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NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 8: Advice and Predictions

by Spencer Toth - 10/24/2023

NFL survivor pool picks Week 8 Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens

Another week down. We have completed 7 weeks and have 11 to go as we survive another week. The Seattle Seahawks made easy work in their 20-10 win over the Arizona Cardinals in Week 7, keeping our survival pool entry alive. The Buffalo Bills took the biggest upset as 7.5-point favorites. And while they were my top pick of the week, we had already used them in Week 2, and took the Seahawks instead. The 49ers also killed many survivor pool entries as 7-point favorites in their outright loss to the Vikings. However, it is now time to look at the plethora of solid options available in Week 8. Here are the top survivor pool picks, ranked from most to least confident for Week 8.

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Miami Dolphins (-9.5) Over New England Patriots

The Dolphins are the best bet to win outright in Week 8, as they will make easy work of their division rivals at home. Miami is coming off a loss, while the Patriots are coming off their second win of the season, but that doesn’t deter me. Their offense is simply too good for Mac Jones and the Patriots to keep pace with, and they are a very safe pick if you haven’t yet used the Dolphins this season.

Baltimore Ravens (-8.5) Over Arizona Cardinals

The Ravens will be my selection this week, as they don’t have many easy games left on their schedule and won’t be over a touchdown favorite again this season. Lamar Jackson is playing at an MVP caliber, and whoever is starting for the Cardinals at quarterback will not be able to match his efficiency. The Ravens have an MVP candidate at quarterback, an elite defense, and reliable coaching. There is no doubt they will win in Week 8, and I’ll be backing them with my life on the line.

Monday Night: Detroit Lions (-8) Over Las Vegas Raiders

The Lions took a beating at the hands of the Ravens in Week 7 but will look to bounce back in their primetime matchup against the Raiders. Neither Brian Hoyer nor Aidan O’Connell have done enough to warrant a start, but head coach Josh McDaniels has no choice but to throw one of them in for their Week 8 matchup. Jared Goff and the Lions will be eager to show they are still a threat to win the NFC and will not slip up in front of the nation against lowly Las Vegas.

Kansas City Chiefs (-8) Over Denver Broncos

While every streak eventually comes to an end, the Chiefs will be able to put up their 16th straight win over Denver in Week 8. The Broncos are an absolute dumpster fire, and a victory over the Packers won’t convince me otherwise. Patrick Mahomes turns up to another level whenever the Chiefs head over to Denver, and he’ll get the win in Week 8. Another safe pick in survivor pools, but I’d save the Chiefs for a future week, with several easy matchups still on tap for them this season.

Dallas Cowboys (-6.5) Over LA Rams

If this game was in LA, it might be a different story. However, at home, the Cowboys will swat aside the Rams in their quest for the NFC crown. Dak Prescott is far from perfect, but against a generous Rams defense he will not turn the ball over, which will be enough to get the win. The Rams have exceeded expectations this year, but their hype train will come to a halt after the Cowboys hand them their second straight loss.

Thursday Night: Buffalo Bills (-8.5) Over Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Bills are desperate for an easy matchup and could take out their recent frustrations against a Buccaneers team rolling into Buffalo at the wrong time. After narrowly beating the Giants in Week 6, and losing to the Patriots in Week 7, the Bills will come out with a fire lit beneath them and dominate the Buccaneers. The season won’t be over for the 3-3 Bucs, but they will find out they still have a long way to go before they can expect to make the playoffs in a post-Tom Brady era.

Philadelphia Eagles (-6.5) Over Washington Commanders

The Eagles domination in the trenches has carried them to a 6-1 record, and the Commanders will look helpless against their bigger and stronger division rivals. Sam Howell has been sacked 5.7 times per game this year, and a potent Eagles pass rush will take advantage of a vulnerable Commanders offensive line. When the Eagles have the ball, the Commanders will have no way to stop the infamous “Brotherly Shove,” and will badly lose the possession battle, and the game.

