X
Lost password?

Don't have an account?
Gain Access Now

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
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts

NFL Survivor Pool Picks (Week 11) - Targets and Avoids

kirk cousins fantasy football rankings draft sleepers NFL injury news

Betting expert Seth I. Finkelstein gives his top NFL survivor pool picks for Week 11 of the NFL season and 2019 fantasy football survivor leagues.

Doomsday finally arrived. The Falcons' domination of the Saints eliminated the majority of remaining entrants in survivor pools. If you avoided the Saints, odds are you took the Colts in the late game. Of course, the Dolphins beat them as well. More upsets were found as the Titans beat the Chiefs, the Steelers manhandled the Rams offense, and the Seahawks outlasted the 49ers. The Packers did survive as a home dog against the Panthers and the Ravens buried the Bengals, which might have kept some people alive last week.

If you are somehow are still alive in a survivor pool or loser survivor pool (where you have to pick a loser of each game), job well done to just make it this far. In most pools now, you'll need to pick two teams to either win or lose. This week we have three big favorites; 49ers -11.5 vs. Cardinals, Vikings -10.5 vs. Broncos, and Raiders -10.5 vs. Bengals.

If you are reading this article on Thursday or later, the lines below are correct as of Wednesday. The teams I like against the spread will be italicized, with my three best bets against the spread able to be found on the bottom of the column. Teams on bye this week are the Giants, Packers, Seahawks, and Titans.

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.

 

Top Survivor Picks for Week 11

49ers -11.5 vs. Cardinals

No two teams should play each other in a three-week span. It's just too close apart. That's why I like the Cardinals with the points because of familiarity, but I do think the Niners should win. They're a much better all-around team.

49ers 24 - Cardinals 20

 

Raiders -10.5 vs. Bengals

Oakland has three extra days to prepare for this one against the lowly 0-9 Bengals. Oakland will not lose this one. They will pound the ball with Josh Jacobs against the 32nd ranked rushing defense.

Raiders 31 - Bengals 13

 

Vikings -10.5 vs. Broncos

We all know Denver has a very good defense (top-10 in the yards per play, third-down conversion percentage, and red-zone defense). The problem lies with their offense which averages 16.6 points per game, 28th in the league. The Vikings also have one of the better defenses so the Broncos will have trouble scoring. However, Denver is off a bye which makes me nervous because Brandon Allen has more time to prepare.

The other big question that makes me nervous is how will Minnesota play coming off a massive road win on national television. They rank fourth in yards per play, ninth on third-down, and seventh in the red-zone. Kirk Cousins has also been protected; the Vikings offensive line allowing the sixth-fewest sacks and seventh-fewest quarterback hits. For comparison, Denver's offensive line has allowed the eighth-most sacks. That will be an issue against the Vikings whose pass rush has the seventh-most sacks.

Again, the letdown factor is real, but I don't think Denver can score enough.

Vikings 24 - Broncos 13

 

Cowboys -3 @ Lions 

This game is hugely dependent on the status of Matthew Stafford. So we'll just focus on the Cowboys offense and Lions Defense for now. The Cowboys are a surprising first in yards per play, first in third-down conversion percentage, and 17th in the red zone. The Lions defense is 26th in opponent yards per play, 27th in getting off the field on third down, and 28th in red-zone defense. The Lions also allow 129.7 yards on the ground, which could signal a big game for Ezekiel Elliott.

Even if the Lions have Stafford, I do like the Cowboys pass-rush. Detroit is a one-dimensional team and Dallas will know they'll be throwing all game. I think Dallas controls the pace of the game and dominates behind their offensive line.

Cowboys 31 - Lions 17

 

Panthers -5.5 vs. Falcons

I really like Carolina and their offense. Christian McCaffrey is a game-changer and Kyle Allen can sling it. They are off a brutal loss to Green Bay, in which they outplayed them but were robbed by the refs just before halftime.

Whereas the Falcons are off their biggest win of the season at New Orleans, essentially their Super Bowl, meaning this is a prime let down spot. Their defense has been improving over their last three but it's still not good.

Panthers 30 - Falcons 20

 

Top Survivor Picks to Avoid

Rams -6.5 vs. Bears

All signs are telling me to take the Rams here. They average 25.1 points per game (10th in the league) while the Bears average 18 points, 27th in the league. Chicago's offense has been so bad but this game is right in the public teaser range. Vegas is just begging the public to tease the Rams, meaning all they need to do is win. This game is also the Sunday night game meaning the Rams will be the second or third leg of countless teasers.

