NFL Week 9 Survivor Pool Picks
Chances are if you’re reading this, you’re still alive in your NFL survivor pool. Which teams are safe in Week 9? Here are three options.
How we did last week: For a second straight week we went 3-0 again with our survivor pool picks. Knowing that teams are dwindling from your list, we’ll try to mix it up as much as we can for Week 9.
Option 1: Houston Texans
According to oddsmakers from online sports book Bovada.lv, the Texans are the biggest favorite in Week 9 and the only double-digit favorite on this week’s NFL slate. Indianapolis is horrible, losing six of its first eight games to fall to 2-6 on the year. Granted, they were competitive with our second option last week, which was the Bengals, who squeaked out a 1-point victory at home. I don’t think the score will be as close in Houston, which nearly upset Seattle as a 6.5-point road underdog last Sunday. The Colts are dead last in scoring defense, allowing 30.8 points per game, are 31st in total yards allowed (406.8) and 31st in passing yards allowed (290.4). Deshaun Watson is making a claim to be the NFL Rookie of the Year and he should have a field day against a Colts defense that hasn’t been competitive.
Option 2: Los Angeles Rams
I hate taking road teams in survivor pools (especially those that have to fly cross-country), but chances are you already burned the Eagles, Saints and Seahawks. (If you haven’t, then any of those three teams listed would be our second and third options.) Both the Rams and Giants are coming off their byes, but only one team is fighting for a playoff spot at the moment and that’s L.A. The Giants rank 23rd in the league in rushing yards allowed, surrendering 120.7 per game. That spells trouble for a Giants defense that will face Todd Gurley on Sunday. As long as Gurley is doing his thing, Jared Goff and the rest of the Rams offense is fine. Plus, Wade Phillips’ defense is starting to come together and they’ll benefit from facing a Giants team that can’t score (30th, 16.0 points per game).
Option 3: Jacksonville Jaguars
Did I mention how the options are weak in Week 9? Hopefully you didn’t burn the Texans, Saints, Eagles or Seahawks because this is a tough one. I don’t trust Blake Bortles as far as I can throw him but the Jaguars are coming off a bye and will have Leonard Fournette back for Sunday’s matchup with Cincinnati. The Jaguars are a 4.5-point home favorite and despite being a public play as well, I think they’ll be fine versus a Cincinnati team that nearly found a way to lose at home to the 2-6 Colts last weekend.