NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 6: Opening Lines Report

There were a couple big upsets that impacted NFL Survivor Pool players in Week 5. The Chiefs choked up another big lead for the second time in four weeks and lost at home as 10-point favorites, and the Browns also pulled a mild upset on the road at the Ravens. Those losses essentially ended the season for those favored teams, and the Chiefs are in especially bad shape because they lost star RB Jamaal Charles to a season-ending knee injury.

Kansas City lost all their momentum after Charles went down early in the second half and squandered a two-touchdown lead to fall to 1-4 on the season with a road date with Minnesota set for Sunday. Sometimes the NFL comes down to confidence, and it seems like all the confidence has been sucked out of this Kansas City Chiefs team. Their season is over, and they will have a hard time winning too many more games this season as their offense was pretty much centered around Charles and that defense that was supposed to be so good has not performed anywhere near expectations. This is a team that will be in the running for a Top 5 draft pick, and they are a team to fade in Survivor Pools the rest of the way out.

Here’s my opening line report with some NFL Survivor Pool picks for Week 6. I will comment on the games with favorites of more than a field goal.

NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 6: Opening Lines Report

Atlanta -3.5 at New Orleans

The Cardiac Kids from Atlanta did it again on Sunday with a late rally for the home win over Washington. I really thought the Falcons were on upset alert in that game, but this team just keeps finding ways to get it done. They should be able to take care of a broken Saints team this Thursday. There are a couple red flags here for Week 5 Survivor Pool players that you might want to consider, however. Of course, you always want to stay away from road teams unless there are absolutely no better options available. This is also a division and rivalry game. And these Thursday games normally favor the home team when both squads are on short rest. But the Saints looked awful on Sunday, and Atlanta should be able to take care of business here. Atlanta has a pretty easy forthcoming schedule and could cruise to a 12-4 or better record by season’s end.

Denver -4 at Cleveland

Another road favorite here. This is one, however, that I would advise staying far away from for your Week 6 NFL Survivor Pool picks. Denver has scored the least touchdowns out of all the undefeated teams. And two of those have played one less game! This team does have a good defense, but I think they are going to go through some rough spots this season and lose some games. They will win the division because KC and San Diego have both underachieved and the Raiders are still at least a year away, but this is just not a very strong team. They are finding ways to win, but I would put them on upset alert this week. Cleveland is underrated right now, and they are playing with a lot of fire. They won’t be a pushover on Sunday at home.

Minnesota -3.5 vs. Kansas City

Do the bookies know something I don’t? This line looks awfully short and will probably grow as the week progresses. I know I have already bet on Minnesota at this line and think that this number is a steal. The Chiefs looked totally deflated after Charles left the game on Sunday, and that lethargy will probably permeate the team for the rest of the season. Minnesota is coming off a bye and at home, and they should be very motivated here coming off a loss. This one is a no-brainer and would be a very solid Week 6 NFL Survivor Pool pick.

New York Jets -5 vs. Washington

I said last week that I really like the Redskins as an underdog this season. They are playing great defense and run the ball well. That is the kind of team that can pull upsets. They scored one of the biggest upsets of the season last year against the Cowboys, and that one knocked a bunch of people out of their Survivor Pools. I think they’re good for a couple more upsets this season. This would not be a big upset. I actually think this is an inflated line and already took a flyer on the visiting team. The Jets do come off their bye and have that going for them. But this should be a field goal-type game. Really be wary of picking against the Skins this season.

Seattle -6.5 vs. Carolina

This line just shows how reputation counts for a lot when bookies are setting their betting numbers. How else would a 2-3 team be this big of a favorite over a 4-0 team coming off a bye week? This is another case where I like the underdog a lot. Seattle will be desperate for a win here and will probably get it. But I think this line is inflated. And the Hawks might be in for a letdown after that crazy game they lost in overtime on Sunday against the Bengals. This should be a hard-fought, low-scoring game, and you just can’t trust Seattle right now with your Survivor Pool picks.

Green Bay -10 vs. San Diego

As I write this the Chargers are about to take the field for their home Monday Night Football game vs. Pittsburgh. This line has been released at several sportsbooks. Several have the game off the board pending MNF. But the Packers will very likely be the biggest favorite on the board unless the Chargers just destroy the Steelers. Most people have already used Green Bay in their pool, but if you haven’t then take all the thought out of strategy and just go with the Packers. This team likely won’t lose all season at home, and they have San Diego off a short week and flying across the country. And San Diego kind of stinks, too. This one is a no-brainer for those that haven’t used Green Bay or for those in second-chance pools.

New England -7.5 at Indianapolis

This line is off the board at many books as well because of the health status of Colts QB Andrew Luck. All indications are that he will be good to go. This line is as high as 9.5 at some books that are offering it. I took New England in Week 1, and many Survivor Pool players have used them already. For those that haven’t, they will probably win here. But there are much better spots this week than taking a road favorite in a rivalry like this. I’m sure the Colts have had this game circled since the playoffs last year. Indy has not looked good, but I expect an exciting game here.

Philadelphia -3.5 vs. New York Giants

New York is one of the surprise teams this season and is leading the NFC East at 3-2. The Eagles looked really good on Sunday, but that was only against New Orleans, so I’m not ready to say that this team is back yet. I think this is a game for Survivor Pool players to stay away from. I for sure like the Vikings at home against the Chiefs a lot better than I do this game even though the line is the same.