NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 12: Advice and Predictions
The most difficult feat you can achieve in the world of sports betting is to last an entire season in your NFL survivor pool. The grueling 18-week season means you will have to use more than half of the teams this season, and a single defeat spells the end of your survivor pool dreams. Last week, there weren’t any major upsets, as the Falcons (-3.5) and Chiefs (-3.5) were the biggest favorites to lose outright. For our picks, we successfully selected the Ravens as our official pick and the Cowboys as our contrarian pick, both of which won by at least a touchdown. Week 12 features a trio of double-digit favorites to choose from, but with more than 1/3 of the teams already used, you may be running out of relatively safe options. With just seven weeks to go, we will also provide key scheduling analysis to help you make the best decision heading into this crucial week. Let’s jump right into your survivor pool picks for Week 12, ranked from most to least confident.
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Baltimore Ravens (-13.5) Over New York Jets
The Ravens have won ten of the last eleven meetings between these two teams and will easily take care of business this week. Baltimore still has lots of work to do after their slow start, and a relatively easy home game against the free-falling Jets is a great opportunity for a free win. They are playing solid football on both sides of the ball, while the Jets are just trying to stay remotely competitive after selling at the trade deadline. There are a few other solid options this week if you want to save the Ravens, and there is a good chance you have already used them, as we did last week. However, if you haven’t used Baltimore yet, now is the time to do so. They don’t have any easy games left on their schedule, as they have a pair against each of their division rivals, the Bengals and Steelers, and one matchup against the Packers and Patriots. This is the last chance to pick up a ‘free win’ with Baltimore.
Detroit Lions (-10.5) Over New York Giants
The Lions will be livid after losing to the Eagles last week in embarrassing fashion, and they will take out their frustration against a helpless Giants side. New York is already looking ahead to the 2026 NFL draft and won’t put up much of a fight in this matchup. The Lions have alternated wins and losses in each of the last six weeks, as they often bounce back nicely after suffering defeat. They do still have a game against the Cowboys in a couple of weeks, and Dallas could be out of playoff contention for that matchup. However, we don’t want to risk leaving the Lions unused, and this is a great chance to do so if you have already selected the Ravens.
Seattle Seahawks (-13.5) Over Tennessee Titans
The Seahawks will probably win this game with ease, but this feels a lot more trappy than the other big double-digit favorites. Cam Ward is due to break out, and he has already improved after a disastrous opening to the year. The Titans have yet to win at home, and they will certainly be looking to take advantage of any mistakes from Sam Darnold. While this one may stay close, the Seahawks will still win as they simply have too much talent on both sides of the ball. However, unlike the previously mentioned teams, Seattle still has several easy matchups on their schedule, and there is an argument for saving them for down the line.
New England Patriots (-7.5) Over Cincinnati Bengals
The New England Patriots will be our official survivor pool selection of the week. Drake Maye is playing like the MVP, the Patriots' defense is strong, and a struggling Bengals side will now be without their star wide receiver after Ja’Marr Chase spat on an opponent last week. New England currently owns the AFC East, and another win here would pile the pressure on the Buffalo Bills. The Patriots do have an easy schedule left, but this is still the best time to use them up. They have the Giants next week, but there are several large spreads to choose from in Week 13. New England also has the Dolphins and Jets in the final two games of the year, but saving the league’s top dogs for Weeks 17 and 18 can be risky if they have nothing to play for. This feels like a great chance to use New England, and we will do exactly that with our life on the line.
Buffalo Bills (-5.5) Over Houston Texans
The Buffalo Bills are in a great spot heading into this matchup against the Texans' backup quarterback, Davis Mills. Facing Josh Allen on a short week is a nightmare for defensive coordinators, and if your league allows Thursday night picks, the Bills are a fantastic option. Buffalo is the better team on both sides of the ball, and they will be able to take advantage of the Texans' abysmal offensive line. The Bills do have a Week 18 matchup against the Jets, but who knows if that will mean anything, and they also have a road matchup against the Browns in Week 16. There are a couple of spots to use Buffalo if you haven’t already, but against Davis Mills and the Texans offense, this certainly feels like nearly a free victory.