Sunday Night: LA Chargers (-8.5) Over Chicago Bears

I know the Chargers are squaring off against the lowly Bears, but I can’t justify putting them higher on this list after their recent showings. They’ve lost back-to-back games. And while Herbert is due for a rebound performance in primetime, it’s still too risky to trust LA at this stage of the season. Tyson Bagent looked solid in his first NFL start, and whoever is at signal caller for the Bears in Week 8 will be able to find some success against the Chargers’ lackluster defense.

Houston Texans (-3) Over Carolina Panthers

Fading the Panthers is always a good idea, and I was close to taking the Texans in Week 8 to save the Ravens for another week. In a battle between the top two picks from last year’s draft, CJ Stroud will be able to continue to prove he was the better pick, as the Texans extend the Panthers losing streak. It’s not all on Bryce Young, but the Panthers are still a long way from competing with most NFL squads.

New York Jets (-3) Over New York Giants

In the battle of New York, the Jets will keep themselves in touching distance of the postseason with a victory. The Giants have played two close games against the Bills and Commanders, and split the results, 1-1. However, they got fortunate on several plays, and the Jets will be able to walk away with the win. Zach Wilson has been surprisingly consistent at quarterback and will outduel Tyrod Taylor thanks to safe throws, and a solid defense backing him up.

Pittsburgh Steelers (+2.5) Over Jacksonville Jaguars

The Steelers are underdogs against the Jaguars but are still a solid bet to win this game. Their elite defense is able to compensate for any mistakes Kenny Pickett makes, and it was very concerning to see the Jaguars almost blow a two-touchdown lead against the flat Saints offense. In what should be a field position battle, put your trust in Mike Tomlin to come out on top when it matters most.

Atlanta Falcons (-2) Over Tennessee Titans 

The Falcons are heading to Tennessee with the chance to extend their lead atop the NFC South, and the Titans provide an easier task to do so than most. In the wake of Derrick Henry’s decline, the Titans once potent offense has lost its edge, and that has resulted in 17.3 PPG this season. The Falcons love to dominate possession of the ball and will do so once again in Tennessee. They won’t get many easier matchups than this, and are a bold, yet rewarding pick in Week 8.

Cleveland Browns (+3) Over Seattle Seahawks

A strong defense can carry a mediocre offense to the playoffs, and we are seeing that in Cleveland. The Browns own one of the best defenses in the league, but it was their offense that carried them to victory over the Colts in their Week 7 thriller. I don’t see them giving up boatloads of points once again, as they are a tough matchup for the technical Seahawks offense. Cleveland gets the outright victory.

Minnesota Vikings (-1) Over Green Bay Packers

The Vikings took down the 49ers in Week 7. And despite their rest disadvantage, they will be able to dispatch their division foes in Week 8. Captain Kirk Cousins is continuing to effectively lead their offense, despite the absence of Justin Jefferson. The same cannot be said for the Packers, as Jordan Love has been all over the place when faced with adversity in Green Bay.

Indianapolis Colts (+1) Over New Orleans Saints

The Colts scored a league high 38 points against a stingy Browns defense, but it wasn’t enough to get the win. If they play with anything close to the same level of offensive intensity, Gardner Minshew and co. will find success against the Saints. Derek Carr hasn’t done enough to warrant putting your survival pool life on the line, regardless of the opposition.

Cincinnati Bengals (+5.5) Over San Francisco 49ers

Stay away from this game. The Bengals are coming off their bye week and will be confident they can boost their playoff hopes with a win over the 49ers. Meanwhile, San Francisco has lost 2 straight, and key injuries to Deebo Samuel and Trent Williams has left their offense struggling. Christian McCaffrey is an absolute animal, but he can’t be expected to score 2+ touchdowns just to keep the game close on a nightly basis. Too many variables, but I lean ever so slightly towards the Bengals.

Survivor Pool Pick of the Week: Baltimore Ravens Over Arizona Cardinals

Teams Used: Washington Commanders,  Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks

Status: Alive

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