NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 8: Opening Line Report

Only three upsets in Week 7. And none of the favored teams that lost were popular Survivor Pool options. Although Survivor Pool players had to sweat out a couple games, it turned out to be the easiest week of the season so far in what has been a pretty easy Survivor Pool season. I have a feeling there will be some shocking upsets in the coming weeks. Every season there is a “Black Sunday” where so many of the favorites go down.

Every week of the NFL season we will go over the matchups for the week and look at the opening lines.

Minnesota -16 vs. Washington: In a normal season, I don’t like to play Thursday Night Football games for Survivor Pools. But this is not a normal season. There are some really bad teams in the NFL this season, and the Redskins are one of them. Minnesota is finally playing to their potential after a slow start, and this will be my pick for NFL Survivor Pool picks Week 8.

Pittsburgh -14.5 vs. Miami: Another horrible Monday Night Football game. The Dolphins are going to be facing double-digit spreads every week. I saw one second-chance Survivor Pool where they implemented a rule that you can’t go against the Dolphins. I still think Miami will win a game when all is said and done. Certainly like the Vikings better than the Steelers as they are the better team. The Steelers likely win here, however.

LA Rams -13.5 vs. Cincinnati: Despite their record, the Bengals have been competitive and have come close to a couple wins. But the lights seem to have gone back on in Los Angeles, and the Rams played well last week in their blowout of the Falcons. Wouldn’t be too excited to lay the big points here as I think the Rams have some problems, but they should be able to notch the W in Europe.

New England -13 vs. Cleveland: The Pats just keep rolling. They have faced a comically easy schedule so far. In the preseason this one looked like it might be a good game. Not so much. But this is the point where the Pats schedule gets tougher. I think the Browns will bring their A Game, but not sure if it will be enough.

New Orleans -9.5 vs. Arizona: I have stated it before and will say it again; the Cardinals will pull an upset or two before the season is over. Their offense can put up some points if it’s clicking. This game is off the board at some books. Teddy Bridgewater has been very solid in relief of Drew Brees. The veteran QB is questionable this week, and if Brees is able to make the start then Saints become a very solid pick for Week 8 Survivor Pools.

Detroit -7 vs. NY Giants: The Lions are a decent team. Everyone thought they would stink this season, but they have played well above expectations. But this team isn’t that good. And even though the Giants stink, this could very well be a close game and for sure a winnable one for New York. I would pass on this one as a potential Survivor Pool pick.

Houston -6.5 vs. Oakland: Another really tough game for the Raiders. If the Patriots had the Raiders schedule this season, would they still be undefeated? I doubt it. Oakland is a much-improved team. But the travel and strength of schedule seems to be wearing on this squad. I think Houston is a decent pick for Week 8.

Jacksonville -6 vs. NY Jets: The Jets are really bad. I think their win over Dallas was more on the Cowboys than anything the Jets did well. Then they followed that up with one of the worst performances of the season in their Monday Night Football loss to New England. They come in on a short week here. But I just can’t get to excited about this middling Jaguars squad.

Indianapolis -6 vs. Denver: The Colts look pretty good in this matchup. Denver had looked like they had new life after playing well for two weeks in a row, but then they couldn’t do anything right in their Thursday Week 7 loss at home to the Chiefs. The Colts are the much better squad, and I don’t think the extra rest for Denver will make much of a difference.

San Francisco -5.5 vs. Carolina: Don’t like the Niners here for Survivor Pools and think this is an inflated line. Carolina is quietly getting the job done with Kyle Allen at QB. San Francisco has played a very easy schedule, so their record is somewhat smoke and mirrors. I expect a close game here in Week 8.

Chicago -4 vs. LA Chargers: The Bears are not nearly as good as last season’s club, and who knows what’s going on with the bad-luck Chargers. This is a really tough game to call, and I have wavered back and forth a couple times on who I think will cover the spread. I think this is a good game to stay away from with two unpredictable teams.

Green Bay -4 at Kansas City: Word came out today that Pat Mahomes is already practicing off his knee injury. They probably won’t rush him into action, but there is a small chance he could play. I think the Chiefs will play well regardless. They come in with extra rest, and this team has tons of talent besides their MVP QB. And the defense looked like it might have finally turned a corner against the Broncos.

Seattle -3.5 at Atlanta: This game is off the board at many sportsbooks because of the questionable status of Falcons QB Matt Ryan. There are much better plays for Survivor Pools this week whether Ryan plays or not.

Tennessee -2.5 vs. Tampa Bay: I kind of like the underdog in this one. Tampa Bay is coming off the bye, and they should be competitive here. This one is pretty much a coin flip as to who wins, but I will probably take the points.

Buffalo -2 vs. Philadelphia: This one is kind of a must win for the Eagles, who are the better team despite underachieving so far. Another game where I like the underdog!