NFL Week 13 Survivor Pool Tips: Best Picks and Strategies to Stay Alive
Week 12 was likely a rough one for several survivor pool participants. The week opened with a Green Bay Packers upset of the Detroit Lions and ended with a Chicago Bears upset over the Minnesota Vikings.
Week 13 could present more problems, as the Baltimore Ravens, Buffalo Bills, Bears, Las Vegas Raiders, Vikings and New York Giants will be on bye. The league's best teams have probably already been picked on most pools too.
There are a few trustworthy favorites this week, though, and, as always, a few matchups to avoid. Below, you'll find some advice for navigating another week, using the latest Week 13 odds as a guideline.
Check the latest lines at DraftKings.
General Survivor Tips for Week 13
1 of 3
If you've made it to Week 13 without using the San Francisco 49ers or Philadelphia Eagles, congratulations, you're in good shape. The 10-1 Eagles have been one of the league's most reliable survivor options, and while the 49ers have blown a handful of games, they've been surging since the bye.
The problem is that the 49ers travel to face the Eagles this week, and it's hard to pick either team.
The 49ers are three-point road favorites, and they do have the skill players needed to exploit Philly's 29th-ranked pass defense. However, the Eagles are resilient, and it wouldn't be a shock to see Jalen Hurts pull out some late-game magic to provide the upset.
If you haven't used the Dallas Cowboys yet, now is the perfect time. The Seattle Seahawks are above .500, but they're 9.5-point dogs for a reason. Dak Prescott and the Cowboys are undefeated at home.
With games against the Eagles, Bills, Miami Dolphins and Lions looming, this might be the last time to truly trust Dallas until Week 18—and that could be a meaningless game against the Washington Commanders that the Cowboys aren't motivated to win.
Given the Los Angeles Chargers' penchant for losing close games, L.A. should be avoided, even as a six-point favorite against the lowly New England Patriots. The Los Angeles Rams should also be avoided, even as 3.5-point favorites at home against the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns' offense is one of the most underwhelming in the NFL, but their defense can take over games (see Cleveland's Week 6 upset of San Francisco for proof). The Rams' Week 15 game against the Commanders is much more enticing.
It's easy to love C.J. Stroud and the upstart Houston Texans, but the Denver Broncos (+3.5) are one of the league's hottest teams. We'd avoid that one, along with the AFC South showdown between the Indianapolis Colts (-1) and Tennessee Titans.
Trust the Miami Dolphins over the Washington Commanders
2 of 3
Like the Cowboys, the Miami Dolphins have struggled against top-tier teams this season. Also like the Cowboys, the Dolphins represent an enticing survivor play in Week 13.
While Miami will be on the road, it is a 9.5-favorite against Washington, and it should be.
The Commanders have struggled mightily against the pass this season, ranking 30th in passing yards allowed and dead-last in points allowed. While teams like the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo have been able to slow Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the Commanders likely can't.
Miami's defense, meanwhile, has seen a late-season surge since Jalen Ramsey entered the lineup. Over their past four games, the Dolphins have surrendered an average of only 16 points per game.
While the Commanders can get enough out of Sam Howell and their offense to at least hang with most teams at home, a Washington upset win would represent one of the biggest surprises of Week 13.
Take a Chance on Buccaneers, Jaguars, Be Wary of Steelers
3 of 3
This late in the season, you may have to rely on an underwhelming team like the 4-7 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The good news is that Tampa is set to play a one-win Carolina Panthers team that just fired its head coach.
The Bucs are 5.5-point favorites here, and they should hold serve at home. However, there is some risk in betting against Carolina this week (there usually isn't) as firing Frank Reich might actually help rookie quarterback Bryce Young.
The Panthers also have a sound pass defense that could create problems for a Buccaneers team that can't run consistently.
The Jacksonville Jaguars are a much safer pick, even though the Cincinnati Bengals remain a talented team. The Bengals (+8.5) just aren't as formidable without Joe Burrow, and the Jags seem to have learned what not to do during their blowout Week 10 loss to San Francisco.
Prime-time games are always risky, though, so we'd consider Jacksonville a Plan B in Week 12.
The Pittsburgh Steelers (-6.5) are even riskier against the Arizona Cardinals. While firing offensive coordinator Matt Canada did help boost the offense in terms of yardage, the Steelers still produced a mere 16 points in Week 12.
If things look the same on Sunday, there's a chance that a little Kyler Murray magic will allow Arizona to pull the upset. Next Thursday's game against the toothless Patriots is a better play for Pittsburgh.
Gambling problem? Call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369).
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visiting ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), visiting OPGR.org (OR), or calling/texting TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).
Odds and lines subject to change. 21+ (18+ NH/WY). AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions.
.jpg?w=256 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.jpg?w=480 "Colts Jaguars Football")
.png?w=480)