The way the Bears win this game is their pass-rush against the Rams anemic offensive line. According to Pro Football Focus, the Rams have the third-worst pass-blocking grade and are now without their center or tackle. Chicago's pass-rush will harass Jared Goff all night and I'm calling for the upset.

Bears 16 - Rams 14

 

Bills -6 @ Dolphins

How can you lay 5.5 points on the road with an offense that averages 19.3 points per game? Just read that sentence again. That point amount ranks 25th in the league. Through their last three, Buffalo has averaged 17.7 points while the Dolphins have averaged 18.7 points. Ryan Fitzpatrick gives the Dolphins a very good chance to win and he's always fighting.

Dolphins 20 - Bills 19

 

Saints -5.5 @ Bucs

This game seems like a layup, but the stats from both teams are very even. The one key difference is turnover differential, the Saints are +4 while Bucs are -6. That's all because of Jameis Winston chucking the ball around non-stop. The reason I like Tampa is not only because I'm getting 5.5 points with a home dog, these two teams played several weeks ago when Teddy Bridgewater was the quarterback and the Saints won 31-24. These two teams are now familiar with each other and this many points just seems too many.

Saints 30 - Bucs 28

 

The Rest

Steelers +3 @ Browns - This is the Thursday night game. The Steelers have won four in a row while the Browns ended their four-game losing streak Sunday against the Bills. I said last week that the Bills would struggle to score and that was the case Sunday. It may seem Pittsburgh has struggled to score, but their offense has been better recently. They've been averaging 23.3 points their last three (Cleveland's averaging 17 over that span). The Steelers Defense is also looking really good, and they didn't allow an offensive touchdown against the Rams on Sunday. What this game will come down to is the Cleveland offensive line against the Steelers pass rush. The Steelers have the third-most sacks in the league with 33.

Colts -3 vs. Jaguars -  The two big question marks for this game are the quarterbacks on each team. Will Jacoby Brissett play and how will Nick Foles fair in his first time back since his injury in Week 1? On the other side of the ball, both defenses are very equal in the stats. Therefore, I think this comes down to who makes the fewer mistakes (both are -2 in turnover differential).

Texans +4 @ Ravens - I want no gambling part for this game. You should just want to sit back and watch Deshaun Watson and Lamar Jackson. The Texans are off a bye and Bill O'Brien has a 4-1 record in those situations. I'll lean them against a vastly overrated Ravens Defense that is 22nd in opponent yards per play.

Jets +1 @ Redskins - Dwayne Haskins has not been any good in the brief time we've seen him play. The Jets have an offense with Sam Darnold fully healthy. That will be the difference.

Eagles +3.5 vs. Patriots - New England hasn't played much of anyone yet and their first real test, they got clobbered by the Ravens. Both teams are off a bye and I get the home team with 3.5 points. Plus, the way to beat Philly is chuck the ball around and Tom Brady is really only throwing short routes right now.

Chargers +4 vs. Chiefs (played in Mexico City) - The way to beat KC is to run the ball and the Chargers have not one but two running backs that can do that in Melvin Gordon and Austin Ekeler.

 

Best Bets for Week 11

  • Cowboys -3
  • Bears +6.5
  • Dolphins +6

Last week: 0-2-1

Season total: 15-14-1

More Football Analysis




POPULAR FANTASY TOOLS

Expert Advice
Articles & Tools
Import Your Leagues
Draft Rankings
Draft Simulator
Enter League Settings
Value Picks
Compare Any Players
News and Alerts
RANKINGS
C
1B
2B
3B
SS
OF
SP
RP

