NFL Survivor Pools Strategy Advice and Predictions: Week 3

by Trevor Whenham - 9/20/2016

All I can hope is that you didn't listen to a thing I said last week. I suggested that the clear and obvious pick was Seattle over the hapless Rams. That was, of course, a horrible suggestion. Now, I could pretend that I knew it all along and I was just testing you or that I was out to teach you a lesson about the challenges of Survivor Pools. If that was the case, though, then I wouldn't have picked Seattle in more than half of my own pools. I still have some that are alive, though - the other games we looked at all turned out okay - and there are always second-chance pools. So, let's pick ourselves up off the ground and get back at it:

Seattle vs. San Francisco: If you weren't burnt by the Seahawks last week then you could make an argument that they would be worth a look this time around. The Niners came back to earth a bit last week after a solid opening effort. They just aren't that good - especially offensively - and the Seahawks have been playing well without the ball. The Seahawks have had real issues scoring, and the offensive line has been brutal, but they are at home here against a bad team and should be angry. I don't like the pick myself much - once bitten, twice shy - but it could be worth a look. There are certainly worse options this week.

Dallas vs. Chicago: Chicago is just a walking dumpster fire. Their 'effort' on Monday night was as bad as a team can play in this league. And now Jay Cutler is lost for several weeks - though that could actually be a positive given how he is playing these days. They are just a bad team. Dallas finally showed that they can win with a backup QB, and they are playing pretty solid ball overall. They have done a solid job of running the ball, Dak Prescott has settled in nicely and looks comfortable, and the coaching situation gives us more confidence this far into the season than it has the last couple of years. They are a very good pick in this spot - one of two no-brainers on the board.

Miami vs. Cleveland: This is the other one that you don't have to spend too much time thinking about before making the play. This is the third game that the Browns have played, and this will be the third starting quarterback they have had. Cody Kessler is the lucky guy this time around. If you watched him in college at all then you know that he just isn't very good - or at least he doesn't have the poise and consistency that makes you feel like he is a pro with a future. Just a mess. Miami hasn't won yet, but they have played pretty well for a 0-2 team, and they are going to get some wins - starting here. I think I like Dallas a hair more than Miami this week, but it really doesn't matter - pick the one that makes more sense to you and then relax and enjoy your weekend without stress. Of course, that's what I thought last week when I picked Seattle, too.

Green Bay vs. Detroit: The Packers are favored by more than a touchdown, so they are going to be a fairly common pick this week. I don't like it. Green Bay has not looked great in either of their games so far, and they were thoroughly manhandled by Sam Bradford last week - something that no other team in the NFL has ever had to admit. Detroit has no shortage of issues, but they have a nice win and should have had another last week. Green Bay will probably win, but there are much better spots than this one.

Arizona at Buffalo: Buffalo isn't quite as much of a mess as Cleveland or Chicago, but they are very close. Their coaching situation is a disaster. They somehow blamed and fired offensive coordinator Greg Roman when it was clear that he was far from the one to blame - or at least far from the only one. They don't have a quarterback, they suddenly can't run the ball, and the defense is a shell of what it should be - and will continue to be so as long as the ridiculous Ryan twins are in charge. Arizona lost a tough one in the opener and came back very angry last week and was very dominant. They are far better here, and that's even if both teams were at full strength - which Buffalo obviously isn't.

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