NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 17: Advice and Predictions

by Spencer Toth - 12/27/2023

NFL survivor pool picks Week 17 Brock Purdy San Francisco 49ers

Surviving an entire NFL season is no easy task. And with 16 teams already used, these final weeks can be the most difficult to navigate. Last week, we had saved the Eagles all season and finally cashed in on what was an easy victory over the New York Giants. This week, there are few safe options still available on the board, and here are my top survivor pool picks, ranked from most to least confident for Week 17.

Doc’s Sports offers NFL expert picks for every game on our NFL predictions page.

San Francisco 49ers (-13.5) Over Washington Commanders

This one should come as no surprise, as the 49ers will make quick work of the Washington Commanders. Washington has lost 6 straight games and will be vastly outclassed all over the field when they welcome the 49ers to FedEx Field. San Francisco took their first loss in over a month on Monday night, and Brock Purdy will be eager to wash his 4-interception game out of his mouth. This one won’t be close.

Philadelphia Eagles (-10.5) Over Arizona Cardinals

The Eagles may have been knocked down a few pegs by fellow Super Bowl contenders in recent weeks, but they will have no problem against the lowly Cardinals. Whether it’s on the ground or in the air, the Eagles offense will not be slowed down and will cruise to a 30+ point score. The Cardinals have nothing to play for. And once they go down double digits, there will be no motivation to mount a comeback.

Buffalo Bills (-12) Over New England Patriots

The Bills are rounding out the double-digit favorites of the week. And while I’m less confident than the other two teams, they should still beat up on their division rivals. Josh Allen is more composed in the pocket than we’ve seen him in recent years, and it has allowed the Bills to stick to the gamepan and use their quality to outlast their opponents. The Patriots defense is daunting. However, without an offense to complement it, New England will struggle to put many points on the board.

Cleveland Browns (-7) Over New York Jets

Assuming you’ve already used the aforementioned top dogs, the Browns are a great choice this week, and will be my official selection this week. Joe Flacco has stepped in admirably to keep the Browns in the playoff race, and they can clinch a postseason berth with a Thursday Night win. Flacco has been good, but the reason the Browns are where they are is their suffocating defense. Myles Garrett is leading a very intimidating defensive front, and the Jets QB carousel will be rushed in the pocket and will turn the ball over multiple times. The Browns are a great late season pick, as they’ve proven they can control the football and grind out wins against low tier opposition.

Denver Broncos (-3) Over LA Chargers

The Broncos cannot afford to drop this very winnable game against the Chargers to keep their playoff hopes alive, and they will find a way to win. Easton Stick failed to put together a victory against the Bills in Week 15, despite getting a +3 turnover margin. He was ineffective on offense, and the solid Denver defense will be breathing down his neck early and often. Despite the surprising quarterback change for Denver, they are still the superior squad and can be trusted in your survivor pool.

Jacksonville Jaguars (-7) Over Carolina Panthers

The Panthers are usually a pretty easy fade, and when they visit Jacksonville it will be no exception. Trevor Lawrence is clearly not at 100%. However, in a game the Jaguars cannot afford to lose, I expect him to play. Bryce Young has shown signs of life, but a poor Carolina defense will not give him a chance to make a late game comeback. Jacksonville rolls to a much-needed win.

Baltimore Ravens (-4) Over Miami Dolphins

It may seem odd to see the Dolphins being faded this high up the list, but Baltimore has been that good. Miami has still failed to beat a quality team this season, as I’m not counting the 3-5 Cowboys on the road. Baltimore walked into San Francisco, and walked out with a win. And at home in front of a boisterous Baltimore crowd, Lamar Jackson and co. will clinch the top seed in the AFC.

Kansas City Chiefs (-7) Over Cincinnati Bengals

The Chiefs have been a shadow of their former selves this season, as the 6 losses on Patrick Mahomes’ record is already a career high. However, at home, they simply must beat the Bengals. A quality defense will give Jake Browning issues. And as long as Mahomes doesn’t give up 2+ defensive touchdowns like he did last week, the Chiefs will emerge with a win.

Dallas Cowboys (-6) Over Detroit Lions

The Cowboys may have their road issues, but they’ve scored 30+ points in all 7 home games this season, and will do so once again. Detroit has already clinched the NFC North. And while they are still playing for seeding, they won’t be emptying the tank if they fall behind early. Dak Prescott bounces back, improving the Cowboys home record to 8-0 in the process.

