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NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 13: Advice and Predictions

by Sean Barnard - 11/30/2022

NFL survivor pool picks Week 13 Jordan Love Green Bay Packers

Favorites went 11-5 on the moneyline but just 7-8-1 against the spread in Week 12. It was an eventful stretch of football that included three Thanksgiving games and several matchups on Sunday that went down to the wire. Many teams are in the process of clinching a playoff berth as the home stretch of the season has arrived. The Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers will each be on their bye week, taking them away from your options to pick. Choosing a winner continues to get more difficult, and here are the best choices for your survivor pool picks are ranked below from strongest to weakest.

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Sunday Night: Dallas Cowboys (-11) over Indianapolis Colts

The Cowboys sit at 8-3 on the season and are still chasing the Eagles for the top spot in the NFC East. They have a terrific chance to continue their two-game winning streak against a 4-7-1 Colts team. Matt Ryan is throwing the second-most interceptions in the league (11) while being sacked the fifth most times (32). This is not good news against a Cowboys defense that is leading the NFL with 45 sacks. These two teams are trending in opposite directions, and expect the Cowboys to continue adding to their postseason resume with a convincing win.

Baltimore Ravens (-8) over Denver Broncos

The 7-4 Ravens are coming off a heartbreaking 28-27 loss to the Jaguars but have played some solid football this season. They will be facing off against a Broncos team that is averaging the fewest points per game of any offense since the 2000 Browns at 14.27 points per game. While their impressive defense has kept them in games, Russell Wilson and the offense has just not done enough to build any confidence. Expect Baltimore to be hungry coming off the loss and get back in the win column in front of their home crowd.

Atlanta Falcons (PK) over Pittsburgh Steelers

The Falcons are sneakily still in the playoff hunt as they hold a record of 5-7 and are just a half game behind the Buccaneers at 5-6. While they tallied just 165 yards of total offense in last week’s loss to the Commanders, Atlanta has had better stretches throughout the season. Look for the Falcons to bounce back against a Steelers team that ranks 28th in the NFL in scoring by averaging 17.6 points per game. Pittsburgh is also allowing 23.7 points per game, which ranks 24th. Take the Falcons to get a bounce back win in front of their home crowd.

Seattle Seahawks (-7) over Los Angeles Rams

The Seahawks 28th-ranked scoring defense will face off with a Rams offense, which ranks 29th in scoring on the season, giving this the potential to be a snooze fest. Matt Stafford missed last week’s game with a concussion and does not look likely to return this week. Seattle is still in the mix for the postseason and will be hungry for a victory in this one. Count on Geno Smith to lead the team to 7-5 after their frustrating overtime loss to the Raiders last week.

Detroit Lions (+1) over Jacksonville Jaguars

The Lions are a better team than their 4-7 record would indicate and are coming off a gritty 28-25 loss to the Bills on Thanksgiving. Detroit had a three-game winning streak before this and ranks 8th in the NFL in scoring. The Jaguars come in with a 4-7 record and have been one of the more unpredictable teams around the NFL this season. Jacksonville is 0-9 against the spread in their last nine games against NFC opponents, while the Lions are 8-2 against the spread in their last 10 home games. Count on the Lions to get back in the win column and play like the better team that they are.

Monday Night: Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3.5) over New Orleans Saints

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are leading the race for the NFC South with a record of 5-6 but still have plenty of work to do to secure their postseason spot. While the Saints have had some positive flashes, they have the worst turnover margin in the NFL and rank in the bottom 10 in points scored and yards allowed. Tampa Bay has struggled offensively, ranking 27th in scoring and 18th in yards, but their defense has cracked the top 10 in both yards and points allowed. It is tough to bet against Tom Brady in primetime. And with the postseason inching closer, look for him to begin to put the pieces together. Take the Buccaneers to get the win in this one.

Washington Commanders (-2.5) over New York Giants

After a strong start to the season, the Giants have lost three of their last four and sit at 7-4 on the season. In contrast, the Commanders look to just be hitting their stride and have won six of their last seven to move to 7-5 on the season. Washington has looked like a different team since Taylor Heinicke took the starting role. If the NFL season ended today, all four of the NFC East teams would be in the playoffs, so both sides still have plenty to play for. Expect both teams to continue trending in the direction they are heading and for the Commanders to get the victory in this one.