RANKINGS

QB
RB
WR
TE
K
DEF

REAL-TIME FANTASY NEWS

Yordan Alvarez

Resumes Swinging -- Return Imminent?
Jake Burger

to Miss an Additional 2-3 Weeks
TreVeyon Henderson

Signs Rookie Contract
Christian Watson

Goes on PUP List
Austin Riley

Hopes to be Activated Next Week
Ketel Marte

Lands on Restricted List After Burglary
Ricky Pearsall

Heads to PUP List
Brandon Aiyuk

Placed on PUP List
Luther Burden III

Signs Rookie Deal
Washington Nationals

Eli Willits Expected to Sign Contract on Saturday
Grayson Rodriguez

Being Shut Down Again - Will We See Him Again This Year?
Ezequiel Tovar

Activated and Back in Lineup on Friday
Max Fried

"Hopeful" to Pitch Next Week - Looks Like He'll Avoid IL Stint
Steven Kwan

Receives Injection in Wrist, Considered Day-to-Day
CJ Abrams

Back to Start Second Half
Alec Bohm

Back From Rib Injury on Friday
Trey Hendrickson

Holdout to Spill into Regular Season?
Jalen McMillan

Bucs Offensive Coordinator Not Forgetting About Jalen McMillan
Levi Onwuzurike

to Miss at Least Four Games
Nick Emmanwori

Seahawks, Nick Emmanwori Reach Agreement on Rookie Deal
Max Holloway

Set For Main Event
Brandon Lowe

Back From 10-Day Injured List
Dustin Poirier

Set For His Final UFC Fight
Roman Kopylov

Set For Co-Main Event
Paulo Costa

Returns At UFC 318
Luis L. Ortiz

to Remain on Leave for Another Month - Will he Pitch Again?
Daniel Rodriguez

Looks For Third Win In A Row
Kevin Holland

Set For His Fourth Fight This Year
Dan Ige

Looks To Win Back-To-Back Fights
MMA

Patricio Freire Set For His Second UFC Fight
Daniel Zellhuber

Set To Open Up UFC 318 Main Card
Michael Johnson

Looks For Third Consecutive Win
Elijah Arroyo

Signs Rookie Deal
Jaydon Blue

Described as "Borderline Lazy"
T.J. Sanders

Bills Sign T.J. Sanders to Rookie Deal
Christian Wilkins

Raiders Put Christian Wilkins on PUP List
Jabari Small

Lions Add Jabari Small to Backfield
Quinshon Judkins

Remains Unsigned, Won't Report With Rest of Rookies
Mason Taylor

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Jets
Hendon Hooker

Leading Lions QB2 Battle Entering Training Camp
Ozzy Trapilo

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Bears
Tate Ratledge

Agrees to Rookie Contract with Lions
Jack Bech

Signs Rookie Contract with Raiders
Yegor Chinakhov

Requests Trade
Dakota Joshua

Maple Leafs Acquire Dakota Joshua
Lukas Dostal

Signs Five-Year Extension with Ducks
Shemar Stewart

Not Practicing With College Team
Eugenio Suárez

Eugenio Suarez Expected Back Friday
Damian Lillard

Returning to Portland
Paul Skenes

Pirates Could Preserve Paul Skenes in Second Half
Brooks Barnhizer

Grabs 19 Points, Nine Boards in Summer League Win
Jeremiah Fears

Scores 22 Points in Summer League Loss to Thunder
Isaiah Collier

Collects 17 Points In Summer League Win
Caleb Houstan

Joins Hawks
AJ Johnson

Erupts for 25 Points in Summer League Loss
Washington Wizards

Leaky Black Logs Double-Double in Loss to Jazz
Connor Norby

Undergoes Surgery, Expected to Miss 6-8 Weeks
Trey Alexander

Tallies 25 Points in Losing Effort
Johni Broome

Records Second Consecutive Double-Double
Jahmir Young

Has Historic Summer League Outing
Rob Dillingham

Plays Big Role in Wednesday's Win
Tyrese Proctor

Erupts for 35 Points Against Kings
Cody Williams

Leads Jazz to Victory Against Wizards
LeBron James

Mavs Not Interested in "Gutting its Roster" For LeBron James
Josh Hart

Undergoes a Procedure on Right Finger
Jake Burger

Goes on 10-Day Injured List With Quad Strain
Sal Frelick

Dealing With Grade 1 Hamstring Strain, TBD for Start of Second Half
Chris Sale

Plays Catch
Los Angeles Clippers

Bradley Beal Heading to Los Angeles to Join Clippers After Contract Buyout
Rayan Rupert

