NFL Survivor Picks Week 3: Survivor Pool Strategies & Team to Avoid
We avoided all of the five landmines of teams who pulled outright upsets in Week 2, and advanced both of our NFL survivor picks without using any of the top Super Bowl contenders through two weeks.
My suggestions and NFL predictions for Week 3 ahead of Sunday’s 1 p.m. ET deadline will help you finalize your pool NFL picks.
🎯 Best NFL survivor picks: Week 3
NFL survivor pool picks for Week 3; best NFL odds subject to change.
| Team | Opponent | Moneyline | Win probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bills | vs. Dolphins | -800 | 88.89% |
| Packers | at Browns | -425 | 80.95% |
| Seahawks | vs. Saints | -385 | 79.38% |
| Buccaneers | vs. Jets | -300 | 75% |
| Chiefs | at Giants | -280 | 73.68% |
| Commanders | vs. Raiders | -190 | 65.52% |
| Falcons | at Panthers | -250 | 71.43% |
| Colts | at Titans | -200 | 66.67% |
| Vikings | vs. Bengals | -160 | 61.54% |
| Eagles | vs. Rams | -190 | 65.52% |
🟢 Best NFL survivor pick: Seahawks (79.38%) over Saints
New Orleans has been competitive through the first two weeks, losing a pair of one-score games at home to NFC West opponents (Cardinals and 49ers). But it is still 0-2, and things get a lot tougher going into a challenging environment while trying to avoid a third straight loss to an NFC West contender.
Saints quarterback Spencer Rattler became the first signal caller to lose his first eight NFL starts since DeShone Kizer in 2017. Meanwhile, Seattle is coming off its franchise record seventh straight road win in a convincing two-touchdown victory over Pittsburgh.
The Seahawks project to be underdogs or favorites of a field goal or less in each of their next eight games. And with divisional games not an option for them in survivor pools playing in a balanced NFC West, this is a perfect opportunity to use Seattle when looking for its first home win.
⛵️ NFL survivor strategy pick: Buccaneers (75%) over Jets
Tampa Bay will likely be overlooked in survivor pools this week in favor of more sure things in the Bills and Packers, especially since it is at a rest disadvantage having played on Monday night. But the Buccaneers are in a favorable spot against a Jets team that has its starting quarterback, Justin Fields, in concussion protocol.
Even with Fields playing the first three quarters in a loss to the Bills, the Jets ended with their fewest passing yards (54) in a home game since 2014.
Tampa Bay plays in a division with two of the worst teams in the NFL (Panthers and Saints). But New York looks destined to own another top-five pick in next year’s draft, and this play makes for a great contrarian play – and likely a safer one – as opposed to waiting to pick the Buccaneers when they play a weaker but more familiar divisional opponent.
🔴 NFL survivor pick to avoid: Chiefs (73.68%) over Giants
It is unfathomable to think the Chiefs, with quarterback Patrick Mahomes healthy, are in jeopardy of starting the season 0-3. Kansas City has not started 0-2 since 2014, and this current three-game losing streak - dating back to the Super Bowl - is the longest in the Mahomes era. But while the Chiefs are likely to win this game against an inferior Giants squad, there are still plenty of reasons to view them as the NFL survivor pick to avoid.
Kansas City remains without wide receiver Rashee Rice (suspension) this week. And even though it could get back the services of Xavier Worthy, the big-play wide receiver could be limited by wearing a harness.
It is better to wait to use the Chiefs in survivor pools when they are at full strength and humming later in the season, like when they have an easier road game against the Titans, for example. Plus, it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to fade Giants quarterback Russell Wilson when he is coming off a 450-yard passing performance.
❓ NFL survivor pool FAQs
What is the best NFL survivor pick this week?
The Seattle Seahawks are the best pick in NFL survivor pools for Week 3, while the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 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.
(21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER)
* Bonuses not applicable in Ontario.
Not intended for use in MA.
Each betting site featured on SBR has been meticulously researched and selected by our team of experts. If you sign up through our links, we may get a commission.
Related Articles
