NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 2: Advice and Predictions

by Spencer Toth - 9/12/2023

NFL survivor pool picks Week 2 Josh Allen Buffalo Bills

A wild Week 1 is in the books. The NFL never disappoints, as there was plenty of action on the opening slate. Favorites went just 8-8 straight up and 6-10 ATS, causing a few survivor pools to end early. Three of the five largest favorites lost outright, as the Chiefs (-6.5), Vikings (-6), and Seahawks (-5) didn’t get the job done in Week 1. Fortunately for us, our top 3 plays were the Ravens, Commanders, and Jaguars, who all won with ease. In the early stages of the season, staying alive is not the only goal in a survivor pool, as managing which teams you are using can set yourself up for late season success. With that in mind, here are the survivor pool picks for Week 2, from strongest to weakest.

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Buffalo Bills (-9) Over Las Vegas Raiders

The Bills return home with their tail between their legs, after losing in embarrassing fashion to the Jets in Week 1. However, they are a solid play in Week 2 to take care of business against the Raiders. Josh Allen had the worst game of his career and will surely bounce back against one of the worst defenses in the league. The Bills have a massive defensive edge over the Raiders. And while Jimmy Garoppolo had a winning start to his Raiders career, Allen rebounds with a solid win in Week 2. The Bills are one of the top dogs in the league. However, with many of the weaker teams squaring off against each other, I’ll use the Bills up early.

Dallas Cowboys (-8.5) Over New York Jets

Both these teams won in Week 1 but have very different season outlooks in Week 2. The Cowboys dominated their division rival Giants 40-0 on Sunday Night Football. And while the Jets won 22-16 against the Bills, they lost Aaron Rodgers in the process. In a battle between two rock solid defenses, Dak Prescott and the Cowboys offense will be the difference maker. AT&T Stadium will be bouncing for their home opener, as the Cowboys are one of my top survivor plays of the week.

New York Giants (-4) Over Arizona Cardinals

If you’re looking to use a lower tier team, the Giants are the way to go. The Cardinals almost squeaked out a victory against the Commanders in Week 1, thanks to key mistakes from the Commanders offense. The same cannot be said for the Giants, as they got walloped by the Cowboys from whistle to whistle. Daniel Jones made several key mistakes, but he won’t be punished against the Cardinals. There is no doubt that the Cardinals have the worst quarterback in the league with Joshua Dobbs, and almost every aspect of their supporting cast isn’t too far behind. The Giants aren’t great, but they’re still head and shoulders better than Arizona.

Thursday Night: Philadelphia Eagles (-7) Over Minnesota Vikings

The Eagles have their first primetime slot of the season on Thursday night and will look to pile misery on the Vikings season. Primetime contests can be frightening to bet on, but the Eagles are far superior to the Vikings. The offensive and defensive line advantages will allow Hurts to stay in the pocket, while Cousins will be chased down early and often. The 7-point spread is daunting, but the Eagles will undoubtedly get the outright win.

Detroit Lions (-6) Over Seattle Seahawks

These Seahawks still have plenty to prove with Geno Smith at quarterback, and an 0-2 start is staring them in the face after getting blown out by the Rams in Week 1. A solid defense will only get them so far if Smith can’t find his CBPOY form once again, Seattle will be in for a long season. On the other hand, the Lions edged out the Chiefs in the season opener, as Jared Goff is starting to seriously look like the former 1st overall pick he was. Dan Campbell has been patient in developing a winning mentality in Detroit, and Ford Field will be the loudest it has been in years after the Lions start 2-0 for the first time since 2017.

LA Chargers (-3) Over Tennessee Titans

The Chargers pass defense may have cost them in Week 1, but that won’t be the case against the Titans. Justin Herbert and the offense scored 34 points without turning the ball over, but it wasn’t enough to get the Week 1 victory. Tua Tagovailoa and Ryan Tannehill are not in the same weight class. And if Herbert can put together another solid showing, the Chargers will get the win. The Titans narrowly lost to the Saints in Week 1 and will be unable to take advantage of the Chargers defensive holes, as their game centers around RB Derrick Henry.

San Francisco 49ers (-8) Over LA Rams

Don’t pick the 49ers this week, plain and simple. They are one of the top teams in the league. And while they will likely get it done against the Rams, this is not the week to use them. A road divisional game is a recipe for disaster, especially since the Rams are flying high after taking down the Seahawks as 5-point underdogs. In Week 1, the 49ers dominated the Steelers on both sides of the ball and possess a far superior lineup to the Rams. However, this has all the makings for a season ruining upset, which is why they are so low on the list in Week 2.

