NFL Week 9 Survivor Pool Picks
Well Week 8 was many Survivor Pool players undoing as the Jets pulled the upset against the Cincinnati Bengals. The Bengals were the #1 team in the AFC until QB Matt White led a comeback to shock the world. The Villain took the Titans and needed overtime and a Carson Wentz gift INT to seal my fate. On to Week 9 were the matchups are tougher to map out, but the Villain will try to break it down
Running totals (based on top picks only)
Last week vs Best Picks: 3-1
Season vs Best Picks: 17-5
Trap games: 9-3
Best Picks
Buffalo Bills (-14.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars
Photo Credit: USAToday.com
This is my pick for the week. The Buffalo Bills had a shaky performance this past Sunday vs the Miami Dolphins, so no way to bounce back than a matchup with the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Bills are a dynamic passing team and the Jaguars' pass defense is awful. The Jags rank 31st in completion percentage and yards per attempt, and 32nd in passer rating. Add in that Jacksonville's best offensive player, RB James Robinson, is on the injury report with a bruised heel and is questionable. Even with two matchups with the Jets coming up, I like the Bills here. The Jets are playing better as of late, so you might want to consider this move now.
Pittsburgh Steelers (-6.5) at Chicago Bears
Photo Credit: GettyImages
Despite the Bears playing some inspired football against a tough 49ers team, I like the Steelers on Monday Night. Mike Tomlin has figured out the riddle of the offensive line and Big Ben. The offense is run heavy with a solid defense. The defense should be able to get after rookie QB Justin Fields and make it a long night at home. The Bars defense is giving up 125 rushing yards per game and RB Najee Harris has averaged just under 100 yards per game his last 3 games. I don’t have many other matchups I feel confident with the Steelers, so I’d use them here.
Dallas Cowboys (-10.0) vs Denver Broncos
Photo Credit: GettyImages
I’ll make this one brief, I like the Cowboys in this game big if Dak Prescott plays. He’s nursing a strained calf that kept him out of the Sunday Night game against the Vikings. Despite the Cowboys pulling that game out, I wouldn’t expect lightning to strike twice with Cooper Rush. I think Presscott should sit this game out personally, but if he suits up, lock it in. Even with matchups in the division with Washington, Giants, and Eagles on tap I would consider this play.
Lean Games
Los Angeles Rams (-7.5) vs. Tennessee Titans
Photo Credit: USAToday.com
The Rams just acquired star DE Von Miller this week, and the Titans lost star RB Derrick Henry. The Titans were already without Julio Jones so they were going to have a tough battle. The Rams offense is cooking on all cylinders right now with MVP candidates Matt Stafford AND Cooper Kupp. The Rams have a Week 13 game at home against the Jaguars that is a better pick, and the Rams might be due for a loss against a desperate Titans team who’s bounced back before.
Las Vegas Raiders (-3.0) at New York Giants
Photo Credit: ProFootballFocus.com
The Giants have been beaten down with injury, miscues and now COVID. The team is dealing with a little outbreak and now welcomes the rested Las Vegas Raiders. The logic is usually pick against the west coast team traveling east. The Raiders not only are dealing with the Gruden situation, now Henry Ruggs. But they have bounced back before, expect them to make this interesting though.
Trap Games
Indianapolis Colts (-10.5) vs. New York Jets
Photo Credit: USAToday.com
Indianapolis should win this game, but the Jets aren’t a good matchup for them. The Colts are a running team with Jonathan Taylor who has 5 straight games with 100+ total yards per game. But Quenton Nelson still isn’t healthy and the Jets strength on defense is their line. The Jets are 7th in yards allowed per carry. Not to mention QB Matt White seems to be the answer at quarterback, at least in the short term. He’s making the smart plays and taking what the defense gives them. The Colts play the Jaguars at home next week, I would save them for that game instead of this one. The Jets are just not a good matchup this week.