Cleveland Browns (-7) over Houston Texans

In one of the more notable matchups across the NFL this year, Deshaun Watson is set to make his return to the football field for the first time since 2020. He will be facing off with his former team in Houston, who are having a disappointing 1-9-1 season thus far. While the Texans have had little signs of life this season, this one may hold a little extra meaning considering the history with Watson. It also should be expected that it takes some time for the quarterback to shake off some rust considering he has not played in nearly two seasons. Expect this one to remain closer than most expect but for the Browns to still get the win.

Thursday Night: Buffalo Bills (-5) over New England Patriots

This is a rare Thursday Night matchup in which the teams will have a full week of rest as both sides played during Thanksgiving. Both teams still have plenty to play for as the Bills are tied with the Dolphins at 8-3 for leading the AFC East, while the Patriots sit at 6-5 and in the playoff mix. Buffalo ranks 2nd in the NFL in scoring, while New England is allowing the 6th fewest points and 4th fewest yards per game. The Bills are 12-3 straight up in their last 15 games against AFC East opponents, and their defense is beginning to get healthier. Count on the Bills to get a win, although this Patriots team should not be overlooked. 

San Francisco 49ers (-4) over Miami Dolphins

This is set to be a measuring stick matchup for both sides, as each team has played themselves into the Super Bowl contending category. Miami sits at 8-3 on the year and has scored over 30 points in four straight games. They will face a difficult challenge against a 49ers defense that is giving up the fewest points and yards allowed in the NFL. San Francisco most recently took down the Saints 13-0 and will be riding a four-game winning streak into this matchup. The addition of Christian McCaffrey has been notable, and the team is playing hungry. Look for the 49ers to make a statement and come out with a win.

Las Vegas Raiders (+2) over Los Angeles Chargers

The Chargers got the better of this matchup in Week 1 by taking down the Raiders, 24-19. Las Vegas has shown some signs of life of late and are riding a two-game winning streak, with both victories occurring in overtime. The Chargers have struggled to get stops this year, ranking 29th in opponents’ points scored and 26th in yards allowed. Expect this to be a high-scoring matchup but for the Raiders to get their revenge and inch closer to a respectable season.

Philadelphia Eagles (-5.5) over Tennessee Titans

The 10-1 Eagles have looked terrific this season and are coming off an impressive Sunday Night performance against the Packers but have a difficult matchup in this one. One of their few areas of weaknesses is their rushing defense, which will be put to the test against Derrick Henry. Tennessee ranks 2nd in the NFL in rush attempts and 3rd in rushing yards, which is especially concerning considering the recent injury to Chauncey Gardner-Johnson. While Jalen Hurts and the offense have been too good to doubt, this feels like a potential trap game if Philadelphia does not execute properly.

New York Jets (+3) over Minnesota Vikings

The Jets elected to bench Zach Wilson last week, and Mike White mania has now struck New York as a result. The 27-year-old threw for 315 yards and three touchdowns and led the team to a 31-10 victory. The Vikings will be a more difficult challenge as they sit at 9-2 on the season with a high-powered offense. However, the Jets rank 4th in the NFL in points allowed, and the defense has answered just about every challenge so far this season. Expect this to be a thriller but for the Jets defense to be the difference-maker and for Mike White to do just enough to get the win.

Cincinnati Bengals (+2.5) over Kansas City Chiefs

The Bengals have hit their stride of late, winning five of their last six matchups. They rank 5th in the NFL in scoring and 6th in yards on the season and have climbed back to 7-4 on the year. This matchup should bring up bad memories for the Chiefs, as the last time these two faced off Cincinnati stunned them in the AFC title game en route to the Super Bowl. Kansas City ranks dead last in the red zone defense and has allowed touchdowns on 70.59% of red zone trips this year. With Ja’Marr Chase looking to make his return, expect the Bengals offense to cause some issues and for this to open the door for the upset.

Chicago Bears (+3) over Green Bay Packers

There is too much uncertainty surrounding both the quarterbacks in this matchup. Aaron Rodgers left the Sunday Night matchup with an injury, which opened the door for Jordan Love to receive some snaps, and he looked solid. While Rodgers has said he wants to play if he is healthy, it would not be a major surprise if Green Bay shuts him down considering their 4-8 record. On the other hand, Justin Fields missed the previous matchup for Bears and has an uncertain status ahead of this week. The Packers won the first matchup between these two teams by a score of 27-10. While the Bears have been playing the better football of the two of late, this is one you should avoid until there is more clarity surrounding who will be under center.

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