NFL Eliminator Challenge: Week 17

Welcome to Week 17, the final 2020 installment of our NFL Eliminator Challenge series. Last week 24% of ESPN Eliminator teams picked the Browns to beat the Jets, a game that became the upset of the week.  However, after being burned by the Jets two weeks ago, we went a different route with Baltimore, Kansas City and Chicago, a strategy that led us to a perfect 3-0 Sunday.  Time to finish strong!  Feel free to comment at the bottom or hit me up on twitter!

Step 1 – Avoid Division Matchups

Welcome to Week 17, where every game is a division matchup.  Get some popcorn and let’s move to Step 2!

Step 2 – Avoid Marquee Matchups

While we had a lot of prime time games last week, we didn’t have a lot of thrillers. However, you only need one.  In Las Vegas, the Dolphins pulled off another December miracle with what Mahomes himself called one of the greatest no look passes in the NFL history.  That being said, the downside of Week 17 is no Thursday or Monday night games.  With only one prime time matchup, I’d avoid it:

• Washington Football Team @ Philadelphia Eagles

Step 3 – Avoid Picking Against Home Field Advantage

While there weren’t a ton of home team upsets last week, we did have one big one.  Yes, the Browns were basically missing their entire WR core, but the wide receiver room isn’t who gave up 23 points to a one win Jets team.  For the final week, I’m still going to play it safe and avoid the below games where the favorite is the away team:

• Baltimore Ravens @ Cincinnati Bengals
• Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns
• Minnesota Vikings @ Detroit Lions
• Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants
• New Orleans Saints @ Carolina Panthers
• Tennessee Titans @ Houston Texans

Step 4 – Make your pick!

My pick of the week is:

• Indianapolis Colts over the Jacksonville Jaguars

The Colts are fighting for their playoff lives and the Jaguars have already locked up the first overall pick in the upcoming NFL draft.  Needless to say, one team needs this game and the other doesn’t.  Considering it’s being played in Indy I’m predicting a blowout.

Another option I like this week:

•  New England Patriots over the New York Jets

Yes, the Jets are on a winning streak, and while the Patriots have been very up and down this season, I just don’t see this one ending in Adam Gase’s favor.

Rule breaker pick of the week:

• Baltimore Ravens over the Cincinnati Bengals

While Baltimore is the away team in this one, they have been on fire as of late, winning four straight.  All they have to do is win and make the playoffs and I don’t see the Bengals being the one to stand in their way.

Last Week Record = 3-0

Season Record = 36-11

Follow me on twitter and let me know what you think of this week’s picks @DE_aaron!

https://twitter.com/DE_aaron

Thanks for reading, see you all in 2021!