3) It didn't screw Cirie out of the win. Amanda had 3 votes locked, Parv had Nat and Alexis.
Alexis wanted Cirie to win. She said it in Ponderosa.

Eliza - CIRIE
Ozzy - AMANADA
Jason - CIRIE - he knew she played the game
James - AMANDA
Alexis - CIRIE
Natalie - PARVATI

It all comes down to Erik, and he votes for Amanda or Cirie. Leaning towards Amanda, but he could have easily been convinced by Cirie in front of the jury.