X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Join the Best Live Fantasy Chat Community!

X

Receive free daily analysis

NFL
NBA
NHL
NASCAR
CFB
MLB
MMA
PGA
ESPORTS
BETTING

Already have an account? Log In

X

Forgot Password


POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts

NFL Survivor League Picks – Targets & Avoids for Week 12

The best NFL teams usually show themselves by Thanksgiving. It seems likes that's the Patriots, Cardinals, and Panthers, in that order. It will take a complete game to beat those teams. The rest of the league looks incredibly even. Bye weeks are finally done, but the NFL scheduling keeps getting worse and worse. There are nine 1 p.m. games and only two late games. I understand there are three Thursday games for Thanksgiving, but come on NFL. What's the point of Red Zone for two games?

If you are still alive in a survivor pool, congratulations. Be aware that the games this week are toss-ups.

Survivor League Strategy

I will be following the same strategy I employ every year when entering a survivor contest.

  1. Try to save the top teams for the end of the season. You do not want to be alive in Week 10 choosing between the Jaguars and Browns. Picking teams that you would not use later on in the season should be looked at early on. For example, last season the Jets played the Raiders in Week 1. I chose the Jets due to the fact that I knew this would be my best opportunity to use up the Jets and save other top teams like the Patriots and Seahawks later on.
  2. When in doubt pick the home team. Rarely will I be picking a team on the road in survivor. It is hard to win on the road, and teams tend to play better with their home crowd behind them. The one time I picked a road team last season, the 49ers lost at the Raiders and I was eliminated.
  3. Try to avoid divisional rivalry games also. Anything can happen with a rivalry game. Last season Washington was a 9.5-point underdog to the Cowboys in Dallas on Monday night football. Washington ended up winning, knocking many people out of their survivor pool.
  4. Never pick an underdog, unless you have no choice.

 

Before making any picks, look at each point spread. Vegas has the best minds, smarter than any of us, use them to get a glimpse at how each team is projected to fare that week.

The biggest favorites in Week 12, per sportsbook.ag; Cardinals -10.5 vs. 49ERS, BENGALS -9 vs. Rams, PACKERS -9 vs. Bears

Top Survivor Picks for Week 12

BENGALS -9 vs. Rams

This has blow out written all over it. After starting the season 8-0, the Bengals lost back-to-back to the Texans and Cardinals. But the Bengals return home to face a Rams team that is a mess. St. Louis is the worst team in offensive DVOA. The only offensive weapon the Rams have is Todd Gurley, but even he can't do much when the box is stacked. The Bengals will dare Case Keenum to beat the Bengals (if he even clears concussion protocol).

I don't expect the Rams defense, third in DVOA, to slow down the Bengals, the number one team in offensive DVOA. If the Rams gave up 37 points two weeks ago to the Rams, then the Bengals should have a field day. Once the Rams get behind, there is no coming back.

JAGUARS -4 vs. Chargers

This is the first time I am choosing the Jaguars in the survivor pool this season. The Jaguars are coming off a two-game winning streak, and have looked pretty competent this season. They are also only a game behind the lead in the AFC South.

The Chargers are so, so bad. The have lost six in a row, including a 33-3 loss last week. They are 30th in defensive DVOA, and the 30th-ranked DVOA team. The Chargers are done and I'm not sure they win again this season. Blake Bortles will have a monster day this week, as the Jaguars will show they are for real.

Top Survivor Picks to Avoid for Week 1

TEXANS -3. vs. Saints

Do not get sucked into the Texans--I still think they are awful. Yes, they beat the then-undefeated Bengals and Jets, but the Bengals were due for a letdown and the Jets aren't any good. The Houston offense is 23rd in DVOA, not too good. If the Saints take away DeAndre Hopkins, then the Texans offense has nothing.

The public is off the Saints after two losses, but they are fresh off a bye, and fired their defensive coordinator Rob Ryan two weeks ago (they are much better off without him). I look at the quarterbacks and I see Drew Brees against Brian Hoyer. How can you ever trust Hoyer when he's back to pass? The thought of J.J. Watt coming after Brees scares me, but the Saints are the 10th-best team in pass protection, per Football Outsiders.  I like the Saints in a close one.

 

NFL & Fantasy Football Chat Room




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Player Comparisons
Rookies & Call-Ups
24x7 News and Alerts
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Will Benson12 mins ago

