October 20, 2016

Seth I. Finkelstein looks at the top NFL survivor picks for Week 7 of the 2016 NFL season, giving you survivor league advice for targets and avoids.

Perhaps the playing level has diminished, but what about the coaching? Mike McCarthy this Sunday made some boneheaded decisions. On 4^th and 1 from the Dallas 19 in the first quarter trailing 7-0, he kicks a field goal. Two drives later on 4^th and 2 from the Dallas 25, McCarthy settles again. Although Aaron Rodgers has been struggling, you have one of the best quarterbacks and won’t even attempt to get a yard. There are so many different things the Packers could have done; put Rodgers in the shotgun, move Randall Cobb to the backfield, let Eddie Lacy steamroll his way for a yard, something like that. McCarthy needs to meet Jack Del Rio. Trailing 13-7 in the 2^nd quarter, with 4^th and 5 from the Chiefs 32, Del Rio went for it. They didn’t convert, but at least Del Rio was aggressive showing trust in his offense. Maybe that’s why the Raiders have been so great in close game this year. McCarthy showed no confidence in his offense, and the game wasn’t that close.

The Rams and Giants play in London this week. How fitting that a huge soccer match will take place that same morning between Chelsea and Manchester United. The English will yet again have no interest in the NFL game. Nice job NFL. Carolina and Dallas are idle this week.

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Top Survivor Picks for Week 7

@Bengals -9.5 vs. Browns

If you've picked against the Browns every week in your survivor pool, then you're still alive. So why stop now?

It's time for the Bengals to wake up. They were pegged a playoff team in the offseason, but are now 2-4 off losses to Dallas and New England. If they have any hope of making the playoffs, they will win this game.

Primetime Andy Dalton, third in the league in passing yardage, will shred the Browns' bottom five passing defense, who just made Marcus Mariota look like a veteran quarterback. There’s just too much talent on this Bengals team to lose the Battle of Ohio.

@Broncos -7.5 vs. Texans

Neither the Colts nor Texans deserved to win their Sunday night game. Both teams were horrendous, including Brock Osweiler. In the fourth quarter, he threw for more completions, yards, and touchdowns than he did in the first three quarters combined. Unfortunately for Osweiler, that hot hand will not carry over in his return to Denver. The Broncos' pass defense gives up just 191 yards per game. Oh, and the entire coaching staff knows every little detail about Osweiler. Good luck out there, Brock.

Colin Cowherd's rule of thumb is to pick teams that are coming off an embarrassing national television loss, and had extra time to prepare for the next game. The Broncos will end their two-game skid.

Top Survivor Picks to Avoid for Week 7

@Chiefs -7 vs. Saints

This line is a couple points too high. The Chiefs are difficult to figure out. They’ve played so poorly against the Chargers, Texans, and Steelers, but so well against the Jets and Raiders.

The Chiefs played a well-rounded game this past Sunday, handling the Raiders, but only converted half of their six red zone opportunities. That will not work this Sunday against a Saints team that has scored 30 in all but one game, and ranks second in the league in red zone scoring.

@Jaguars -1 vs. Raiders

I can’t imagine anyone taking the Jags in this game. How are the Jaguars favored against anyone? They’ve beaten the Colts and Bears. Those two wins against the NFL’s worst teams were by a combined four points. They are awful.

Of Oakland's four wins, three have come on the road at 1 p.m. in the Eastern Time zone. They are a perfect 3-0 on the road, and 2-0 as a road underdog. The Raiders should have no problem going east for a fourth win.