Docs Website

53 Years Strong! A Trusted Leader In Sports Picks, Best Bets and Predictions Since 1971.

Main Menu

NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 12: Advice and Predictions

by Spencer Toth - 11/20/2024

NFL survivor pool picks Week 12 Jayden Daniels Washington Commanders

One of the hardest tasks to complete as an NFL fan is surviving an entire season in your NFL survivor pool. We are beginning to enter the tail end of the season, with just seven weeks remaining in the regular season. Six of the seven largest favorites took care of business in Week 11, with the 49ers (-6.5) being the only heavy favorite to lose outright. We successfully faded the 49ers, who were 13th in our confidence rankings. Our top three choices, the Lions, Texans, and Dolphins, all won by double digits in a relatively straightforward week in the NFL. It is time to start using up the top teams you still have remaining as we tick closer to the conclusion of the season. Here are your survivor pool picks for Week 12 ranked from most to least confident. 

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

Washington Commanders (-10) Over Dallas Cowboys 

The Cowboys have dropped five consecutive games which has virtually eliminated them from postseason contention. Dak Prescott is still out, and there is little doubt the Commanders can defend their home field against their fierce rival. There is no argument that Washington is the top choice of the week. However, with games against the Titans, Saints, and another against the Cowboys still upcoming it may be wiser to look elsewhere for your survivor pool pick this week. 

Kansas City Chiefs (-11) Over Carolina Panthers

The Chiefs lost their first game of the season last week, but they will not be dropping two straight when they visit the Panthers in Week 12. Carolina lacks the offense to unlock a strong Chiefs defense and could easily be held to single digits against the defending champions. Patrick Mahomes vs Bryce Young isn’t much of a competition making this a sweat-free choice. 

Miami Dolphins (-7) Over New England Patriots

The Dolphins cannot afford to lose this game if they want to keep their faint playoff hopes alive. New England has a competent defense, but it still will not be enough to prevent Tua Tagovailoa and Tyreek Hill from dropping 30+ points this weekend. Drake Maye has shown signs of life for the Patriots, but he still doesn’t offer enough to expect a close game in Miami. The Dolphins only have two more home games this season, so I will be officially pulling the trigger on Miami. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-5.5) Over New York Giants

The Giants are turning to Tommy DeVito at quarterback for the foreseeable future, which should tell you all you need to know about the state of this team. New York has a promising receiver in Malik Nabers, but there isn’t much going for them in a quest to upset a motivated Buccaneers team. Tampa Bay is coming off their bye week and will be getting future Hall of Famer Mike Evans back from injury. This is a strong pick for Week 12. 

Detroit Lions (-7.5) Over Indianapolis Colts

Like most weeks, the Detroit Lions are coming in as big favorites over their opponents. Despite the Colts respectable 5-6 record and improving play from Anthony Richardson, the Lions will still pick up this win more often than not. Jared Goff has been leading an unstoppable attack scoring touchdowns on all 7 drives he participated in last week. This one might not be a blowout but do not hesitate to use the Lions if you haven’t already done so. 

Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5) Over Cleveland Browns

The Steelers are coming off a massive win over the Ravens last week, and look poised to build on that momentum against Cleveland this week. The Browns offense led by Jameis Winston is better than it was with DeShaun Watson. However it is still nowhere near good enough to pick apart a stellar Steelers defensive unit. TJ Watt is due for a big game, and multiple sacks from the Steelers defensive lineman will lead the team to victory. 

Denver Broncos (-5.5) Over Las Vegas Raiders

The Broncos have gotten themselves back into the playoff picture after demolishing the Falcons last week. They now face a winnable road game against a division rival to keep their spot in the Wild Card positions. The Broncos may not be able to cover this spread, but they will not be losing to the Raiders outright. Bo Nix has been playing inspired football, and Denver has a solid defense to back him up too. They have a game against the Browns left on their schedule, but otherwise have a pretty tough list of opponents remaining, making them a great pick this week. 

Houston Texans (-8.5) Over Tennessee Titans

I’m not fully convinced the Texans are legitimate AFC threats, but they are still good enough to beat the lowly Titans. Houston may be struggling against the top teams, but they have been able to consistently take care of business against the bottom half of the league. That is exactly what we are looking for when making survivor pool picks, and the Texans will have little trouble getting the win over Will Levis and the Titans. 

Chicago Bears (+3.5) Over Minnesota Vikings

The Bears have come up short in recent weeks, but a vulnerable Vikings offense will finally allow them to get over the line. Sam Darnold has been shaky, and the Bears luck is bound to eventually bounce back in their favor. Caleb Williams will make the most of home-field advantage to keep the Bears season alive with a massive divisional win. 

Seattle Seahawks (-1) Over Arizona Cardinals

Seattle’s offense continues to roll with Geno Smith and Kenneth Walker III looking as good as ever. The Cardinals are bringing a nice win streak into this game but will see it snapped by a well-rounded Seahawks side. Seattle has finally figured out their defensive scheme and is starting to reap the rewards as a result. 

Baltimore Ravens (-3) Over Los Angeles Chargers

The Ravens stunningly lost to the Steelers last week, while the Chargers picked up a win against the Bengals. Los Angeles’s defense was exposed, and the Ravens will not allow them to run their way back into the game as Cinncinatti did. Los Angeles has leaned on their defense to succeed this season, but that strategy will not work against a team like Baltimore. There will be better chances to use the Ravens down the stretch, but if this is your only option you can still tail them with confidence. 

San Francisco 49ers (+2.5) Over Green Bay Packers

If Brock Purdy can suit up for the 49ers they will become favorites in this game and will be a sneaky survivor pool pick. The Packers are fortunate to be 8-2 this season, while the 49ers are unlucky to be 5-5. San Francisco is due for a big win, and they will find one on the road against Green Bay. 

Philadelphia Eagles (-3) Over Los Angeles Rams

There is no reason to tempt fate by touching this game. The Eagles have looked dominant but the Rams physicality could offset Philadelphia. Both of these teams have very easy schedules down the stretch and should be saved for future weeks down the line.

Survivor Pool Pick of the Week: Miami Dolphins Over New England Patriots 

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.

 

Most Recent NFL Survivor Pool Picks

One E-mail A Week Is All You Need!
Our weekly newsletter is loaded with exclusive free picks,insight and advice from our expert handicappers