3. Andy Rueda
This one is the most difficult to rank because it is hard to determine how the jury sees him. For many, he is the guy who melted down on day three, and others carry the picture of him having no idea how to play the game in the early stages.
Andy has figured it out as the game progressed if some of his early game issues weren't an act. He's been the key vote in three blindsides, two of which are post-merge. Does the jury look at him as a bumbler who just flipped on his alliances because that was how the wind was blowing or will they recognize the fact he knew what he was doing each time?
He's also been persuasive when he's needed to. He might just convince a jury that he was playing a deliberate game, especially since the merge. He still might have a tough time overcoming the perceptions of the jury if he's sitting next to Genevieve or Rachel. Whether the other players know it or not, Andy is this season's villain, and no one should discount him in the finale.
2. Genevieve Mushaluk
Genevieve has played a pretty tight game, outside of letting an old grudge rule her emotions and actions regarding Sol Yi. She's been involved in some of the biggest decisions in the game since the merge.
The jury knows all of this since most of them have considered her one of the biggest threats at some point in the game. If she makes it to the final three, that will be quite an accomplishment. To survive on a season where the biggest targets were taken out, yet make it to the end as one of those big threats is the stuff of Survivor legends.
She will most likely win unless she is sitting next to the last person left on this list. Andy could possibly persuade the jury to ignore their admiration of her game and look at his contributions to the game, but it would be an incredible feat if he pulled that off.
1. Rachel LaMont
It seems impossible that Rachel will not make it to the final four, at least. She has the Steal-a-Vote advantage, good for the next vote, which she will certainly play, and an idol. You can see a scenario where she plays her advantage and feels safe enough to pocket the idol for one more vote but is still taken out if everyone lines up against her.
That would be a big misstep on her part, and she's not made many. Her most significant mistake to date is not suspecting Andy was going to flip his vote at the most recent tribal council. She even soothed over worries that Andy might flip with other alliance members and get burned for it.
It is hard to see a scenario where she makes it to the final three but doesn't win. She's played extremely well, both socially and strategically. She's won immunity and found an idol that she's kept a secret. She's played the best overall game, and if she makes it to the end, she'll be hard to beat.
Survivor 47 has been the best of the post-COVID seasons and it has flown by. The finale should be a lot of fun to watch. The winner will be declared this week. Who will it be?