NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 8: Advice and Predictions

by Spencer Toth - 10/22/2024

NFL survivor pool picks Week 8 Lamar Jackson Baltimore Ravens

All six 4+ point favorites won outright in Week 7, ensuring a large majority of alive survivor pool entries made it another week. It’s no surprise to see the top five picks from last week all win, and our official pick of the Washington Commanders did so without a sweat. The halfway point of the season is fast approaching, and the survivor pool strategy has changed. If you are still alive at this stage, it is crucial to plan out the rest of the season and take a look at the upcoming schedules. There isn’t a difference between surviving until Week 17 and losing in the first week. Here are your survivor pool picks ranked from most to least confident for Week 8.

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

Baltimore Ravens (-10.5) Over Cleveland Browns

The Ravens are the most confident survivor pool pick of the week. Baltimore continues to prove they are truly ready to compete for the Super Bowl, and the Browns will not be ending their five-game win streak. However, Baltimore is one of the more valuable teams to have in the back pocket, so with several other heavy favorites this may be a week we have to pass on the Ravens.

Detroit Lions (-11) Over Tennessee Titans

The Lions handed the Vikings their first loss of the season last week and they will not be slowing down against the Titans this week either. Tennessee’s offense is abysmal and there won’t be many safe choices this season for your survivor pool. Jared Goff will pick apart the Titans defense and there is approximately a zero percent chance (obviously not quite) the Lions lose a home game against the Titans. Their only other game this season against a sub .500 team is the Jacksonville Jaguars, making this the perfect time to use them up if you haven’t already.

Green Bay Packers (-4.5) Over Jacksonville Jaguars

The Packers are miles ahead of the Jaguars at this stage of the season. The Jacksonville defense continues to fall short and they haven’t been getting any help on the offensive end to compensate. Meanwhile, the Packers are in the thick of an NFC North race and this is a game they simply must win. A game against the Dolphins is probably their easiest remaining game, but if Tua Tagovailoa comes back healthy even that will not be a guarantee. If you haven’t used the Packers yet this season, seriously consider doing so even though the line isn’t massive.

Denver Broncos (-8) Over Carolina Panthers

I don’t want to sound like a broken record, but it really isn’t a bad strategy to fade the Panthers almost every week. Carolina’s offense is broken and their defense isn’t much better. They just gave up 40 points to a Marcus Mariotta led Commanders team last week. The Broncos have a very strong defense capable of slamming the door on the Panthers in Week 8. They are a fantastic choice this week, and there aren’t too many other opportunities to use up a team like the Broncos.

Kansas City Chiefs (-10) Over Las Vegas Raiders

The Chiefs are the last undefeated team in the league and that will not be changing against the Raiders. Las Vegas just traded away DeVanate Adams, essentially waving the white flag on the season. The Chiefs defense keeps getting better week after week, and the Raiders will struggle to find the endzone a single time against Kansas City.

Houston Texans (-6) Over Indianapolis Colts

The Colts have had a surprisingly solid start to the year, but a victory against the Texans is too much to ask for. CJ Stroud has carried the momentum from his rookie year into this season and hasn’t looked back for Houston. The Colts have gotten inconsistent quarterback play from Anthony Richardson, and even a few mistakes from Indianapolis will be too much for the road team to overcome.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-6) Over New York Giants

Offenses can occasionally fall asleep at wheel, but defenses rarely get beat by inferior teams. It’s hard to imagine the Giants running through the Steelers defense regardless of who is at quarterback. Russell Wilson is clearly not the quarterback of the future for the Steelers, but he is good enough to get them another win on primetime.

Minnesota Vikings (-3) Over LA Rams

The Vikings may have had their undefeated season ruined by the Lions last week, but they still have more than enough firepower to dispatch the Rams. A tough schedule down the stretch means you won’t regret using up the Vikings this week either. The Rams season is still hanging in the balance, and the Vikings are a solid choice this week.

Los Angeles Chargers (-7.5) Over New Orleans Saints

The Chargers strong defense will smother the Saints offense on Sunday. New Orleans has been decimated with injuries and they will not be able to overcome a motivated Chargers team. Los Angeles has offensive injuries of their own, but their superiority on the defensive side of the ball makes them a safe choice this week.

New York Jets (-7) Over New England Patriots

This spread may be a bit wide, but there is no way Aaron Rodgers and the Jets can recover from a loss to the Patriots. New York hasn’t been playing well on either side of the ball, but the Patriots have been even worse. Drake Maye’s development is the only thing New England will be concerned with and the Jets will pull out a much needed victory in Foxborough.

Atlanta Falcons (-2.5) Over Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Not only did the Tampa Bay Buccaneers lose on Monday Night Football, but they also lost both Chris Godwin and Mike Evans to injury. They now face a division rival in a massive clash at the top of the NFC South. The Falcons will be beyond motivated and their healthy lineup will pull out the win. However, these divisional games can be tricky to count on, so I wouldn’t put my survivor pool life in the hands of Atlanta this week.

Miami Dolphins (-3.5) Over Arizona Cardinals

If Tua Tagovailoa suits up for this game there is no doubt the Dolphins will win. His recent string of concussions is worrisome, but the Dolphins have a far more complete team compared to Arizona. Myler Murray has been playing well, but the rest of their offense lacks the killer instinct needed to beat a team like Miami.

Seattle Seahawks (+3) Over Buffalo Bills

Josh Allen was able to erase his dreadful first half against the Titans last week with a monstrous second half. Against a strong Seattle offense, he will not have the luxury of the opposition falling off a cliff. Geno Smith and Kenneth Walker III haven’t missed a beat this season and they will ride home field advantage to a massive victory. However, there will be better opportunities to use the Seahawks, and with a variety of other strong choices this one is probably a pass.

Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5) Over Philadelphia Eagles

The Bengals and Eagles are expected to challenge for their respective conference championships, but neither have lived up to expectations this season. Both are trailing in the division, but the Bengals consistent play on offense will let them pull out the win. Jalen Hurts and the Eagles commanding offensive line isn’t what it used to be, and the Eagles are due for a loss after their recent close wins.

Chicago Bears (-2.5) Over Washington Commanders

The Commanders lost Jayden Daniels to injury last week but Marcus Mariotta seamlessly slipped into the offense. The Commanders don’t have as strong a defense as the Bears, and even though Mariotta is an admirable replacement, Caleb Williams is still far better. Chicago cannot afford to lose ground in a very tight NFC North battle, but this really shouldn’t be a game you’re touching this week.

Dallas Cowboys (+4.5) Over San Francisco 49ers

Both of these teams are desperate for a victory and neither should be touched this week. Dallas has been excellent at rebounding from blowouts in recent years and a shorthanded 49ers team may be their next victim. I’m technically taking the Cowboys in this one, but you really should look elsewhere.

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Start:	December 21, 2024 @ 4:30 PM
Expert:	Vernon Croy
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NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 8: Advice and Predictions

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