Scores 24 Points in Summer League Win
Derik Queen

Collects Third Consecutive Double-Double in Summer League Loss
GG Jackson II

Records 13 Points in Summer League Action on Tuesday
Johni Broome

Logs Double-Double Against Wizards
DaRon Holmes II

Records Double-Double in Summer League Loss to Raptors
Kyle Schwarber

Named All-Star Game MVP
Harris English

Takes Stellar 2025 Performance to The Open Championship
Aldrich Potgieter

Seeks Better Result in Northern Ireland
Cameron Young

Likely to Hang Around at The Open Championship
Cameron Smith

Just Trying to Make the Cut at Royal Portrush
Jordan Spieth

Is Jordan Spieth Still a Natural for Links Style Golf?
Patrick Reed

a Viable Option at The Open Championship
PGA

Sungjae Im Wants to Rebound from Last Experience at Royal Portrush
Xander Schauffele

Looks to Defend His Claret Jug at Royal Portrush
Tony Finau

Trying to Turn Tide at Royal Portrush
Daniel Brown

Seeks a Rebound at The Open Championship
Rory McIlroy

Will be the Most Watched Player This Week at Royal Portrush
Daniel Berger

Trending Poorly as The Open Championship Looms
Clayton Kershaw

Retires Both Batters In ASG Appearance
Robert MacIntyre

Hoping to Bounce Back at Open Championship
Shane Lowry

Hopes to Repeat at Royal Portrush
Brian Harman

Hopes to Rekindle Some Magic at the 153rd Open
UTA

Michael Carcone Returns to Utah on One-Year Contract
Bowen Byram

Signs Two-Year Deal with Sabres
Morgan Barron

Jets Re-Sign Morgan Barron for Two Years
PGA

Chris Gotterup Punches Ticket to Royal Portrush With Win at Scottish Open
Bryson DeChambeau

Hopes to Reverse Links Golf Struggle at the 153rd Open
Keegan Bradley

Needs to Find The Weekend at Royal Portrush for Ryder Cup Hopes
Justin Thomas

Finishes Tied For 22nd at Genesis Scottish Open
Scottie Scheffler

Finishes Tied For Eighth at Genesis Scottish Open
Jon Rahm

Finishes in Second at LIV Andalucia
Tallison Teixeira

Suffers First-Round TKO
Derrick Lewis

Scores First-Round TKO
Stephen Thompson

Loses Controversial Split Decision
Gabriel Bonfim

Wins Controversial Split Decision
Calvin Kattar

Gets Outclassed At UFC Nashville
Steve Garcia

Extends His Win Streak
Nate Landwehr

Gets Knocked Out
Morgan Charrière

Morgan Charriere Scores Third-Round Knockout
Austen Lane

Suffers Submission Loss
Vitor Petrino

Scores First-Round Submission In Heavyweight Debut
Tuco Tokkos

Earns His First UFC Win
Chase Elliott

Charges to A Finish of Third At Sonoma
Chase Briscoe

Finishes Second With his First Career Road-Course Top-Five at Sonoma
Christopher Bell

Rollercoaster Day Ends With Top-5 Finish at Sonoma
William Byron

Maintains the Regular-Season Points Lead
Kyle Busch

Earns A Hard-Fought Top-10 Finish At Sonoma
Alex Ovechkin

Not Thinking About Retirement
PIT

Penguins Acquire Arturs Silovs
NHL

Nikolai Kovalenko Returns to Russia
Tyler Reddick

Evades Near Upset to Remain Alive in In-Season Challenge
Ty Gibbs

One of Three Tylers to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinals
Kyle Larson

Curiously Mediocre at Sonoma Before Late-Race Crash
NASCAR

John H. Nemechek Edges Out Teammate to Make In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Alex Bowman

Ty Dillon Bumps Alex Bowman to Advance to In-Season Challenge Semifinal
Shane Van Gisbergen

Can Anyone Beat Shane van Gisbergen at Sonoma?
Tyler Reddick

Better at Sonoma Than Record Shows
Chase Elliott

a Prime DFS Option at Sonoma
Michael McDowell

Struggling a Bit at Sonoma
NASCAR

Christopher Bell Has Never Finished Better Than Ninth at Sonoma
Ryan Blaney

Has Top-10 Upside at Sonoma
NASCAR

Sunday at Sonoma Will Likely Be a Long Race for Bubba Wallace
Kyle Larson

Is A Likely Top-Five Contender for Sonoma
Ryan Preece

Points Position Could Affect Race at Sonoma
Todd Gilliland

Struggling to Find Speed at Sonoma
Ty Gibbs

May be an Underrated Favorite to Compete for the Win at Sonoma