NFL Week 17 survivor pool picks (Ride with Tom Brady, Giants and Lions in top predictions)

Things are really getting serious in Survivor Pools entering Week 17, as most people have likely used a lot of the best teams and are hoping to find an upset, or a short favorite, to carry them into the final week of the season.

The BetSided team went just 2-2 with our picks in Week 16, but we’re hoping to sweep things and get you on to Week 18 without harm.

Let’s dive into this week’s selections:

NFL Week 16 Survivor Pool Pick Results

• Iain MacMillan: Miami Dolphins (L)
• Ben Heisler: Tennessee Titans (L)
• Peter Dewey: Jacksonville Jaguars (W)
• Reed Wallach: San Francisco 49ers (W)

NFL Week 17 Survivor Pool Picks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

If I was still alive in my survivor pool, I had the Tampa Bay Buccaneers circled for Week 17 so that’s what I’d recommend in this spot for anyone smart enough to stay away from them for the majority of the season.

They can clinch the NFC South with a win against the Panthers this week, and if Tom Brady ever is going to decide to look like Tom Brady again, it’s this week against Carolina.

Their defense can match Carolina’s and will hopefully cause Sam Darnold to see ghosts again. If you still have them available, now is finally the time to take Tampa Bay in your survivor pool. – Iain MacMillan

New York Giants

Even though they lost in Week 16, the New York Giants are playing close games, and they have a chance to really lock themselves into the playoff picture with a win in Week 17.

New York takes on Nick Foles and the Indianapolis Colts who scored just three points in Week 16 against the Los Angeles Chargers.

Jeff Saturday has no idea what he’s doing at quarterback with this team, and Indy has gone in the tank in recent weeks. With Jonathan Taylor done for the season and the Colts’ offense unable to move the ball, the Giants are an easy pick to win at home for Survivor. – Peter Dewey

Detroit Lions

I feel slightly ill even considering the Detroit Lions as a survivor pick this late in the NFL season, but given the circumstances, as well as the location of the game, it’s the right play of my options remaining on the board.

Detroit faces a Chicago Bears team that finds itself closer to the possibility of having the No. 1 pick in the draft next year. Justin Fields has nobody to throw to, and their best corner in Jaylon Johnson is now on injured reserve for the year. Justin Fields continues to develop nicely for Chicago, but was held to his lowest rushing output of the season last week vs. Buffalo in single degree temperatures in Chicago. That game plan is something the Lions can use to their advantage after allowing 147 yards on 13 carries and two touchdowns from Fields last time.

Meanwhile, the Lions’ offense puts up far superior numbers at home. Jared Goff has 20 TDs to 3 INTs at Ford Field, compared to a 6:4 ratio away from Detroit. They also average a full yard more per attempt on the ground at home compared to their road numbers.

I could have taken either San Francisco or Philadelphia this week, but given the uncertainty of Jalen Hurts’ availability, as well as the likely desire to take the 49ers fighting for playoff seeding against a broken Arizona Cardinals team at home in Week 18, I’ll hold my nose and take the Lions to get it done. – Ben Heisler

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Yes, Detroit needs this game to stay in the NFC Wild Card race and that sometimes leads to inflated spreads, but we just need an outright win and I like the Lions to bounce back in this game against a Bears team that is 29th in EPA/Play since Week 10, when the Lions rallied to stun the Bears and start their hot streak.

While the Lions are 25th in that same time span on defense, the difference on offense is apparent. Including that Week 10 matchup against Chicago, the Lions are second in EPA/Play during this recent heater while the Bears are 25th in that metric.

Chicago is quietly live for the No. 1 pick this spring and has zero incentive to win. Lions roar back at home and keep their playoff hopes alive. – Reed Wallach

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