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Congratulations if you've made it this far in your survivor pools. You've survived half of the NFL season, well done RotoBallers. There is still half a season to go now, and this is where survivor pools get really fun.
I'm here, as always, to try and help you identify the best survivor pool targets and avoids for Week 9 of the NFL season. Good luck folks, now onto the picks.
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Top Survivor Picks for Week 9
@Packers -7 vs. Colts
Maybe Aaron Rodgers is back to his old self. Maybe not. But he looked fantastic in Atlanta, completing 28-of-38 passes for 246 yards and four touchdowns. He also led the team in rushing with 60 yards. Seven different Packers had a catch, with Davante Adams leading the way. Adams finally remembered how to catch a ball! Rodgers will slice up the Colts' weak secondary, who are 31st in passing yards allowed per game, at 289. The Colts also give up 115 yards rushing per game so maybe the Packers will finally be able to run the ball as well.
The Packers' secondary was underwhelming last week, but should have no issue with the Colts. Last week I wrote this about the Colts' offensive line struggles, "Indy's offensive line is trying to get Andrew Luck knocked out. They've given up the most sacks, 25, as well as the third-most hits, 50." The Colts gave up six sacks to the Chiefs who were without sack specialist Justin Houston and had a banged up Tamba Hali. Even if Clay Matthews is hobbled by his hamstring, he'll still get around the edge with ease. The Packers have one of the best rushing defenses in the league, only allowing 85 yards per game. I don't see how the Colts score enough to keep pace with the Packers.
@Chiefs -9.5 vs. Jaguars
Even if Alex Smith doesn't play, I still like the Chiefs. Nick Foles looked good on Sunday completing 16-of-22 passes for 223 yards and two touchdowns.
The Jags are a lousy football team. Just scroll down this page on Deadspin to get a good laugh. And read these tweets about how fourth-year head coach Gus Bradley has NEVER beaten a team with a winning record.
The Chiefs dominated the Colts on Sunday so as long as Andy Reid calls a conservative game, and doesn't screw up the clock, they'll win.
Top Survivor Picks to Avoid for Week 9
@Chargers -5.5 vs. Titans
The Chargers are finally getting Vegas' respect, just in time for a stinker at home. They're a good team, but not in front of their fans who fill up only half the stadium. They don't have a home field advantage, so this is like a neutral site game. I'm not sure how Phillip Rivers is playing so well with such random guys catching the ball. Players like Travis Benjamin, Tyrell Williams, Dontrelle Inman, and Hunter Henry. It shows how good Rivers is with his supporting cast.
The Titans are a chippy team. They've won three of their last four and played their best game of the season last Thursday night. Behind a great offensive line, the Titans are rushing for 152 yards a game, third-most in the league. But the Chargers run defense is sixth in the league, allowing 86 rushing yards per game (the Titans are fifth against the run). If this game comes down to the quarterbacks then the Chargers will win, but Mike Mularkey will want to establish the run and if the Titans run the ball effectively (they will) then they'll win the game.
@Seahawks -7 vs. Bills
You may look at this and think the Seahawks at home on Monday Night Football, no way they're losing. Well, the Seahawks have played three home games this season, squeaking out wins over the Dolphins and Falcons, games they should not have won. The Seahawks lost three games at home last season, and should have lost a fourth to the Lions had Calvin Johnson not fumbled into the end zone. Seattle has yet to hit their late-season groove, so hopefully it's not this week.
You can be sure Rex Ryan will have his team ready to go for a nationally televised game on Monday Night Football. The Bills will play with nothing to lose. They are coming off two straight losses and desperately need to win. Both of these teams' offenses have been underwhelming all year so this will be a low-scoring game which can be decided by a turnover or missed field goal, which bodes well for a Buffalo team that is third in the league in turnover differential +8.
