NFL Week 15 Survivor Pool Tips: Best Picks and Strategies to Stay Alive
If you've made it to Week 15 in a survivor pool, well, it's only going to get harder from here. We saw a ton of upsets in Week 14, and most survivor participants are running out of reliable options.
The Miami Dolphins likely blew it for many fans when they failed to put away the Tennessee Titans on Monday night. The recently surging Green Bay Packers also fell short on Monday, allowing the New York Giants to claim their third consecutive victory.
Making the right picks this week won't be any easier, as there are only a few truly heavy favorites on the docket. Below, you'll find some updated survivor advice for Week 15, using the latest odds as a guideline.
Check the latest lines at DraftKings.
General Survivor Tips for Week 15
1 of 3
There are only a handful of truly trustworthy games to consider in Week 15, but there are plenty to avoid.
We'll start with the Cincinnati Bengals, who are 3.5-point favorites over the Minnesota Vikings and who have won two straight with backup quarterback Jake Browning. While Cincinnati might feel like a safe pick, given Minnesota's quarterback instability, there are risks.
The Vikings feature the best defense that Cincinnati will have seen in a while, and at some point, opponents are likely to adjust to what Browning has put on film.
We'd also suggest avoiding the Cleveland Browns (-3.5) and Chicago Bears. The Browns knocked off the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14, but they're still going to start 38-year-old Joe Flacco against a very underrated Bears defense. With Justin Fields in the mix, this is a game that could truly go either way.
While we'd typically trust the Philadelphia Eagles against a sub-.500 team, the Seattle Seahawks could present real problems on Monday night. Seattle has offensive talent, the Eagles have defensive issues, and prime-time games can always get a little wacky.
The Dallas Cowboys are as hot as any team in football right now. However, they've been less impressive on the road this season and are up against a desperate Buffalo Bills team. Buffalo is actually a 2.5-point favorite in this one, and it's impossible to trust either squad.
One team we would consider using this week is the Titans. They seem to have found something in quarterback Will Levis, and the Houston Texans are dealing with numerous injuries.
Tank Dell is out for the season, Nico Collins suffered a calf injury in Week 14, and quarterback C.J. Stroud is in the concussion protocol. This has all led to Houston being a two-point underdog, and if Stroud isn't cleared in time, Tennessee could be worth sneaking in.
Tennessee will face Seattle in Week 16 before visiting the Texans and finishing the year against Jacksonville.
Trust the Chiefs, 49ers If Available
2 of 3
If you haven't picked the San Francisco 49ers or Kansas City Chiefs yet this season, now's the time to do it.
The 49ers are rolling and shouldn't have much trouble putting away the Arizona Cardinals, who are 14-point underdogs. Arizona recently beat the Pittsburgh Steelers and is coming off the bye, but it doesn't have the overall talent to hang with San Francisco.
Next week's game against the Baltimore Ravens will be a much tougher test for the 49ers.
The Chiefs have lost two straight, but they should be able to handle the New England Patriots. Like Arizona, New England just beat Pittsburgh, but outside of a three-touchdown barrage to open that game, the Patriots offense has remained lifeless.
It's hard to see Bailey Zappe and the Patriots getting a lot going against the Chiefs' sixth-ranked defense. We'd expect Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid to get enough going offensively for Kansas City to win.
The Chiefs are 9.5-point favorites on the road.
If you're on the fence about Kansas City this week, the Chiefs are also an enticing Week 16 pick. They'll host the Las Vegas Raiders, a team they just beat 31-17 in Week 12.
Consider the Rams, Falcons If Needed
3 of 3
Chances are, you'll need to pick a less consistent team this week to make it to Week 16. The Los Angeles Rams, who are touchdown favorites over the Washington Commanders, should top the list.
The Rams passing attack has flourished behind Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp and Puka Nacua. The Washington Commanders have the league's worst pass defense, one ranked 32nd in net yards per attempt allowed, yards allowed and touchdowns allowed.
It's a bad matchup for Washington, and it should yield a win for the Rams in Los Angeles.
The Atlanta Falcons are also worth consideration since they're playing the one-win Carolina Panthers. If Atlanta can lean on Tyler Allgeier, Bijan Robinson and their running game, they should move the ball against Carolina's 22nd-ranked run defense.
We're still waiting for Bryce Young and the Panthers offense to find life. It's probably not coming this week, even if Carolina is only a three-point underdog.
With the Indianapolis Colts coming to town before Atlanta finishes with road games against the Bears and New Orleans Saints, this is probably your last chance to take a flier on the Falcons.
If you're willing to take a chance, the Raiders could also be worth picking. Their offense is still struggling, but their defense has found new life under interim coach Antonio Pierce. The Los Angeles Chargers won't have quarterback Justin Herbert (injured reserve, fractured finger), which might be all Las Vegas needs to get its fifth win of the season.
It's still risky, though, as the Raiders (-3) are impossible to trust offensively and short-week games are always dicey. However, L.A.'s lackluster pass defense makes Las Vegas an outlier option.
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)