Los Angeles Rams (-6.5) Over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
I am not sure if this counts as a contrarian selection, but we will bend the rules slightly to use the Rams in that department. Los Angeles will not be a popular pick this week as the public knows the Buccaneers have upset potential, but they are simply too well-rounded to lose to Tampa Bay. The Rams' balanced offense will be able to slice apart the Buccaneers' defense, which really struggles to shut down strong passing games. Matthew Stafford won’t face much resistance, and Baker Mayfield will be unable to outscore the Bucs' defensive lapses. There are a few winnable road games left for Los Angeles, but they don’t have many layups left at home, making them a solid contrarian pick.
Chicago Bears (-2.5) Over Pittsburgh Steelers
The Bears continue to roll with eight wins in their last nine games, and a busted-up Aaron Rodgers will not be the one to halt their momentum. Chicago is at home, they are on top of the NFC North, and will be able to get some revenge on their longtime rival quarterback. Pittsburgh has needed insane turnover luck to beat good teams, and I am confident enough in Chicago to put them in that category. They have a home game against the Browns down the road, but their schedule is otherwise littered with tough games. If the short spread has you worried, remember the Steelers are 1-12 in Chicago all-time, including 0-2 under Mike Tomlin.
San Francisco 49ers (-7) Over Carolina Panthers
The 49ers have managed to keep winning despite a long list of injuries, and they are slowly getting healthier as the season progresses. They take on a Panthers side that relies on the run to succeed, but that won’t work well against the 49ers' strong run defense. When Bryce Young steps back to pass, Carolina will be unable to generate the usual momentum they get from their running back duo. The 49ers are a great pick this week, but with the Browns and Titans being their next two opponents, we will likely save them and use them in the very near future.
Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) Over Dallas Cowboys
Divisional games bring added unpredictability, but we will still side with the Eagles in Week 12. Dallas may have a slight advantage on offense, but that will be more than cancelled out by the Eagles' dominant defense. Philadelphia can virtually lock up the NFC East with a victory here, and I don’t expect them to stumble in a crucial game. They do still have a pair of games against the Commanders and one against the Raiders this year, so I would look elsewhere as fading the Cowboys offense is always scary.
Jacksonville Jaguars (-2.5) Over Arizona Cardinals
The Jacksonville Jaguars have flown under the radar this season, but they are 6-4 and inside the AFC playoff picture. Trevor Lawrence has been solid, and the real difference between these two is their ability to finish off drives and games. The Cardinals have fallen short in close games, while the Jaguars prevail. A pair of games left against the Titans and one against the Jets means we will save the Jaguars for down the line.
Green Bay Packers (-6.5) Over Minnesota Vikings
Technically, we will side with the Packers in this one, but this is a huge trap game for survivor pool players. Minnesota already beat them once, and has the defense needed to pile misery on the struggling Packers offense. It’s probably best to just stay away.
New Orleans Saints (-1.5) Over Atlanta Falcons
If you want to get crazy, the Saints are a legal pick to make this week. They are just 2-8 this season, but do have one more win than Atlanta in the last five games. Kirk Cousins is getting the start for the Falcons, and we all saw how his only other start this year went. Scheduling-wise, the Saints have an incredibly easy rest of the season, with games against the Titans, Falcons (again), Jets, and Dolphins still to go. It feels weird to ‘save the 2-8 Saints,’ but you never know how the final weeks of the season will go down.
Kansas City Chiefs (-3.5) Over Indianapolis Colts
Don’t touch this one. A desperate Chiefs team against a rested Colts side coming off the bye adds unpredictability to this matchup. Both of these teams are also viable candidates later this year.
Las Vegas Raiders (-3.5) Over Cleveland Browns
You don’t have to worry about using either of these dumpster fires this year. Ignore this game, don’t even think about it.
Official Pick of the Week: New England Patriots Over Cincinnati Bengals
Contrarian Survivor Pool Pick of the Week: Los Angeles Rams Over Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Teams Used: Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons, Los Angeles Rams, Detroit Lions, Baltimore Ravens
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