NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 10: Advice and Predictions

by Spencer Toth - 11/7/2023

NFL survivor pool picks Week 10 Dak Prescott Dallas Cowboys

We’re halfway there. With just 9 weeks to go in the NFL season, we’ve officially reached the halfway point with 9 weeks in the rearview mirror. If you are still alive, which you should be if you’ve been following this column, the job is not done yet. However, with the number of surviving teams dwindling, we’re in a great position to take home a large chunk of change at the season’s end. Last week, we selected the Saints to get the job done against the Bears. And while it was a sweatier watch than expected, we survived another week. The Falcons lost outright as 5-point favorites, which was the heaviest favorite to fall. However, with the Browns (-8), Saints (-7.5), and Ravens (-6) all taking care of business, it was a relatively uneventful Week 9 for survivor pools. Here are the Week 10 picks, ranked from most to least confident.

Doc’s Sports offers NFL picks for every game on our NFL predictions page.

Dallas Cowboys (-16.5) Over New York Giants

The biggest spread of the season should tell you all you need to know about this matchup. The Giants are coming off a blowout loss to the Raiders, where they lost Daniel Jones for the season in the process. They haven’t scored 17+ points since Week 2, and a hungry Cowboys defense will be eager to shut the door on them once again, just like in their 40-0 Week 1 victory. Dallas has their flaws, but they are more than capable enough to take care of the Giants at home. It’s not a bold one, but the Cowboys will be my Week 10 survivor pool pick.

Buffalo Bills (-7.5) Over Denver Broncos

The Bills haven’t been their usual selves in recent weeks. And while a loss to the Bengals can be forgiven, if they slip up against the Broncos, that could spell the end of their season. Denver finally beat the Chiefs in Week 8 before heading into their Week 9 bye. They’ll have plenty of rest, but it still won’t be enough to slow down a motivated Bills team. With a tough schedule to finish off the year, the Bills are a solid look if you already selected the Cowboys in a previous week.

Baltimore Ravens (-6) Over Cleveland Browns

The Browns have been playing solid football over recent weeks. However, after their 28-3 drubbing at the hands of their division rivals earlier this season, it’s difficult to imagine them upsetting the Ravens on the road. Baltimore’s elite defense has been playing complementary football with their former MVP Lamar Jackson, and they will be able to extend their winning streak to 5 with another win over Cleveland.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) Over Green Bay Packers

The Steelers are another great pick in Week 10 if you’re looking to root for a Dallas loss to wipe out many of your opponents. The Steelers always bring a tough style of football onto the field, and the Packers don’t have the mettle to keep up. After getting off to a hot start, Jordan Love has been abysmal since Week 3, and it will take more than a win over the Stafford-less Rams to convince me otherwise. The Steelers have no business being in a Wild Card position, but these are the types of games Mike Tomlin has won so many times over his storied career. A solid Week 10 survivor pool pick.

Indianapolis Colts (-1.5) Over New England Patriots

The Colts have scored 20+ points in every game this season, while the Patriots have done so just twice. The Colts defense may not be winning them games, but a poor Patriots offense will be unable to make this one interesting against Gardner Minshew in Germany. The Colts may only be 1.5-point favorites, but they are deserving of your survivor pool life against the free falling Patriots.

Cincinnati Bengals (-7) Over Houston Texans

This one is rather low on my list, as it feels like exactly the type of game where the Bengals will slip up. I still expect them to win, but it is very hard to confidently bet against CJ Stroud during his historic rookie campaign. He’s been able to pick apart weak defenses. However, against a hardened Super Bowl caliber team, he will be unable to find the same level of success. There’s always a chance for an upset in the NFL, but the Bengals will do just enough to oust their AFC wild card opponents.

Detroit Lions (-1.5) Over LA Chargers

The Lions rebounded nicely from their blowout loss at the hands of the Ravens, and are the much more complete team heading into their Week 10 trip to LA. The Chargers have been unable to capitalize on Herbert’s exceptional play, and a woeful defense will once again be their demise. Jared Goff will play smart football, take what the defense gives him, and not force the ball down field in what will be a very calculated Lions victory.

Seattle Seahawks (-6) Over Washington Commanders

You never know what you’re going to get out of this Commanders team, but one thing remains consistent; their offensive line struggles. Seattle ranks in the Top 10 for sacks in the league, and Washington is 0-3 with a combined score of 119-68 against other top 10 defenses in sacks. They always have the chance for an upset, but a deadly Seattle pass rush will mitigate any mistakes the Seahawks offense may make. Washington has had many upsets in recent years, but this won’t be one of them.

Minnesota Vikings (+2.5) Over New Orleans Saints

The Vikings season appeared to be over when Kirk Cousins went down with a season ending injury, but up stepped Joshua Dobbs, who was exceptional in their Week 9 win. The Saints offense cannot be trusted to consistently put points on the board, and a trip to Minnesota will result in them dropping back down to .500. Minnesota is a good contrarian pick in Week 10.

New York Jets (-2) Over Las Vegas Raiders

The Jets are road favorites for the second time this season, as they are expected to rain on the parade in Las Vegas. A new head coach may have put a bandaid over the bullet holes in Las Vegas, but the Raiders are still far from being a competitive unit. Zach Wilson won’t be making headlines, but betting on a stingy Jets defense is usually a safe bet, and the Raiders will get hit with a tough dose of reality against the Jets.

Atlanta Falcons (-1) Over Arizona Cardinals

Kyler Murray is expected to make his season debut for Arizona, but it will not instantly translate to success. The Falcons know how to run the ball and grind teams down over the span of 4 quarters. Taylor Heinicke will not be eager to throw this starting opportunity away. And while a rejuvenated Cardinals home crowd may be a wild card, Arizona is simply inferior to the Falcons in so many aspects. There will be some Murray magic, but not enough for a Cardinals victory.

San Francisco 49ers (-3) Over Jacksonville Jaguars

The 49ers have had a week to lick their wounds after dropping 3 straight to fall to 5-3, and I expect them to come out with vengeance in Week 10. There is no reason to waste a 49ers selection against quality opposition like the Jaguars, but that doesn’t mean they won’t get it done. Brock Purdy will strut the stuff we got used to seeing from him. And with a few key names coming off the IR, and an injection of Chase Young into the defensive line, the 49ers will get back in the win column with a victory over Jacksonville.

Tennessee Titans (+1) Over Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Baker Mayfield masterclass in Tampa Bay appears to be coming to an end. After starting the year 3-1, the Buccaneers have dropped 4 in a row to slide down the standings. While the Titans are certainly not the best team in the league, they have the belief they can qualify for the playoffs, something that appears to have vanished in Tampa Bay. It won’t be a pretty game to watch, but the Titans should get the job done.

Carolina Panthers (+3.5) Over Chicago Bears

If you are selecting the Bears or Panthers in a survivor pool, it may be time to find a new hobby. Both of these teams cannot be trusted. And in a primetime matchup, I can’t get further away from this matchup. The Panthers may still have some joy leftover from their lone win of the season 11 days before this game, as Bryce Young will be eager to match CJ Stroud’s exemplary campaign on national television.

Survivor Pool Pick of the Week: Dallas Cowboys Over New York Giants

Teams Used: Washington Commanders, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, LA Rams, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints

Status: Alive

Get NFL picks on every single game, or if you want our very best bet premium picks by the experts, sign up for your free $60 account with a guarantee.

Start:	December 5, 2024 @ 8:15 PM
Expert:	Vernon Croy
Free $60 Account Sign Up

NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 10: Advice and Predictions

Most Recent NFL Survivor Pool Picks