Are you scouring the Internet or an abandoned tree house for ideal Week 14 NFL Survivor Pool picks? Winging it usually doesn’t get the job done. So, how should we strategize with an eye toward the rest of the season? Let’s talk survivor pool NFL betting strategy and optimal team picks.
NFL Week 14 Survivor Pool Picks
Picking one team that is a virtual certainty to win each week sounds easy in theory. However, most NFL survivor pool rules dictate that you can’t select the same team twice.
Sometimes it’s best to lock in a nearly guaranteed win. Other times, it’s better to take a chance to preserve safer options for later. Before we get into this week’s picks, let’s walk through last week’s strategy and results.
In Week 13, I advised readers to pick the Minnesota Vikings over the New York Jets, believing (wrongly) that the Vikes would contain Mike White. The previous week, White thrived against a Bears defense with the second-fewest sacks. Minnesota would bring more heat, more talent, and perhaps more snacks if they got hungry.
The important thing is that the Vikings prevailed. White needed to throw it 57 times to keep things close, and the Jets still trailed by double digits in both the third and fourth quarters.
We’ll return to this shortly, in anticipation of White’s face-off with Buffalo.
For those needing a backup plan, I also recommended Tampa Bay over New Orleans. Since this piece is publishing before their Monday Night Football game, we don’t yet know what will happen. But I still feel confident the Bucs will prevail.
And now, my top pick for Week 14, plus the usual backup options if you’ve already chosen my No. 1 preference, or if you simply don’t buy into what I’m selling.
Seattle Seahawks
Jimmy Garoppolo’s season-ending injury gives the Seahawks a real shot at claiming the NFC West title. After this week, they’ll face the Niners at home, the Chiefs on the road, and then the Jets and Rams back at home. If they lose just one more game (let’s say, to K.C.), then they’ll be frontrunners for the division title.
Whether or not that materializes, Seattle’s playoff chances are key to my recommendation to pick them in survivor this week. After this week, the Niners, Chiefs, and Jets are toss-up games or worse. Only the Rams present a strong shot at victory.
But what if they’ve clinched the NFC West title by then? Or what if the Niners hold on, leaving Seattle locked into the 7 seed?
MORE: NFC West Standings Week 13
This week’s home title against Carolina might be our last chance to take the Seahawks. I understand that might not sound exciting, especially if Kenneth Walker III’s injury sidelines him this weekend.
However, at this late stage of the season, you might not have many “good” options left. As an above-.500 squad with a pretty tough remaining slate, this might be your best bet.
To me, the Seahawks are a better bet than their narrow 3.5-point spread suggests. The Panthers are subpar on offense and barely mediocre on defense. I expect the Seahawks to step up and overpower them.
Tennessee Titans?
If you want backup options, I’ll share some in a moment. For some of you, Tennessee might seem appealing in a home matchup against the Jags. I’d urge you to hold off until Week 16 when the Titans will get Houston at home.
I can’t think of a more favorable survivor play for that week, particularly with Houston’s strength (Dameon Pierce) likely getting neutralized by one of Tennessee’s greatest strengths (a stout run defense).
Buffalo Bills
If you’ve been saving the Bills and don’t trust Seattle, then this is a solid time to roll with them. Their final four opponents are the Dolphins, @Bears, @Bengals, and Patriots. The Bills are mostly healthy and should be able to shut down the Jets at home.
As you can tell, I’m not sold on White as a clear-cut upgrade over Zach Wilson. Both have strengths and weaknesses. White was exposed last year by more aggressive defenses. Buffalo fits the bill (bad pun intended) as a defense that can shut down White.
Dallas Cowboys
A no-brainer against the Texans, especially if your pool is down to you and one other person, and you simply need to chalk up another win. If the Browns could score three defensive/special-teams touchdowns, perhaps Dallas could score four. Seriously, the Cowboys might win this one by 30+.
MORE: Early NFL Week 14 Predictions and Picks Against the Spread
Full disclosure for those new to these weekly Survivor articles: I’ve already used Buffalo and Dallas this season, which is why I’m recommending them merely as backup options. But I haven’t recommended the Seahawks as my primary pick. That’s why, for integrity purposes, I’m pushing them first and foremost.