We are really, really deep into the NFL survivor pool season, so we are going to do something a little different this week in our look at what picks to make to keep on surviving. Lately we have been looking at teams that may not have been picked yet that would be comfortable picks - and the Giants at home against the Redskins would certainly qualify on that front this week. Instead, this week we are going to look at spots in which you might want to gamble. You will be on an underdog, and it could very easily go wrong for you, but if you are right good things will happen for you - and you will have plenty of bragging rights as well. Sometimes all you can do is gamble at this point in the season. Here are three potential gambling spots that stand out:

San Diego Chargers vs. Denver Broncos: The Broncos are favored on the road in this one , and since they are the Broncos they will draw an overwhelming amount of the attention from bettors and the general public. Win or lose, San Diego isn't likely to catch the Broncos for the division win. They are in a good position for the wild card, though, and their last two games at San Francisco and Kansas City aren't as intimidating as they looked a month or two ago. They will be motivated for a win here. They also won at Denver late last year, so they won't be intimidated by what they are being asked to do. That isn't why I would consider taking the Chargers, though. It's all about Peyton Manning. Manning, simply, isn't right. His performance has been far from sharp lately, and the team obviously is protecting him and adjusting their gameplan to overcome his issues. San Diego's defense is more than solid, and it has shown some really good form at times lately. Tom Brady certainly has looked more comfortable at times than he did last week. Philip Rivers is capable of putting some points up, and the defense can keep the Chargers in this one. Denver is still a legitimate favorite, but a win by the Chargers wouldn't be nearly as shocking as it would be portrayed to be in the media.

Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions: Detroit has a huge opportunity here. One of the two teams atop the NFC East will lose and fall to 9-5 because Philadelphia and Dallas play each other. With a win, then, Detroit would be 10-4 and well positioned in the wild-card hunt. They are at home and playing well, and should be in a good position here. As much as I like this team, though, I find it hard to trust them. They have played a weak schedule and have lost to two of the three best teams they have faced. Their offense has been strong the last two weeks, but it has been against hopeless opponents - Chicago and Tampa Bay. Minnesota is far from a great team, but there is one thing going for them that the Lions certainly can't claim - they always play at full effort to maximize their chances. They don't have much going for them, but they always get the most out of what they have. They are a lousy offense, but the defense is sound - especially against the pass. If the Vikings can cause the bad Lions offense to reappear then they could make things interesting.

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots: The Dolphins are one of those teams that make you like them, but just when you think they are about to fall in love they do something stunning and you realize you aren't ready to commit just yet. Last week they looked to be in a good spot - at home against a Ravens team just wrecked by injuries. A win and the Dolphins would be 8-5 and in the heart of the wild-card race - with very winnable games against Minnesota and the Jets to close out the season. They just didn't show up for the game. It was ugly. Now they are really up against it. They could still have a shot if they win out, though. New England is obviously the much better all-round team, and they are very tough at home. The biggest reason they could be vulnerable, though, could be themselves more than the Dolphins. It has been a very tough stretch of games for the Pats - their last five games have been home wins against Denver and Detroit, tough road wins at San Diego and Indianapolis, and a hard-fought loss at Green Bay. They could be mentally strained at this point. They are one win away from absolutely locking up their division - though taking it is already a foregone conclusion - and with the Jets and Bills still on the schedule they won't be too stressed about winning it. Getting a first-round bye is only slightly less stressful at this point. If this team is going to give themselves a mental break and take a week off at any point then this is going to be it - and the Dolphins could benefit.

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