Stuart Fairchild Could See Time In Center Field
Zac Gallen23 mins ago

Gets Opening Day Nod
Jake Fraley58 mins ago

Leaves Monday's Game Early
Nolan Schanuel1 hour ago

Injury Isn't Serious
Isaiah Stewart2 hours ago

Injured Against Boston
Duncan Robinson2 hours ago

Doesn't Return On Monday
Jackson Chourio2 hours ago

Makes Opening Day Roster
Anthony Davis3 hours ago

Cleared To Meet Atlanta
Blake Snell3 hours ago

Heading To The Giants
Onyeka Okongwu3 hours ago

To Return On Monday
Bryce McGowens4 hours ago

Unavailable For Tuesday
Orion Kerkering4 hours ago

Might Not Be Ready For Opening Day
Tyus Jones4 hours ago

Won't Play On Tuesday
Nick Lodolo4 hours ago

To Be Ready By April 10
Deni Avdija4 hours ago

Unavailable For Tuesday
Nick Martinez4 hours ago

To Open The Year In The Rotation
OG Anunoby4 hours ago

Set For Multi-Game Absence
Kyle Kuzma4 hours ago

Uncertain For Tuesday
Luka Doncic4 hours ago

Considered Probable For Tuesday
Matt McLain4 hours ago

Scratched With Shoulder Soreness
Bilal Coulibaly4 hours ago

Ruled Out For Rest Of Season
Kenley Jansen4 hours ago

Scheduled To Make Four More Spring Appearances
Jackson Chourio4 hours ago

"In The Mix" For Roster Spot
Yordan Alvarez5 hours ago

Removal Monday Wasn't Due To Injury
Rudy Gobert5 hours ago

Ruled Out For Monday
Scoot Henderson5 hours ago

Returns To Starting Unit Without Restrictions
Matisse Thybulle5 hours ago

Available Again On Monday
Wyatt Langford5 hours ago

Knocks In Run On Monday
Jerami Grant5 hours ago

Remains Sidelined On Monday
Carlos Rodón5 hours ago

Carlos Rodon Looks Excellent On Monday
Lauri Markkanen5 hours ago

Returns To Action On Monday
Drew Thorpe5 hours ago

Struggles On Monday
Alex Caruso5 hours ago

Ready To Roll Monday
Coby White5 hours ago

Ruled Out For Monday
Martín Pérez5 hours ago

Martin Perez Strikes Out Eight Batters
Kristaps Porzingis5 hours ago

Returns To Celtics Lineup
Merrill Kelly5 hours ago

Has Stellar Outing
Jaylen Brown5 hours ago

Ready To Go On Monday
Jayson Tatum6 hours ago

Won't Play Against Detroit
Oneil Cruz6 hours ago

Blasts Two Homers
Teuvo Teravainen6 hours ago

Misses Second Straight Game
Joshua Dobbs6 hours ago

49ers Reach Agreement With Joshua Dobbs
TOR6 hours ago

Mitch Marner To Miss At Least Two More Games
Jacob Markstrom6 hours ago

Could Return This Weekend
Rico Dowdle6 hours ago

Staying With Cowboys
Mikhail Sergachev6 hours ago

Skates On Monday
Dustin Wolf6 hours ago

Between The Pipes Monday
New Orleans Saints6 hours ago

Saints Expected To Sign Chase Young
Alexander Mattison6 hours ago

Signing With Raiders
Patrick Bailey7 hours ago

To Return To Game Action Soon
Coby Mayo8 hours ago

Chances To Make The Team Hinge On Jackson Holliday
Buffalo Bills8 hours ago

Taron Johnson Re-Signs With Bills On Three-Year Deal
Dallas Cowboys8 hours ago

Leighton Vander Esch Calling It A Career
Bryan Battle10 hours ago

Bout Ends in Controversy
Ange Loosa10 hours ago

Fight Ruled A No-Contest After Accidental Eye Poke
Ovince Saint Preux11 hours ago

Wins Split Decision In A Back-And-Forth Fight
Kennedy Nzechukwu11 hours ago

Suffers Split-Decision Loss To Ovince Saint Preux
Gerald Meerschaert11 hours ago

Gets Back In The Win Column
Bryan Barberena11 hours ago

Submitted In The Second Round
Denny Hamlin12 hours ago

Emerges Victorious For Second Bristol Win In A Row
Alexander Mattison12 hours ago

Visiting With Raiders
Dak Prescott12 hours ago

Cowboys Restructure Dak Prescott's Contract
Dmitry Orlov13 hours ago

Collects Four Points In Big Win
Tyler Toffoli13 hours ago

Dominates Against Columbus With Three Points
Lucas Raymond14 hours ago

Pots Pair Of Goals Versus Penguins
Kaz Grala14 hours ago

Finishes 19th At Bristol Motor Speedway
Bo Horvat14 hours ago

Scores Twice In Losing Effort
Brad Keselowski14 hours ago

Exceeds Value In DFS At Bristol Motor Speedway
Pavel Buchnevich14 hours ago

Delivers Three Assists In Sunday's Win
Ryan Lindgren14 hours ago

Suffers Leg Injury Versus Islanders
Kyle Larson14 hours ago

After 5th at Bristol: "I Hope I Never Have To Run A Race Like That Again"
Chase Elliott14 hours ago

