Week 9 NFL Survivor Pool Picks: Opening Line Report

Sorry this blog post is late; I normally try and get this Opening Line Report up by Monday or Tuesday, but I had a very busy week and just didn’t have the time. I did update on Twitter that I had no interest in the Thursday Night Football game from a Survivor Pool perspective, so let’s dive into the analysis here for Week 9 for the Sunday and Monday games. As I do every week, I will provide insight into most of the favorites that are laying 3.5 or more points. And then I will give my Top 3 recommendations at the bottom of the post.

Week 9 NFL Survivor Pool Picks: Opening Line Report

Minnesota -4.5 vs. Detroit: I have already used the Vikings in my second-chance pool, but if I hadn’t I would be very interested in picking them this week for Survivor Pools. They are my top betting wager this week, and I think they win this one comfortably. Neither team looked good in Week 8, but the Vikings played a Top 3 team in New Orleans while the Lions were embarrassed by the Seahawks at home. Detroit hasn’t played well on the road this season, and the Vikings are in a prime bounce-back spot. And Lions management shipping Golden Tate out of town has to have an effect on team morale here. Detroit has given the Vikings trouble in the past, but we think Minnesota takes care of business here on Sunday.

Kansas City -8.5 at Cleveland: I don’t like this pick at all. This is probably a trap game for Kansas City, and I am seriously thinking about betting the Browns plus the points as I think this should be a close game. Kansas City is coming off their big home win against division-rival Denver, and they have their big game against the Rams in Mexico City in two weeks. Cleveland fired their coach and offensive coordinator after their loss to Pittsburgh on Sunday, and maybe these guy’s message wasn’t resonating with the players anymore and this might give the team some extra motivation on Sunday. This team sure does have talent, and this will probably be a competitive game. I don’t do much looking ahead for Survivor Pool picks, but Kansas City does host the Cardinals next week, so if you haven’t used them yet then that is probably a better spot.

Carolina -6.5 vs. Tampa Bay: We wish Tampa Bay QB Jameis Winston was in here for the Bucs; he looks like an official bust. But the Bucs have switched to Ryan Fitzpatrick, who gives Tampa Bay the best chance to win these days. But I will say right away here that the Panthers were my pick this week in all available Survivor Pool slots. They are quietly having a very nice season. They have won four of five, and those Ws included victories over Philly, Baltimore and Cincinnati. Tampa Bay is 1-3 on the road this season, and this team is just a mess with many injuries and all the QB drama. This was an easy call and my top pick for the week.

Chicago -10 at Buffalo: Speaking of QB drama, the Bills can be added to the list of teams with no clue at the most important position on the field. They are hopeless right now. But the Bears have lost two of three, with their only win against the Jets at home on Sunday. Chicago is just 1-2 on the road this season. I don’t really trust them that much on the road right now. If this one was in Chicago, the Bears would probably be my top choice for Week 9. However, on the road I think this is a Survivor Pool pick to stay away from unless the home team options are unavailable to you.

New England -5.5 vs. Green Bay: As we saw last week, you can never count Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers out of any game, against any opponent. They had a great chance to win against the Rams as a big underdog. And now on Sunday we get to see a rare meeting between Rodgers and Brady. I used the Patriots last week as many did, but I would not touch them this week as this should be another close game. Green Bay needs this one more than the Pats, and we think they will challenge for the win on Sunday Night Football.

Dallas -5.5 vs. Tennessee: I couldn’t fault anyone for taking the Cowboys here in Week 9. This is a team I generally stay away from, at least until late in the season when there aren’t many other options. Dallas has alternated wins and losses all season, but they are undefeated at home (winless on the road). Tennessee has lost three straight after a three-game winning streak. I don’t like this game from a betting perspective or a Survivor Pool perspective, and I think anything could happen in this one.

Week 9 NFL Survivor Pool Picks Top 3 Picks:

No. 1 Carolina

No. 2 Minnesota

No. 3 Chicago