Kansas City Chiefs (-3) Over Jacksonville Jaguars

The Kansas City Chiefs haven’t started 0-2 since 2014, and Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid will not let that happen this year. The Chiefs may not have won in Week 1, but a late Travis Kelce injury left them handcuffed on offense. Regardless of whether or not Kelce is ready to suit up in Week 2, the Chiefs have had ample time to develop a game plan without him. If Kadarius Toney had made a few more easy catches, the Chiefs would have won and this line would be at almost a touchdown. The Jaguars have shown they are no longer a pushover, but the Chiefs will remind the league they aren’t done just yet with a statement victory.

Sunday Night: Miami Dolphins (-2.5) Over New England Patriots

The Dolphins went into LA as 3-point underdogs, put on a show and left with a victory in Week 1. This week, they are only 2.5-point favorites, but the gulf in class between the Chargers and the Patriots is much larger than 5.5 points. Tua Tagovailoa is not in the same stratosphere as Mac Jones. And while the Patriots always play tough football, the Dolphins are simply too good to lose on Sunday Night Football. The Patriots made the scoreline respectable against the Eagles in Week 1, but do not have the offense to keep up with the Dolphins. This one starts slow. But once the Dolphins pull away, it is game over for Bill Belichick and the Pats.

Atlanta Falcons (+1.5) Over Green Bay Packers

The Falcons have decided that they will run Bijan Robinson into the ground. And who can blame them? They are ready to show off their shiny new toy, and a powerful run game will allow them to win as slight underdogs in Week 2. Jordan Love may have been able to take advantage of a lost Bears team, but the same cannot be said for the Falcons. This team is on a mission and has a solid defense to compensate for their lack of a QB1. The Packers need to beat up on a quality opponent before they can be expected to consistently win on the road.

Monday Night: New Orleans Saints (-3) Over Carolina Panthers

The Saints finally have a solid man at quarterback with Derek Carr to complement their sturdy defense. Their Week 1 victory over the Titans wasn’t pretty, but the experience at signal caller allowed them to start off with a win. Alvin Kamara is still on the shelf to start the year, but the Panthers haven’t built a team to support Bryce Young. The top pick from last year’s draft looked good in his debut but will find himself with an 0-2 record to start his NFL career.

Washington Commanders (+3.5) Over Denver Broncos

In a battle of two strong defenses, I expect the Commanders to get it done on the road. The Denver Broncos lost to the lowly Raiders in Week 1, and just cannot buy a victory. Russell Wilson looks nothing like his Seahawks self, and one of the best defensive lines in the NFL will be eager to take advantage of his indecision. A few costly turnovers is the only reason the Cardinals scored 16 points against Washington, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see neither team eclipse 20 points in this matchup.

Baltimore Ravens (+3.5) Over Cincinnati Bengals

The Ravens easily swatted aside the Houston Texans in Week 1, but the injury to J.K. Dobbins leaves them with a shallow backfield. However, with Lamar Jackson at signal caller, they will still be able to run a solid offense, and edge out the Bengals to improve to 2-0. Joe Burrow’s offensive line left him helpless in Week 1, as the Bengals are once again getting off to a slow start. The Ravens have a better defense, and a more versatile offense, which will allow them to take the lead in the AFC North.

Houston Texans (+1) Over Indianapolis Colts

There is no doubt that the Colts franchise is in good hands with Anthony Richardson, but it will still not lead to many wins this season. The Texans had their moments in the 25-9 loss against the Ravens and look as though they may be the runner up in the AFC South. C.J. Stroud still has plenty of growing to do, and this matchup between two budding stars may be more thrilling than expected. It is unlikely we pull the trigger with the Texans all season. So, if you are desperate to include them, now would be the time to do so.

Monday Night: Cleveland Browns (-2) Over Pittsburgh Steelers

The Browns shut down the Bengals in Week 1 and are looking to make two straight divisional victories to start the season. On the other hand, the Steelers were dominated by the 49ers from start to finish and could quite possibly have the worst offense in the league. It’s alarming that the Browns are only 2-point favorites, as the bookies clearly think this one will go down to the wire. I can’t disagree as the Steelers are unlikely to get blown out twice in a row; that’s just not how Mike Tomlin is built.

Chicago Bears (+3) Over Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Just stay away from this one. While I do expect the Bears to pull it out, there is no reason to mess around with them in Week 2. The Buccaneers may have taken advantage of a lifeless Vikings squad, but they are still near the bottom of the league for me. There are much better options on the board, as we never really know what we’ll get from Justin Fields on a daily basis.
Survivor Play of the Week: Buffalo Bills Over the Las Vegas Raiders

Teams Used: Washington Commanders

Status: Alive
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