NFL Survivor Pool Strategy and Advice: Taking a Page out of Gruden’s Playbook

When it comes to great football coaches having an impact on the NFL, a name often overlooked is current ESPN Analyst, Monday Night Football host, and Former NFL Super Bowl-winning head coach Jon Gruden.

In 1995 Gruden was one of the youngest offensive coordinators in the NFL with the Philadelphia Eagles. His offensive philosophy was to run as many different run and pass plays out of the same formation as possible. While many teams ran a play or two out of the same formation, Gruden’s offense went a step further, including running the same motion of receivers and tight ends and the same calls from the quarterback so defenses would not be able to guess what play was coming or completely guess wrong, allowing for a successful offensive play.

When Gruden became head coach of the Oakland Raiders, he used this same offensive philosophy to carry his team to the 2000 AFC Championship (the infamous tuck rule prevented a return trip in 2001). Gruden’s offensive system was still in place in 2002 when the Oakland Raiders represented the AFC in Super Bowl XXXVII.

In 2002 Gruden became the Head Coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and he installed his offensive system and led the Buccaneers to a victory in Super Bowl XXXVII over his former team, the Raiders, who were also running Gruden’s offensive system. In every sense Gruden led two teams to the Super Bowl in the same year. That’s pretty amazing.

Another Gruden strategy that has been adopted by just about every team in the NFL is breaking down the long NFL Season into quarters. Games 1-4, Games 5-8, Games 9-12 and Games 13-16. Gruden knew his team was not the same team in Week 3 as they were in Week 8, and the teams they were playing were also not the same teams at different parts of the season.

While this is very fascinating stuff about how Gruden impacted the NFL, you might be wondering what this has to do with winning your NFL Survivor Pool. First, like Gruden, have a plan and stick to it to be successful. Here at SurvivorPoolPicks.com we have lots of articles with proven strategies to help guide you through the season.

Second, like Gruden and the rest of the NFL, break the season down into quarters. Games 1-4 usually include divisional games and rivalry games. These games are treacherous if you have not been paying attention to the offseason or to the preseason.

Games 5-8 are where teams start playing outside their division and outside their conference. Pay close attention to travel and game start times during these weeks.

Games 9-12 mark a return of rivalry and divisional games. This is also where bad teams start to slide back and good teams start to emerge. This is a good time to look ahead to Weeks 13-16 as weeks 15 and 16 are nothing but divisional matchups with many playoff implications on the line. If you are still alive and it looks like your contest will make it to Week 17, plan to use these teams in Week 13 or Week 14.

With a strategic plan and breakdown of the season, you are ready for your Survivor Pool season. Be sure to thank Gruden!