NFL Survivor Pool Picks (Week 17) - Targets and Avoids

If you've made it this far in your survivor pool, what a remarkable job you've done. It hasn't been easy especially with the last two weeks of upsets from the Jets.

As for the rest of Week 16, favorites went 9-6 against the spread (Colts-Steelers closed pick 'em). There were four outright upsets, none bigger than the Bengals beating Texans as 7.5 point underdogs.

All Week 17 games are on Sunday. It's difficult this week to pick games early in the week with teams potentially sitting numerous starters.

Survivor League Week 17

Teams favored by a touchdown or more in Week 17; Colts -14 vs. Jaguars, Ravens -13 @ Bengals, Browns -10 vs. Steelers, Titans -7.5 @ Texans, and Vikings -7 @ Lions.

Lines are from Tuesday. Check the current spreads and see how the line moved.

I also give out my three top plays against the spread. That can be found at the bottom of the column.

Top Survivor Picks for Week 17

Ravens -13 @ Bengals

I see it every week with Baltimore; they crush bad teams. They get ahead and then the opposing team can not stop the run. The defense then rolls. The Ravens have been on a tear winning four in a row. This should be a blowout.

Ravens 37 - Bengals 13

Colts -14 vs. Jaguars

Jacksonville beat Indy in Week 1, knocking so many people out of survivor, and since, has lost 14 straight. Go figure. The Colts need a win and help to make the playoffs. I hate taking teams that need to win because if they were good, they wouldn't be in this situation in the first place. But that doesn't apply to this game. I've been a sucker and bet the Jags in two of their last three games. They're awful. Their offense and defense rank in the bottom-ten over the last three games.

Colts 38 - Jaguars 14

Vikings -7 @ Lions

This is my best bet of the week. Minnesota is still playing hard. The Lions though, have completely quit. They've given up 46 and 47 points in the past two games. It's unclear if Matt Stafford plays or not. He is so banged up though. Without him, this Lions team would be 1-15 every year. Mike Zimmer and the Vikings will show up to end their season with a big win.

Vikings 41 - Lions 13

Top Survivor Picks to Avoid 

Browns -10 vs. Steelers

Mason Rudolph will be starting and he has something to prove after Myles Garrett swung at him with his own helmet last year in this very stadium. Cleveland needs to win and Pittsburgh doesn't. This is a rivalry game and despite the Steelers sitting starters, they're still gonna play to win. 10 points is way too much.

Browns 23 - Steelers 21

Titans -7.5 @ Texans

Tennessee needs to win and Houston has nothing to play for. I'll say it again, if teams in must-win situations were any good, they why would they be in a must-win situation to begin with?

Deshaun Watson will be starting Sunday. That changes the game. J.J. Watt gave an impassioned speech after Sunday's loss imploring his team to show up every week no matter if they're out of the playoffs.

Titans 31 - Texans 30

Best Bets for Week 17

• Vikings -7 @ Lions
• Seahawks -5.5 @ 49ers - Seattle is rolling and you wonder how much the Niners have left in the tank with another 'home' game in Arizona.
• Ravens -13 @ Bengals

Running Totals

• Last week: 1-2
• 2020 season total: 23-25
• 2019 season total: 23-26-2

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