NFL Week 4 Survivor Pool Picks
So if your like me, you are into the next week of picks or possibly on your second buy in. If you're in a league with a buy back on option, this is likely your last chance to get it right. There's are some nice matchups on the table and some picks to steer clear of. Here are my Survivor Picks for Week 4, picks to avoid and traps. Running totals (based on top picks only)
Last week: 3-0
Season: 6-0
Trap games: 3-1
Best Picks
Buffalo Bills (vs. Houston Texans)
Photo Credit: USAToday.com
Buffalo put together their best game of the season after their first stinker against the Steelers. A blowout against the Dolphins and Washington Football Team has this offense clicking on all cylinders. Josh Allen is back to his MVP level form, throwing 6 touchdowns and 1 interception in his last 2 games. The Texans lost their QB in Tyrod Taylor and David Mills first start against the Panthers didn't go so well. I'm tempted to save the Bills against the Jaguars in Week 7, the Jets in Week 8 / 18, and the Falcons in Week 17. But if you want a win now and adjust later, this is the pick.
New Orleans Saints (vs. New York Giants)
Photo Credit: Saints.com
My poor Giants are once again creeping back to the land of irrelevant as they are off to another 0-3 start (second straight under Joe Judge). While I have a hard time picking against my team, the facts are right in front of my face. The Giants aren't a good team right now and Jameis Winston is playing solid football right now. New Orleans will be hype to get back into their stadium after Hurricane Ida and the Saints defensive line will be ready to abuse the Giants o-line. Can you rely Daniel Jones to have 3 good games in a row? Saquon Barkley is can't get it going because their offensive line is not good. The Giants lost captain LB Blake Martinez for the season due to a torn ACL. The Saints are a good football team that can establish the run with Alvin Kamara. It pains me, but the Saints will not have a let down in this game. It's likely one of the few times you can feel confident in using the Saints because their next favorable matchup is Week 13 at the Jets.
Cincinnati Bengals (vs. Jacksonville Jaguars)
Photo Credit: GettyImages
So I told everyone to steer clear of the Bengals/Steelers game last week as it was a trap game for me. Everyone picked the Steelers and I went on record on the Tylemess Sunday Brunch and picked the Bengals. Who would have thought they would prove me right and now I'm writing in Cincinnati as a solid play this week. Jaguars are not a terrible team, but haven't figured out how to win yet. Trevor Lawrence has looked every bit of a rookie and ended any hope of a comeback on Sunday with a pick-six at the end of the 3rd quarter. Bengals might be a solid play down the line with a Week 6 matchup at Detroit and a Week 8 matchup at the Jets. But you have to ride the hot hand now before this team turns out to be a pumpkin. Take them while you can.
Lean Picks
Tennessee Titans (at. New York Jets)
Photo Credit: USAToday.com
While this is a also a slam dunk for me, this is a game that can honestly go either way. The Titans are on the road in New York and the first reason I would pass on this game is because there are better options to use them down the line. They have a nice matchup Week 11 and Week 18 against the Texans. The Titans' offense is a run first offense and Ryan Tannehill gets exposed when teams are able to slow down the run. The Jets are actually solid against the run, so far they are 14th in rushing defense. Zack Wilson and the Jets offense are struggling right now, they need to make it simple for the rookie. But if the Jets force the Titans to be one-dimensional and the Titans defense that hasn't played great gets scored on, their could be an upset brewing. This is one of those games that novices circle all the Jets games and then they destroy your pool.
Green Bay Packers (vs. Pittsburgh Steelers)
Photo Credit: USAToday.com
While this is an easy game to to take the Packers, I wouldn't take them here. I would hold the Packers for down the line when you need a win and don't have many slam dunk winners left to work with. Steelers are awful right not an not looking much better with Watt out.
Trap Games
Minnesota Vikings vs. Cleveland Browns
Cleveland is a good team, but only 1.5 point favorites. They humiliated the rookie Justin Fields and the Bears at home. Minnesota was 0-2 as they lost 2 close games and looked headed to 0-3 as they were down 17-7 to Seattle. But the Vikings came to life and put it to the Seahawks as they scored 23 unanswered points to get their first win. Kirk Cousins has played some of his best football, as he has thrown for 918 yards and 8 touchdowns. Don't take this game.
New England Patriots vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
So this is the revenge game from hell as Tom Brady is facing his former master in Bill Belichick. Both teams are coming off of stinging losses and looking to get a win. Bucs are better, but Bill knows how to win these games. This will be one of those games that you just can't trust. Bill Belichick is a touchdown underdog at home, it's a set up!
