Blackjack hits another Pickem' win TaylorSwiftisaRAIDERFan jumped out to an early lead in week 17 after a solid Christmas performance, going 3-0 and earning 37 points in the process (and maybe spawning a new trophy). Despite dropping a Saturday matchup and a couple early Sunday picks, he still held the Confidence lead heading into MNF with 9 points riding on the Rams. Unfortunately for TaylorSwiftisaRAIDERFan, Mabrwon and Blackjack both wisely decided to roll the dice on the Dirty Birds and swap their picks on Monday. The gamble paid off for Mabrown whose 13 remaining points were enough to catapult him into the top spot and he won the week 17 Confidence contest with a total of 112 points. Blackjack jumped up 16 points with the Falcons win to claim the second-place spot.

Blackjack and Mabrown were the only two players to finish the week with 13 correct picks (thanks in large part to their MNF flip-flop and the Lambs fail). Both players lost with the Lions on Christmas, but then were able to sprinkle just two other losses around the week thanks to some clutch picks on the Ravens, Steelers, or Dolphins. In the end, Blackjack guessed the exact right score for the Falcons winning total to take the week 17 Pickem' win on the first tie-breaker.

There were a few big upsets this week, but only two players (including the Pickem' winner) lost lives in the Surivor contest, both to the Steelers. Eight players advanced to the final week of the competition by winning with the Bengals, while another three used the Cowboys, Jags, and Patriots to stay alive. Dawgman is now one win away from a perfect season and securing the UPsP XV Survivor crown.