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The NFL is so impossible to predict. I was correct with my 49ers pick upsetting the Bears, but the Saints came up short against the Panthers. I had the Bills over the Texans, but the one lock of the year, New England, lost to the Eagles. There are no locks in football. It still doesn't make sense that the Patriots lost at home to the Philadelphia Eagles.
There is one quarter left to the season. The early games this week are easily forgettable, except for the Pittsburgh- Cincinnati game. That game will be a battle. The NFL gives us two late games this week. With 16 games scheduled, how does the NFL only give us two late games? At least those games will be somewhat interesting. The Cowboys travel to Green Bay and the Broncos host their division rival Raiders.
For those of you unfamiliar with survivor pools it’s very simple; pick a team to win each week, if they win you move on to the next week. BUT you cannot use that team ever again. There is NO point spread involved.
Editors Note: RotoBaller's NEW Survivor Grid Tool provides an easy-to-use color-coded interface with each team's full schedule, including Vegas spreads. Plan your picks, create multiple entries, and save your progress. Click here to use the Survivor Grid today.
Survivor League Strategy
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 14, per sportsbook.ag (HOME team in CAPS); CHIEFS -10 vs. Chargers, CARDINALS -7.5 vs Vikings (Thursday night), BRONCOS -7.5 vs Raiders, PACKERS -7.5 vs Cowboys
Top Survivor Picks for Week 14
Patriots -3.5 vs. TEXANS (Sunday Night)
You can't completely fault the Patriots for their loss against the Eagles. They were so banged up that the Eagles were essentially playing the second team. The last time the Patriots lost three in a row was in 2002. That is crazy. Thirteen seasons of never losing three in a row. I don't expect the streak to end this week.
Houston isn't a very good team. Their offense relies on DeAndre Hopkins to consistently make crazy catches. But Malcolm Butler will shadow Hopkins, making Hoyer beat the Patriots other ways. New England will stuff the box, daring Hoyer to throw. Remember when the Texans were destroyed by the Falcons and Dolphins? Those two teams aren't very good now. Tom Brady will come out and show everyone how the Patriots are fine.
Giants -1 vs. DOLPHINS (Monday Night)
I have a feeling the Giants start a little winning streak in Miami. For the Giants to lose how they did Sunday, they should be embarrassed. Their defense continues to blow games, and they have no running game. They ran the ball 24 times on Sunday, finishing with 74 yards. The week before that, the Giants ran for 33 yards on 13 carries. The Giants don't need to run the ball this week. The Dolphins have made the quarterbacks they faced look elite. Two weeks ago, Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 277 yards and 4 touchdowns, and last week Matt Schaub threw for 308 yards. The only thing the Giants can do well is throw the ball, a perfect recipe to beat the Dolphins.
The Giants know they need to win this game, especially since they host the Panthers next week. The Giants defense has been bad, but so has Ryan Tannehill. He threw for 86 yards this past week against a Ravens secondary that is atrocious this season. I think the Giants pass rush will get to Tannehill, leading to his demise on national television.
Top Survivor Picks to Avoid for Week 14
BRONCOS -7.5 vs Raiders
Brock Osweiler has made everyone forget about Peyton Manning. Osweiler is 3-0, including a win against then unbeaten New England. Maybe this is the game where Osweiler throws interceptions, or makes that one awful pass. I have a feeling the Broncos will be looking ahead next week to Pittsburgh, making this a let down game.
The Raiders went from being America's darling to the Raiders we know. After a promising 4-3 start, the Raiders have lost four of their last five, falling back to Earth. Talking heads, after anointing Derek Carr the next great thing, are now wondering if he is even good anymore. The Raiders are 5-7 now and their season is practically over. They know they have nothing to lose and will play this game like that. The kept it close last time played the Broncos, losing 16-10. They haven't beaten the Broncos in their last eight attempts. This game will be really close.
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