NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 9: Advice and Predictions
Eight weeks down, 9 weeks to go. We had a sweat free week as the Ravens swatted aside the Cardinals in a one-sided affair, keeping us alive for another week in the survivor pool. By this stage of the season, the reliable options are gradually running out, forcing the strategic aspect to come into play. Last week, 7 of my top 8 choices all lived to see another day, with the Chiefs coming in as the biggest upset of the week against Denver. I correctly called the Cincinnati Bengals would win outright against the 49ers as 5.5-point underdogs, avoiding any mistake on that matchup. This week, there aren’t many large favorites to choose from, so selecting your Week 9 survivor pool entry will be no easy task. Here’s the top survivor pool plays for this week, ranked from most to least confident.
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New Orleans Saints (-7.5) Over Chicago Bears
It is a risky proposition to put your survivor pool life in the hands of Derek Carr, but there is no doubt the Saints will pick up their second straight win over the lowly Bears. Justin Fields is still sidelined, and the Bears abandoned their run game against the Chargers in Week 8. Without a path to victory on the ground, I struggle to imagine Tyson Bagent picking apart the quality Saints secondary. It won’t necessarily be pretty. However, with a division title on the line, the Saints will take care of business at home, and they’ll be my choice for Week 9.
Cleveland Browns (-8) Over Arizona Cardinals
The Browns are another solid choice in Week 9, but the Saints are just slightly better as we may need to use the Browns later in the season. The Cardinals traded away Joshua Dobbs. And with Kyler Murray still questionable for Week 9, you may want to wait to put in your pick. If Murray is good to go, it remains to be seen if the Cardinals will be able to rally around their superstar. If not, the Browns should be able to make quick work of Clayton Tune in his first career start.
Atlanta Falcons (-5) Over Minnesota Vikings
Just as the Vikings were turning their season around, Kirk Cousins suffered a season ending injury. The Vikings brought in Joshua Dobbs at QB, but he may not be ready to go for Sunday, having only been recently acquired. The Falcons play a mistake free style of offense and may just run the ball down the Vikings throats in all 4 quarters. As long as they don’t turn it over, Bijan Robinson comes up with a special play or two to seal a Falcons victory.
Monday Night: LA Chargers (-3) Over New York Jets
The Chargers got back into the win column after beating up the Bears on primetime, and they have another chance to sway the opinion of the nation if they can get another evening victory. The Jets got into a punting competition with the Giants in Week 8. And if their offense looks anything like that in Week 9, Justin Herbert and co. will shred them to pieces on the scoreboard. The Jets have seen big defensive plays win them games this season, but it won’t be enough to outlast LA at MetLife.
Thursday Night: Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5) Over Tennessee Titans
The Steelers may have lost to Jacksonville in Week 8, but they’ll get right back in the win column in Week 9. The Titans got a great first career start from Will Levis, but a daunting Steelers defense at home in primetime will eat him alive. The Titans won’t be able to score, and the Steelers offense will be able to do just enough, whether or not Kenny Pickett can play.
Baltimore Ravens (-5.5) Over Seattle Seahawks
The Ravens and Seahawks will both look to keep their solid season going and hold on to their respective division leads. However, at home, the Ravens will fly away as the surviving bird, thanks to another gem from Lamar Jackson. Jackson hasn’t been getting the MVP conversations he deserves, but he’s been quietly putting wins on the board for Baltimore, and he will do so once again against the Seahawks. There is no reason to use the Ravens in your pool. However, if your back is against the wall, they should get the win.
Houston Texans (-2.5) Over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Texans handed the Panthers their first win of the season in Week 8 and will be desperate to avoid falling deeper into a hole against the Buccaneers. Tampa Bay will come in with extra rest, but they won’t be able to get their third road win of the season. CJ Stroud will get back on the right foot, exposing the Buccaneers secondary, and the Texans are a decent pick in Week 9 survivor pools.
LA Rams (+3) Over Green Bay Packers
The Packers faithful got tricked by Jordan Love’s solid start to the season, but 4 straight losses have them well outside the playoff picture. They shipped out Rasul Douglas, effectively waving the white flag on the season. Meanwhile, the Rams have no draft capital and will try to sneak into the playoffs with their talented offense. I’m surprised to see LA as the underdog, but that doesn’t matter as the motivated Rams will win outright against a deflated Green Bay.
Indianapolis Colts (-2.5) Over Carolina Panthers
The Panthers may have gotten their first win of the season last week, but a high-flying Colts offense will be difficult to keep pace with. Gardner Minshew is the best backup in the league and is proving he deserves a starting job on an NFL roster. A generous Panthers defense will make him look even better. And while Bryce Young will have his moments, it will be the veteran signal caller that walks away with the win.
Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5) Over Miami Dolphins
The Dolphins have been able to beat up on bad teams but have struggled to contain solid units. There is no doubt the Chiefs fall into the latter category. Patrick Mahomes will have had time to rest up from his flu and will be eager to shake off his first career loss against the Broncos. The European football fans will be in for a treat, as two of the league’s best offense’s go toe to toe in Munich. It will be Mahomes and the Chiefs that extend their division lead, and sound real warning bells for the Dolphins front office.
New York Giants (+2) Over Las Vegas Raiders
There are much more attractive picks this week, but I do expect the Giants to gut out a road win against the Raiders. The Giants have a quality defense that won’t give up anything easy to Jimmy Garoppolo and the Raiders. They have good corners to lock down Davante Adams, and will put just enough on the scoreboard to get the win. A few crucial coaching mistakes cost them down the stretch, but Brian Daboll will trust the analytics, and make the right calls in Week 9.
New England Patriots (-3.5) Over Washington Commanders
The Commanders traded away defensive ends Chase Young and Montez Sweat, effectively waving the white flag on the season. Bill Belichick will never concede defeat, and he will lead the Patriots to a home victory. The Commanders offensive line has been their downfall, and there is no doubt that Belichick will have cooked up a stellar gameplan to get to Sam Howell early and often.
Sunday Night: Buffalo Bills (+2.5) Over Cincinnati Bengals
These two teams are trending in opposite directions, but it will be the Bills that get back on track in Week 9. Do not bother picking the Bills with this difficult matchup, but stay away from the Bengals, too. This is exactly the type of game the Bills have won over the last few years. They’ve clearly been in a rut, but a solid primetime game against stellar opposition is exactly what Josh Allen needs to kick him into the next gear. Bills get a tight win in front of the nation.
Philadelphia Eagles (-3) Over Dallas Cowboys
Absolutely no one should be risking their survivor pool life on this star-studded matchup. With top spot in the NFC East on the line, both of these franchises will be desperate to oust their division rivals. The Cowboys defense can score points in bunches, but they will struggle to contain the legs of Jalen Hurts. Whether it is the ‘tush push’ or a run to the sidelines, Hurts will be active with his feet to unlock the Dallas defense.
Survivor Pool Pick of the Week: New Orleans Saints Over Chicago Bears
Teams Used: Washington Commanders, Buffalo Bills, Kansas City Chiefs, San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Seattle Seahawks, Baltimore Ravens
Status: Alive
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