be a deep postseason run."
The Bills, meanwhile, will be left to rue their missed opportunities and the impact of a stifling Eagles defense. For Jalen Carter, the spotlight remains as bright as ever—both for his game-changing plays and his penchant for controversy. Whether his aggressive style becomes a rallying point or a liability in the postseason is a question that only time—and perhaps the league office—can answer.
With the regular season winding down and playoff stakes rising, the Eagles’ defense is peaking at the right time. If this Week 17 slugfest was any indication, Philadelphia won’t go quietly. The rest of the NFL has been put on notice: the Eagles, led by a resurgent—and polarizing—Jalen Carter, are back and hungry for more.