Earns First Top 10 Finish Of 2024
Justin Haley15 hours ago

Earns Best NextGen Short Track Finish for Rick Ware Racing
Ty Gibbs15 hours ago

Has Dominant Day at Bristol but Fades Late
John Hunter Nemechek19 hours ago

Found Speed At Bristol
Chris Buescher20 hours ago

Secures Top 10 At Bristol
Alex Bowman23 hours ago

Late Charge to Fourth Masks Early Race Struggles
Christopher Bell23 hours ago

Ran Well, But His Teammates Were All Better
Martin Truex Jr1 day ago

. Matches Career-Best Finish At Bristol
Ryan Blaney1 day ago

Fades to 16th at Bristol After Handling Struggles
Russell1 day ago

Wilson Still Considered The Starter
William Byron2 days ago

Is One Of The Top DFS Options For Bristol
Ty Gibbs2 days ago

Starts 19th At Bristol After Damage In Practice
Justin Haley2 days ago

Scores A Starting Position Of 32nd For Bristol
Denny Hamlin2 days ago

Should Compete For The Win At Bristol
Brad Keselowski2 days ago

History Indicates Brad Keselowski Being A Favorable Bristol Play
Joey Logano2 days ago

Should Be Rostered With Caution At Bristol
Tyler Reddick2 days ago

Is Tyler Reddick Worth Rostering At Bristol This Week?
Martin Truex Jr2 days ago

. Could Work As A Tournament Play At Bristol
Alexander Nylander2 days ago

Totals Three Points In Saturday's Win
Sebastian Aho2 days ago

Leads Hurricanes To Victory In Toronto
Owen Tippett2 days ago

Delivers Three Assists In High-Scoring Loss
Steven Stamkos2 days ago

Extends Scoring Streak With Four-Point Performance
Nick Schmaltz2 days ago

Records Three Assists In Win Over New Jersey
Artemi Panarin2 days ago

Racks Up Five Points In Saturday's Win
Brady Tkachuk2 days ago

Sinks Islanders With Third Hat Trick
Pannie Kianzad2 days ago

Drops To .500 In The UFC
Macy Chiasson2 days ago

Gets First-Round Submission Win
Isaac Dulgarian2 days ago

Suffers First Career Loss
Christian Rodriguez2 days ago

Overcomes Early Adversity At UFC Vegas 88
Tai Tuivasa2 days ago

Suffers Fourth Straight Loss
Marcin Tybura2 days ago

Gets First-Round Submission
Justin Fields2 days ago

Traded To The Steelers
NHL2 days ago

Lukas Reichel Will Be In The Lineup Sunday
Cale Makar2 days ago

A Game-Time Decision Saturday
Zach Parise2 days ago

Likely To Return Saturday
Michael Gallup2 days ago

Panthers Bringing In Michael Gallup For A Visit
Mike Williams3 days ago

Panthers To Host Mike Williams On A Visit
New York Jets3 days ago

Jets Expected To Sign Tyron Smith
AJ Dillon3 days ago

Officially Re-Signs With Packers
Van Jefferson3 days ago

Steelers Signing Van Jefferson
Jakobi Meyers3 days ago

Raiders Restructure Jakobi Meyers' Contract
Jimmy Garoppolo3 days ago

Rams Agree With Jimmy Garoppolo On One-Year Deal
Gerald Meerschaert3 days ago

To Fight In Main Event Of UFC Vegas 88
Bryan Barberena3 days ago

In Dire Need Of Victory
Kennedy Nzechukwu3 days ago

Looks To Get Back In Win Column
Ovince Saint Preux3 days ago

Set For 27th UFC Appearance
Bryan Battle3 days ago

Looks To Extend His Win Streak
Ange Loosa3 days ago

An Underdog At UFC Vegas 88
San Francisco 49ers3 days ago

De'Vondre Campbell Heading To San Francisco
Dallas Cowboys3 days ago

Leighton Vander Esch Being Cut By Cowboys
Michael Gallup3 days ago

Cowboys Releasing Michael Gallup
Kenny Pickett3 days ago

Steelers Sending Kenny Pickett To Eagles
Pannie Kianzad5 days ago

Looking For Redemption At UFC Vegas 88
Macy Chiasson5 days ago

Ends Layoff At UFC Vegas 88
Isaac Dulgarian5 days ago

A Favorite At UFC Vegas 88
Christiaan Bezuidenhout5 days ago

Looking To Put It All Together At TPC Sawgrass
Eric Cole5 days ago

Rebounding Well In The Sunshine State
Brian Harman5 days ago

Playing The Dark-Horse Role Again At The Players
Matt Fitzpatrick5 days ago

Searching For Answers Thus Far In 2024
Sahith Theegala5 days ago

One Of The Tour's Fastest Risers To Start The New Year
Sam Burns5 days ago

Brings A Stellar Run Of Form Into TPC Sawgrass
PGA5 days ago

Sungjae Im Trending Up After Arnold Palmer Success
Jason Day5 days ago

Facing Iron Hiccup Heading To The Players
Tom Hoge6 days ago

Brings Strong Form And History To Sawgrass
Min Woo Lee6 days ago

Ready For Second Trip To Sawgrass
Will Zalatoris6 days ago

Working Toward A Win