Chicago Bears (-3) Over Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons are remarkably still in the playoff race, but the fact they are underdogs against the Bears should tell you all you need to know about this franchise. Chicago will be keeping their foot on the gas late in the season, developing their players while keeping the Panthers likely first overall pick in their back pocket. Justin Fields can shred defenses on the ground, and his connection with DJ Moore has blossomed into one of the best in the league. Meanwhile, the Falcons keep switching back and forth from Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke, disrupting the limited chemistry they have formed this year. Bears by a touchdown feels pretty likely.

Las Vegas Raiders (+3) Over Indianapolis Colts

The Raiders do not deserve to be underdogs against the Colts, as their suffocating defense will prevent Gardner Minshew from getting anything going. Their offense still needs work, but they have become a dominant defense under Antonio Pierce and will keep their slim playoff hopes alive with a win in Indianapolis.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3) Over New Orleans Saints

Divisional matchups are always tricky to confidently predict, but Baker Mayfield and the Bucs will build on their late season momentum and pick up a crucial win. The Saints defensive front will be unable to pressure Mayfield into making mistakes. And like most NFL QBs, when Mayfield has time to go through his progressions, he usually makes the right choice. A lack of explosive plays from New Orleans will be their demise, eliminating them from the postseason with a loss.

Houston Texans (-3.5) Over Tennessee Titans

The Texans are expected to get CJ Stroud back for this matchup, and it is one they cannot afford to lose. The Titans are a difficult team to predict on a weekly basis, but Stroud and his supporting cast are simply better than whoever the Titans throw under center. Two equivalent defenses will cancel out, and I trust Stroud to put together a solid showing in a must win game for his team.

Pittsburgh Steelers (+3.5) Over Seattle Seahawks

This is exactly the type of game the Steelers usually find a way to win. And with Mike Tomlin’s .500 streak on the line, and the AFC Wild Card still within touching distance, their defense will step up en route to a nail-biting victory. There are better options out there, but don’t be tempted to take a desperate Seattle team at home. If the Seahawks find themselves trailing, Geno Smith’s turnover tendencies will be their demise if they try to get over aggressive down the field.

LA Rams (-6) Over New York Giants

The Rams are very low on my list, as I expect the Giants to bring this one right down to the wire. The Rams lack a quality secondary needed to prevent late game comebacks. And while their potent offense under Matthew Stafford is good, their defense will make this one a lot closer than it should be. I’m not saying I expect the Giants to win. But with many better options on the board, you shouldn’t be touching this one late in your survivor pool season.

Minnesota Vikings (-2) Over Green Bay Packers

The loser of this one will be eliminated from postseason contention. And in a must-win game for both teams, you should not be placing your survivor pool life on the line. While I do expect the Vikings to edge out a win at home, both of these squads have been far too inconsistent this season to trust.

Pick: Cleveland Browns Over New York Jets

Teams Used: Washington Commanders, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, LA Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Minnesota Vikings, Jacksonville Jaguars, Houston Texans, Las Vegas Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles

Get NFL picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bet premium picks by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

Pick:	DRAW (+295)
Start:	December 3, 2024 @ 1:00 PM
Expert:	Doc's Sports

Analysis:

Free Soccer pick from Doc’s Sports for Tuesday: Take Mallorca/Barcelona to DRAW (+295) (1 p.m. EST, Tuesday, December 3) This is a very public line for Barcelona, who have been struggling lately and are not in top form. They are being lined in this matchup, however, like they are in form, and there is really great value on the draw here. Mallorca are no pushovers this season as they sit at No. 6 on the table and have earned points in 10 of 15 matches. They have won two straight, so they will enter this crucial matchup with confidence. We are not sure they have enough to earn the full three points, but Barca are vulnerable right now. They have earned only one point in their last three league matches, and that was a road draw at Celta Vigo. They dropped their last match at home, 2-1, to Las Palmas as a massive favorite. But the oddsmakers aren’t punishing them for their recent poor performance, so there is value here in the draw. The last meeting at Estadi Mallorca resulted in a 2-2 stalemate. Read More Read Less

NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 17: Advice and Predictions

Most Recent NFL Survivor Pool Picks