Week 12 NFL Survivor Pool Tips: Best Picks and Strategies to Stay Alive

Week 11 featured some of the most exciting finishes we've seen during the 2024 NFL season. The week didn't, however, feature many notable upsets.

It was a good week for participants of survivor leagues, as things pretty much unfolded as expected. That may not be the face in Week 12, as there are a few tricky matchups on the upcoming slate.

Survivor options will also be more limited with the Atlanta Falcons, Buffalo Bills, Cincinnati Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints and New York Jets all on bye.

Here, you'll find a few survivor tips and top picks for Week 12, using the early odds as a guide.

Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook.

General Survivor Tips for Week 12

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Steelers QB Russell Wilson

It's always a good idea to start out with identifying games to avoid. That process begins with Thursday night's game between the Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5) and Cleveland Browns.

It's incredibly hard to envision the 8-2 Steelers losing to the 2-8 Browns. Pittsburgh has an elite defense, a functional offense and a savvy veteran quarterback in Russell Wilson. Cleveland, meanwhile, is an absolute mess that just lost left tackle Dawand Jones to a season-ending ankle injury.

However, divisional games can be unpredictable, as evidenced by the Browns' upset of the Baltimore Ravens in Week 8. Short-week games are also tricky, and the Steelers are coming off an emotional win over Baltimore.

Pittsburgh can be used if necessary, but it will host the Browns in two weeks. That's a more favorable matchup to circle.

We'd also recommend avoiding the Minnesota Vikings (-3.5) and Chicago Bears matchup. Chicago lost to the Green Bay Packers on Sunday, but only because of a blocked field goal. Offensive coaching changes seemed to help Caleb Williams and the rest of the unit, while Minnesota is still seeing too many mistakes from QB Sam Darnold and its secondary.

The Arizona Cardinals (+1) at Seattle Seahawks game is another risky one. These two teams are battling for the top spot in the NFC West and will face off in a game that could go either way.

The Los Angeles Chargers narrowly survived a valiant comeback by the Cincinnati Bengals on Sunday night. They'll host a dangerous Ravens (-3) team that is starting to slide in the playoff race.

L.A. and Baltimore should engage in a thrilling Monday night contest, but it's hard to feel great about either squad.

Trust the Chiefs at the Panthers

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Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes

The Kansas City Chiefs are no longer undefeated after Sunday's 30-21 loss to the Buffalo Bills. However, the defending champs should bounce back this week against the Carolina Panthers.

This game isn't a sure thing. The 3-7 Panthers have won two straight and are coming out of their bye. They've had extra time to prepare and will undoubtedly give Kansas City their best shot.

However, the Chiefs (-10.5) will be extremely motivated to put Sunday's loss behind them. As quarterback Patrick Mahomes noted, the loss may serve as a wake-up call.

"I think it's going to spark us to have more urgency, especially at the start of football games," Mahomes told reporters.

While Steve Spagnuolo's defense couldn't find its groove against Buffalo, it should rebound against second-year quarterback Bryce Young. The 2023 first overall pick has been better since returning to Carolina's starting lineup, but he's still an inexperienced signal-caller.

This is arguably the most favorable matchup remaining on Kansas City's schedule. Divisional matchups with the Las Vegas Raiders and Chargers are up next followed by a road trip to face the Browns.

Cleveland is a relatively "safe" matchup too, but injuries and/or any potential coaching changes for the Browns could alter a lot between now and then.

Kansas City will wrap its season against the Houston Texans, Steelers and Denver Broncos.

Consider the Commanders vs. the Cowboys

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Commanders WR Terry McLaurin

Survivor participants who haven't used the Washington Commanders yet should have good opportunities over the next two weeks. This week, Washington will host the Dallas Cowboys. Next week, the Tennessee Titans will come to town.

Waiting for Tennessee may be the prudent move. Divisional games are difficult, and defenses seem to be catching up to Jayden Daniels and Kliff Kingsbury. However, the Cowboys (+10.5) are injured, directionless and flat-out bad on defense.

Cowboys head coach Mike McCarthy is a lame duck, and everyone seems to sense that change is coming. With Dak Prescott (hamstring) already out for the season, Dallas too often seems to be just going through the motions.

The Cowboys did show some fight early against the Texans on Monday, but as soon as the game started to slip away, it spiraled out of control.

The 7-4 Commanders are talented, well-coached and desperate to end a two-game skid. This game might be closer than the oddsmakers predict, but an upset is unlikely.

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