NFL Week 8 Survivor Pool Picks
So you made it this far? Well so has the Villain, so now it's time to do the math so see what team will move us on to Week 9. Last week was my worst week and I hope I didn't cause my fellow villains pain. The bye week is really starting to limit options and picks start to dry up. This is when you need to look at you r Survivor Pool like a chess board and plan 3-4 moves ahead. You need to really start saving picks and get maximum value now while you still can. So let's get to work!
Running totals (based on top picks only)
Last week vs Best Picks: 1-2
Season vs Best Picks: 14-4
Trap games: 7-3
Best Games
Cincinnati Bengals (-10.5) at New York Jets
Photo Credit: CincinnatiEnquier.com
The Bengals are for real, let’s be clear. Last week's 41-17 beatdown of the Ravens put the league on notice that this team can play with anyone. The Green Bay game convinced me, but this was a statement win. Their defense ranks 5th in DVOA and the offense is averaging 27 points per game. The Jets traded for QB Joe flacco to play for injured Zach Wilson but he won’t be available to play on Sunday. The Jets will be giving the ball to Mike White against that Cincy defense. The Jets already score only 13.3 points per game. According to Yahoo, 49% of entries are on Cincinnati so this is a popular pick. Maybe you want to move on or go against the grain, but this is a great pick.
Denver Broncos (-3.0) vs Washington Football Team
Photo Credit: GettyImages
The Denver Broncos are coming off a tough Thursday Night loss to the Cleveland Browns as Case Keenum lead them to victory. Teddy Bridgewater looked hobbled but gutted out the game. So why am I picking them to win? The Washington Football Team is just as lifeless as it gets right now. I don’t like what I:’m seeing on defense as they haven’t been able to stop opposing quarterbacks and the defensive line can’t get pressure. The Broncos get a lift this week as WR Jerry Juedy is back from injury, I expect the Broncos to get a win before their schedule gets a little tougher on them.
Los Angeles Rams (-14.5) at Houston Texans
Photo Credit: NFL.com
The Texans just traded away veteran running back Mark Ingram and hopefully QB Deshaun Watson is next. Houston just designated quarterback Tyrod Taylor to return from IR, but Davis Mills will likely start against the Rams. Tank Mode Activated. The Texans just can’t score as they are the second-lowest scoring team in the NFL. The Rams on the other hand can’t be stopped on offense as they average 29 points per game. The Rams are the popular pick but because they burned people already in Week 4, only 6.8% are on them this week according to Yahoo. This is a great time to use the Rams.
Buffalo Bills (-13.5) vs. Miami Dolphins
Photo Credit: BuffaloNews.com
The Dolphins are not a good football team as they have lost 6 in a row after barely beating the Patriots in Week 1. Now this is usually a game I would avoid because they got smacked by the Bills in Week 2 with a final score of 35-0. You usually expect the second game to be closers, but the Dolphins defense can’t stop anyone as they give up the second-most points and the second-most passing yards. Couple that with Josh Allen and the Bills being the second-highest scoring team in the NFL so far. According to Yahoo, 15% of entries are taking the Bills. They have better matchups down the line against Jacksonville and 2 games against the Jets. I;m holding them for a few weeks.
Lean Games
Indianapolis Colts vs. Tennessee Titans (-1.0)
Photo Credit: GettyImages
The Titans are coming off 2 unlikely wins against the Bills and Chiefs. No one would have pick them out right to win those games, and they already beat the Colts in Week 3. But that was a different Colts team as they are playing much better football. The have won 3 of their last 4 games and should have beaten the Ravens on Monday Night Football. QB Carson Wentz seems to be getting healthy and RBN Jonathan Taylor is finally a fantasy football stud. I like the Titans in this game but not by much. The line is very close, too close to put my money on them.
San Francisco 49ers (-4.0) at Chicago Bears
Photo Credit: GettyImages
The 49ers are struggling after a 2-0 start. They are currently 2-4 with their loss to the Colts on a rain soaked Sunday Night Football. That is four straight losses for the 49ers games. But Chicago also looked bad last week as most teams do against Tom Brady. The Bears are putting shackles on Justin Fields and the offense is suffering for it. My gut tells me San Francisco can get back to their winning ways and are a solid value play this week. But I’m not trusting them for my leagues.
Trap Games
New York Giants vs Kansas City Chefs (-10.0)
Photo Credit: GettyImages
This is not Giants Fan bias, the facts are right in front of you. The Kansas City Chiefs are not a good team right now. The Chiefs defense is just dragging this team down to the point where they might not make the playoffs. Their defense has record the second fewest amount of sacks, even with defensive coordinator Steve Spags to scheme for them. The secondary has given up the most 40-plus yard passes, so if they can’t get pressure expect Daniel Jones to get the ball down field. He should have Saquon Barkley, Kenny Golladay and Sterling Shepard back as they are practicing this week. Be clear, the Chiefs still have Patrick Mahomes, Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce on offense. But Mahomes is making too many bad plays and has no run game to lean on. Stay away from this game as the Giants can pull the upset.
Jacksonville Jaguars at Seattle Seahawks (-3.0)
Photo Credit: GettyImages
The Jaguars are not a good team right now but got their first win in London. But I think everyone thinks Russell Wilson is playing quarterback on Sunday. He’s not and the Seahawks are suffering for it. The Seattle offense has struggled since Wilson’s injury with QB Geno Smith under center. So a game that really should be a big line is only at 3 points. Jacksonville could be on upset alert, buyer beware.
