Six Circa Sports Survivor contestants survived the two-period Week 17 and head into the final week of the regular season with a chance to win an $18.17-million prize pool.
Key Takeaways
- The implied value per entry is over $3 million heading into a challenging final week.
- The Buccaneers were the lone costly team in the second portion of Week 17.
- Remaining entries rode the Patriots, Bengals, and Giants.
The contest, with a $1,000 entry fee, has been whittled down from a record 18,176 entries in Week 1. Contestants pick one team in the NFL to win each week, and if they survive, they can no longer select that team throughout the remainder of the contest.
The implied value of the remaining six entries is over $3.1 million, which is what each contestant will get if they all tie in Week 18, unless there’s a chopped-pot agreement already in place. If there are eliminations, the remaining entries will share the prize pool.
Competing for the largest prize pool since Circa Survivor began in 2020, remaining participants will have some tough decisions to make. With some teams having locked up playoff spots or seeding, and others playing for nothing, some starters are expected to miss games, making Week 18 one of the hardest to predict.
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Staying alive
The Buccaneers were the only costly team Sunday, as their 20-17 upset loss to the Dolphins knocked out three entries. Those participants were riding a Tampa Bay team that desperately needed a win in its battle with the Carolina Panthers for the NFC South.
#CircaSurvivor 2025
— Circa Sports (@CircaSports) December 28, 2025
✅ 1 Giants entry advances to week 18, joining 5 other entries who survived today. Buckle up for a wild week 18! https://t.co/2qWqiVjkfr
One of the top teams in the league this year was still available for three contestants, who enjoyed the Patriots sailing past the Jets 42-10 to easily send them into final week. Two more entries survived on the Bengals’ 34-17 win over the Cardinals.
One entry had the Giants, a two-win team coming into Week 17, but the 3-point favorites over the Raiders gave the contestant a no-sweat 34-10 victory in a late Sunday afternoon game.
#CircaSurvivor 2025🏈🏆Week 17b Selections
— Circa Sports (@CircaSports) December 28, 2025
📄https://t.co/Lg4nb6xYN6 pic.twitter.com/Jh3ayJpush
Christmas miracle
Ten entries made it out of Week 16 and into the 17a portion of the contest, which consisted of the three Christmas Day games. Just one participant was eliminated last Thursday when the Commanders lost to the Cowboys.
However, the contestant hedged that pick with a $1.18-million wager on the Cowboys moneyline, according to Circa Sports CEO and owner Derek Stevens. Dallas won 30-23, cashing that big bet but ending the participant’s chance at the massive prize pool.
Circa Survivor News: 10 minutes ago @CircaSports took a $1,181,000 wager on the Cowboys as a hedge to their Circa Survivor entree.
— Derek Stevens (@DerekJStevens) December 25, 2025
We are looking for Commander buyback. Currently at +370 #MerryChristmas
Five entries were sweating out the Cowboys, while four picks were in on the Vikings despite them being touchdown underdogs at home against the Lions. With Detroit needing a win to stay in playoff contention, Minnesota pulled off the 23-10 upset behind a string of Lions turnovers.
Week 17a #CircaSurvivor 🏈🏆Results
— Circa Sports (@CircaSports) December 26, 2025
❌1 entry eliminated
✅9 entries survive to week 17b
📄https://t.co/sq0f66Xq4a pic.twitter.com/FGhdwMUC40
