The NFL season is back and one of the best ways to get in on the action is by joining a season-long NFL Survivor Pool. You can enter the DraftKings $1 Million+ NFL Survivor pool for just $10 here.
The rules for NFL Survivor Pools are simple. Each week, you pick a team to win their game straight-up. If that team wins, you move on to the next week. If they lose, you are eliminated. However, you can only use each team once. So, while you want to prioritize picking a team that will win, you also have to consider your season-long strategy.
NFL Week 1 Survivor Pool Picks, Strategy and Best Teams to Use
Week 1 NFL Survivor Strategy
Everybody thinks they know which teams will be good and which teams will be bad before the NFL season starts. However, history tells us there are always surprise teams in both directions. When it comes to Week 1, the most important thing is to survive. While you want to save some good teams for later in the season, there will also be opportunities that end up presenting themselves if a team has key players out or a team emerges to be much better than anyone expected.
It’s important to look ahead at the NFL schedule and circle a couple of spots that you can save the top teams for, like the Seahawks, Rams, Bills and Ravens. However, as previously mentioned, the most important strategy for Week 1 is to survive and advance.
Week 1 Survivor Pool Best Pick
Chargers over Cardinals
The Cardinals are the betting favorites to have the fewest wins in the NFL this season. They have a bad roster, Jacoby Brissett at quarterback and, to make matters worse, No. 3 overall pick Jeremiyah Love is questionable coming into this week. The AFC West is a very tough division with the Chiefs and Broncos. The Chargers don’t have many easy games on their schedule, so this Week 1 home matchup against arguably the worst team in the league is the time to take them. Week 1 survivor picks are always nervy because these teams haven’t actually played a game yet, but this is the safest pick you will find.
Week 1 Survivor Bold Pick
Steelers over Falcons
The Steelers are only 3.5-point favorites against the Falcons this week. There are a few bigger favorites out there, but I wouldn’t blame anyone who decided to go with the Steelers this week. They are another team that is in a tough division, making this a good chance to take Pittsburgh. Aaron Rodgers’ health is always a concern at his age, so taking the Steelers while he is fully fit is also a good move. The Falcons could improve as the season goes on if Michael Penix Jr. comes back healthy. However, with Tua Tagovailoa at quarterback, this team is untouchable. The Steelers should get a big win at home to start the season.
Week 1 Survivor Favorite to Avoid
Bengals over Buccaneers
The Bengals have the potential to be a great team, with one of the best offenses in the NFL. However, this is a tough first game of the season. Zac Taylor and Joe Burrow have struggled in games early in the season. Burrow is 4-8 ATS in games during Weeks 1 and 2. Baker Mayfield just signed a big new contract and will be feeling himself coming into this game. Mayfield is 3-0 in his career against Joe Burrow and the Bengals as well. This is a game to avoid, with better spots to take the Bengals on the schedule down the line.
