NFL Survivor Picks Week 2: Survivor Pool Strategies & Team to Avoid
Most NFL survivor picks likely came through in Week 1, as 13 of the 16 favorites won outright, and those that lost were involved in more coin-flip type games.
My suggestions and NFL predictions for Week 2 ahead of Sunday’s 1 p.m. deadline will help you finalize your pool NFL picks.
🎯 Best NFL survivor picks: Week 2
NFL survivor pool picks for Week 2; best NFL odds subject to change.
| Team | Opponent | Moneyline | Win probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cardinals | vs. Panthers | -285 | 74.03% |
| Bengals | vs. Jaguars | -170 | 62.96% |
| Ravens | vs. Browns | -750 | 88.24% |
| Rams | at Titans | -238 | 70.41% |
| Bills | at Jets | -310 | 75.61% |
| Cowboys | vs. Giants | -255 | 71.83% |
| Vikings | vs. Falcons | -220 | 68.75% |
| 49ers | at Saints | -210 | 67.74% |
| Packers | vs. Commanders | -185 | 64.91% |
| Chargers | at Raiders | -178 | 64.03% |
🌵 Best NFL survivor pick: Cardinals (74.03%) over Panthers
Those that didn’t use the Arizona Cardinals as the biggest road favorites in Week 1 should be flocking to use them now in their home opener as their best NFL survivor pick.
The Carolina Panthers are just the second team in the Super Bowl era to allow 200-plus rushing yards in seven straight games. Carolina allowed 143 rushing yards alone to Jacksonville Jaguars running back Travis Etienne last week, the most ever by a Jaguar in a season opener.
Carolina has lost 28 of 35 games since the start of the 2023 season, and I expect Arizona to build off the momentum of its first 1-0 start since 2021. The Cardinals also play in one of the most competitive divisions (NFC West) in the league, so that is six games on their future schedule that one will likely be avoiding in survivor pools.
🐯 NFL survivor strategy pick: Bengals (62.96%) over Jaguars
There will likely be plenty of survivor pool contestants hesitant to back the Cincinnati Bengals after they produced just seven total yards and three points in the second half of their Week 1 win over the Cleveland Browns. Even though quarterback Joe Burrow’s 113 passing yards were his fewest ever in a win, I walked away more optimistic about the Bengals' defense in their first game under a new defensive coordinator.
Cincinnati is a great contrarian pick when facing the Jacksonville Jaguars, and I expect its offense to be humming in its home opener.
This play does not come without risks, as Burrow is just 2-9 as a starting quarterback in Weeks 1 and 2. Meanwhile, head coach Zac Taylor’s 1-11 record as a head coach in the first two weeks before last week’s win was the worst in NFL history among those who had coached a minimum of 10 games. But sometimes to win big in survivor pools, you need to “zig” when everyone else “zags.”
🦬 NFL survivor pick to avoid: Bills (75.61%) over Jets
The Buffalo Bills are the talk of the NFL after their historic comeback win on Sunday night against the Baltimore Ravens. But that is also the kind of win that can be mentally exhausting and lead to a letdown on the road the following week.
Justin Fields is not Lamar Jackson and Breece Hall is not Derrick Henry, but the New York Jets still employ the type of read-option offense with a speedy quarterback that gave the Bills defense fits last week.
The Jets’ 32 points were the fifth-most of any team in Week 1, so I would much prefer to save the Bills for a better spot, like in one of their three consecutive home games against the Miami Dolphins, New Orleans Saints, and New England Patriots in Weeks 3-5.
There is no rush to use Buffalo in survivor pools, as it is one of two teams (Ravens) projected to be favored in every remaining regular season game.
❓ NFL survivor pool FAQs
What is the best NFL survivor pick this week?
The Arizona Cardinals are the best pick in NFL survivor pools for Week 2, while the Cincinnati Bengals are the best contrarian pick for NFL survivor strategy.
How do NFL survivor pools work?
Each week, you must choose one team to win their game outright, but you can't use the same team twice across the 18-week NFL regular season. That means you must pick teams that are likely to win but won't be needed later in the year.
How do you win an NFL survivor pool?
The best way to win an NFL survivor pool is to make strategic picks each week that avoid upsets while leaving the best teams available late in the season. If you make the same picks as everyone in your pool, you won't be able to win - but you need to pick teams that can avoid knocking you out early.
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