Week 17 of the NFL season is here, and there are still plenty of fun pools to join. Whether you are still alive in your season-long survivor pool or in a second-chance pool, these are the best picks to stay alive during Week 17.
Week 17 Survivor Best Pick
Patriots over Jets
The Patriots pulled out an amazing win over the Ravens last week. Now, despite losing to the Bills, New England still controls its own destiny to win the AFC East and get a top-two seed in the AFC. Wins over the lowly Jets and Dolphins the next two weeks will secure the Patriots the division. There could be some difficulty rebounding after two highly emotional games against great teams the past two weeks, but with such a big accomplishment on the horizon, Mike Vrabel should have his team ready. The Jets actually put forward a decent effort by their standards in the first matchup between these teams, and the Patriots still won the game by double digits. Since the Sauce Gardner trade, the Jets don’t have the secondary to stop Drake Maye and the Patriots’ passing attack. Offensively, the Jets are a non-threat with Brady Cook at quarterback. The Jets are clearly just working through things and not putting the best players on the field to win games at this point, and the Patriots should handle business.
Week 17 Survivor Bold Pick
Lions over Vikings
The Lions took a massive blow to their playoff chances by losing to the Steelers last week. However, they are mathematically still alive, and because of the injury to Jordan Love, their chances of catching the Packers look much more realistic. This is a team that has won a lot of games the last few seasons, and while things have not gone smoothly this season, Dan Campbell should have his group highly motivated to keep going the next two weeks. The Vikings have strung together three consecutive wins, so the public sentiment has risen on them a bit. However, those wins have come against three of the worst defenses in the league, the Commanders, Cowboys and Giants. Aidan Hutchinson should be able to get after J.J. McCarthy and force some of the mistakes we saw from McCarthy earlier in the season. Offensively, the Lions should put up enough points to get past the Vikings and keep their season alive through Christmas Day at the very least.
Week 17 Survivor Favorite to Avoid
Steelers over Browns
The Steelers are coming off a massive win over Detroit, while the Ravens lost to the Patriots in tragic fashion. The Steelers are in firm control of the AFC North and just need to win either of their last two games or have the Ravens lose either of their last two games to lock up the division. However, that level of comfort could work against them. Mike Tomlin is not an offensive or defensive mastermind. He has been so successful in his NFL career by being a master motivator and locker room manager. He constantly gets his team ready for huge games like last week’s battle against the Lions. However, his teams also have a history of slipping up in spots like this. As road favorites, the Steelers have struggled under Mike Tomlin. The Browns will be highly motivated to play spoiler against their division rivals. Myles Garrett and this Browns defense are playing at a high level and should make life hard on Aaron Rodgers. If Shedeur Sanders can avoid turnovers, the Browns have a real shot to pull off the upset in this game.
