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NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 2: Advice and Predictions

by Spencer Toth - 9/10/2024

NFL survivor pool picks Week 2 Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens

The first week of your NFL survivor pool is in the books, and it did not come without a major upset, eliminating up to 40% of your survivor pool entries. The Cincinnati Bengals were the most popular Week 1 choice, but they were upset in a big way by the New England Patriots. As we highlighted in last week's article, the return from injury for Joe Burrow left far too many question marks to put our survivor pool lives in his hands. Our top three choices were the Bills, Seahawks, and Saints, who all won with ease. Navigating an entire season is no easy task. However, with a large percentage of the competition already knocked out, the job just got a little bit easier. 

It’s now time to look at Week 2’s options, as the job is nowhere close to being finished. Here are your NFL survivor pool picks for Week 2, ranked from most to least confident. 

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

Baltimore Ravens (-9.5) Over Las Vegas Raiders

The Ravens are the biggest favorite in Week 2, and we will be taking the bait and selecting them this week. Baltimore will want to wash out the taste of their Thursday Night loss against the Chiefs and will have a little extra motivation heading into this one. They are the better team on both sides of the ball, have the far better quarterback, have home field advantage, and even have a few extra days of rest. Chalking off the Ravens this early in the season has its drawbacks, but surviving another week is still the top priority. 

Kansas City Chiefs (-6) Over Cincinnati Bengals

The Chiefs will almost always be a good survivor pool pick, and I am confident they win against the Bengals in Week 2. However, with several other solid options on the board, there is no reason to use a team like the Chiefs at this stage. They still have all six of their winnable division games on the schedule, and you will want them as an option later in the season. 

Dallas Cowboys (-6.5) Over New Orleans Saints

The offensive explosion from New Orleans in week 1 is the only reason this game isn’t at the top of the list. Dallas has a very strong offense, a stellar defense, and consistently elevates their play at home. New Orleans is a little bit of a wild card at this stage of the season, but Dallas’ dominance at home still makes them a strong Week 2 consideration. 

San Francisco 49ers (-6) Over Minnesota Vikings

The 49ers will not be stopped by Minnesota. San Francisco dominated the New York Jets without Christian McCaffrey and will be putting up a boatload of points here in Minnesota. The 49ers will be a good pick all season long. And just like the Cowboys this week, it is better to keep them in the holster than use them here. 

Los Angeles Chargers (-6.5) Over Carolina Panthers

The Chargers are another great option this week, as this is probably the biggest favorite they will be all season. Carolina looked terrible in their opening game. However, as they return home, there may be an extra pep in their step on Sunday. Justin Herbert and the Chargers played well against the Raiders, but we can’t put our lives in their hands in the first road game of the season. The Chargers will probably get the victory, but there is just a little bit too much risk here. 

Seattle Seahawks (-3) Over New England Patriots 

The Patriots pulled off the biggest upset of Week 1, shocking the Bengals in Cincinnati. While that victory was impressive, it’s not time to suddenly expect the Patriots to be competitive on a weekly basis. Seattle runs the ball effectively and will play mistake-free football. The Patriots may be able to keep this one close, but the superior quality all over the field for the Seahawks will be enough to get the win. 

Los Angeles Rams (+1.5) Over Arizona Cardinals

Divisional matchups are always tricky to predict. However, the Rams have shown they have a winning formula in Los Angeles. Matthew Stafford will outduel Kyler Murray and the Cardinals in Week 2. Los Angeles has a really nice combination of young, exciting players surrounded by veterans who know how to grind out wins. Arizona will be better this season than last, but their first win will have to wait at least another week. 

Indianapolis Colts (-3.5) Over Green Bay Packers

The Packers are not the same team without Jordan Love. After decades of stability at quarterback, the Packers will have to make do with Malik Willis under the gun. Meanwhile, the Colts have Anthony Richardson back in the mix after he missed the final 13 games of last season. The advantage at quarterback for the Colts makes them a solid pick this week. Green Bay will compete later in the season, but they are a lost team heading into Week 2. 

Washington Commanders (-2) Over New York Giants

There won’t be many better opportunities to use the Commanders this season, and they are a great option if you are looking to take a risk. The Giants have looked flat on offense, while there is an undeniable spark Jayden Daniels has brought to Washington. However, regardless of the opponent, the Commanders cannot be trusted with your survivor pool life. 

Denver Broncos (+3) Over Pittsburgh Steelers

Denver should not be the underdog here. They have a strong defense that will be able to limit the Steelers mediocre offense. Denver will not be running up the score. However, when they hold the Steelers to one or fewer touchdowns, they will be in a great position to win. 

Philadelphia Eagles (-6.5) Over Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons were unable to begin the Kirk Cousins era with a win, and the job won’t be getting any easier when they take a trip to Philadelphia. The Eagles are a strong team in the lines, and the power from Jalen Hurts will carry them to victory. The Falcons have upset potential, especially during primetime, but the Eagles will get the job done more often than not. 

New York Jets (-3.5) Over Tennessee Titans

Aaron Rodgers will need to play better if the Jets hope to compete this season, and he has a tough task against the Titans strong defense. New York’s defense collapsed against the 49ers, but it will show why they are one of the highest-rated units against Tennessee. Time is already running out for New York, and this is a game they will find a way to win. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+7) Over Detroit Lions

This spread is absolutely ridiculous, as I firmly believe the Buccaneers can pull off the upset. It’s not wise to take an unnecessary shot with the Bucs in a survivor pool, but I am still moderately confident they will pull off the upset. Baker Mayfield continues to get better and better during his Tampa Bay tenure, while the Lions are starting to flatline. Detroit needed last-second heroics to beat the Rams last week, and didn’t play well throughout the game. 

Jacksonville Jaguars (-3.5) Over Cleveland Browns

The Jaguars are a tough team to get a read on, but they are still better than the Browns, especially at home. Cleveland has a woeful offensive line, while Trevor Lawrence has been quietly putting together solid starts over the last two years. The extra protection for Lawrence will be the difference-maker, but there are better options this week nonetheless. 

Houston Texans (-6.5) Over Chicago Bears

Chicago has a real chance to pull off the upset, and this game should not be touched. The Texans will probably get the win, but in a primetime showing between two of the up-and-coming teams, anything can happen. 

Buffalo Bills (+2) Over Miami Dolphins

Just look elsewhere. The Dolphins have started out the year 3-0 in back-to-back seasons but have also lost to the Bills in 4 of their last 5 home games. Both of these teams can put up 40+ points in a moment’s notice, and neither should be faded in this AFC East showdown.  

Survivor Pool Pick: Baltimore Ravens Over Las Vegas Raiders

Teams Used: Buffalo Bills (Week 1)

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