The final week in the NFL is finally upon us, so that means many Survivor Pool participants are finished for the season.
However, if your league escaped the disastrous week 3 with Minnesota, then this is a crucial week in the Survivor Pool. I’ve been on fire this season, going 15-1 overall in the Survivor Pool, with several of my Sleeper picks coming through, too.
Here’s my week 17 NFL Survivor Pool best bets to get your through the remainder of the regular season.
Teams Used: Green Bay, Los Angeles Rams, Minnesota (loss), Jacksonville, Carolina, Houston, Indianapolis, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Los Angeles Chargers, Chicago, New England, Philadelphia, New Orleans, Baltimore, Cleveland
Best Bet
Seattle Seahawks
Even if Seattle rests its starters, I’m still not sure Arizona can win this game.
Seattle has the fifth seed wrapped up in the NFC playoffs, so it’s worrisome that the Seahawks could rest their starters in anticipation of the playoffs starting one week later. However, even if the starters don’t play the entire game, it’s not out of the question that Seattle should be favored against Arizona.
The Cardinals have the worst offense in the NFL at 4.4 yards per play and the defense has been worse in recent weeks, giving up 6 yards per play, tied for fourth-worst in the NFL in the last three weeks.
And on the road, Arizona has been atrocious this season, which should continue at Seattle. The Seahawks have been the best team running the football in the second half of the season. Pete Carroll says the starters won’t rest, but even if they take some time off, the running game should continue to make Seattle a solid choice in the Survivor Pool.
Sleeper Pick
New York Giants
Normally, the Giants wouldn’t be worth the time it would take to even think about them in the Survivor Pool.
However, in week 17, with Dallas solidly in the No. 4 spot for the NFC playoffs and having to go on the road, I’m backing away from the Cowboys. And the Giants have actually not been terrible in recent weeks. The record hasn’t been good, but the Giants have held their own against their opponents.
The Giants are 12th in yards per play in the last three weeks at 5.6, and 15th in yards per play allowed in the last three weeks. Both of those numbers are actually better than Dallas in that time period. There’s no reason why Dallas should bring its starters to this game anyway.
New York isn’t as bad as its record indicates, so that should be something we keep in mind for next season.
Be Careful
Baltimore Ravens
I have a hard time picking against Cleveland. I never thought I would say that after years of struggle.
The Browns are playing well on both sides of the ball, especially offensively. And while the Ravens have been solid in recent weeks, I don’t see what everyone else is seeing on offense. The Ravens have to run the football to have success on offense.
That doesn’t work if the game flow doesn’t work their way. That scares me on a weekly basis, especially against a team like Cleveland that has played so well on that side of the ball.
Cleveland may not have any shot at the playoffs anymore, but there will still be motivation in this one. That’s why I would dismiss the Ravens in week 17.
