We’re fast approaching the quarter mark of the 2024 NFL season and Survivor pools have been an absolute mess thus far.
Through three weeks of football, the most popular pick each week has lost. The Bengals lost to the Patriots in Week 1, the Ravens lost to the Raiders in Week 2, and then the Bucs lost to the Broncos in Week 3. There have been a host of other upsets each week, likely leaving most contests with fewer than half of the original entry pool still alive.
I’m in a variety of pools, including one with multiple entries. I suggested the Bucs over the Broncos and Browns over Giants as value picks in last week’s Survivor advice column and both of those lost for me. I grabbed the Seahawks beating the Dolphins for one of my picks in my multi-entry pool and so I’m still hanging around with that one.
I’m back with another round of picks to hopefully get us through Week 4 of Survivor pools. There are plenty of options to consider and every week this season we’ll be breaking down the safest picks, the best value picks, and the potential trap picks.
Safest picks
Texans over Jaguars
Cowboys over Giants
I’m probably saving Houston for Week 12 vs. the Titans if I even make it that far. But Jacksonville is a train wreck right now, so it’s worth thinking about them.
The Cowboys are headed on the road this week and are worth saving for their home game against the Giants. That being said, they should bounce back and are one of the safer picks.
Best value picks
Jets over Broncos
The Jets are playing some decent football but don’t have many great options the rest of the way. They’ll be a moderately popular pick this week, but a lot of people used them last week, so you won’t be going entirely with the crowd.
Trap picks
49ers over Patriots
Bengals over Panthers
It’s safe to say folks should stay away from the 49ers for the time-being. They’ll be a hugely popular pick this week and the most popular pick has lost each of the first three weeks. Avoid the crowd and a team super banged up by injuries. I wouldn’t blame you for using them this week, but you should try and stay away.
A lot of people have been repeatedly burned by Cincinnati. There’s no reason to go to that well this week against a Carolina squad that is better with Andy Dalton. It’s unclear how much better, but they’re dangerous.
