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.
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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