NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 3: Advice and Predictions

by Spencer Toth - 9/17/2025

NFL survivor pool picks Week 3 James Cook Buffalo Bills

Two weeks down, fifteen weeks to go. The task of surviving an NFL season will not be getting any easier, but we are already 11.8% done with the regular season. Week 2 was a relatively straightforward week, with the Minnesota Vikings being the only team favored by 4 or more points to lose outright. For our official pick last week, we had quite the sweat with the Dallas Cowboys in one of the best games of the season. We also took the Buccaneers as a contrarian selection, who also got the victory in dramatic fashion. It doesn’t matter how you survive, just that you do, and it’s time to look ahead to the upcoming week. There are a few heavy favorites to choose from, and here are your 16 survivor pool selections ranked from most to least confident for Week 3.

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Buffalo Bills (-11.5) Over Miami Dolphins

The Buffalo Bills are the biggest favorite of the week, and rightfully so. The Bills were dominant on both sides of the ball after their Week 1 thriller, and will undoubtedly improve to 3-0 this season. Miami is a complete dumpster fire right now, and survivor pool picks don’t get much more free than this one. However, the Bills have approximately 10 more games on their schedule where they will be a massive favorite, and we won’t be using them this week as a result.

Green Bay Packers (-8.5) Over Cleveland Browns

The Packers have extra rest after playing on Thursday last week, and they will make it look easy in Cleveland. The arrival of Micah Parsons has amplified their dominance on defense, and the Browns will look helpless on offense. Jordan Love has been consistent on the other side of the ball, while the Browns' defense looks like a shadow of its former self. This is a pick I nearly pulled the trigger on and wouldn’t blame you if you did. However, Green Bay has easy matchups in Weeks 6 (Bengals), 9 (Panthers), and 11 (Giants) this season. There aren’t many other good options to look forward to then, so saving the Packers is the right move to make.

Seattle Seahawks (-7.5) Over New Orleans Saints

Fading the Saints is never a bad idea in your survivor pool, and the Seahawks will be our official selection this week. Spencer Rattler and the Saints offense showed signs of life against the 49ers, but that was against Mac Jones and a banged-up offense. Sam Darnold certainly has his flaws, but this is a must-win for Seattle if they are serious about making the playoffs. There is no shortage of pass catchers for Darnold, and the Saints' tendency to leave gaping holes in the middle of the field will come back to bite them. There won’t be a better chance to use Seattle this season, so let’s fire away with the Seahawks.

Kansas City Chiefs (-5.5) Over New York Giants

This is a must-win game for the Kansas City Chiefs, and it’s not a bad time to put your survivor pool life in the hands of Patrick Mahomes. A desperate Kansas City side will steamroll their way to New York, and this Giants defense will not have a response. Russell Wilson may be able to keep this one close, but it is impossible to imagine the Chiefs dropping to 0-3.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6.5) Over New York Jets

The Buccaneers are a solid choice this week when they welcome the Jets to town. New York’s defense has fallen off a cliff, and they certainly don’t have the offense to compensate for it. Baker Mayfield has found ways to win games like these time and time again and is another good choice this week.

Philadelphia Eagles (-3.5) Over Los Angeles Rams

The Eagles have been able to bully their way to victory over the last few seasons, and there is no reason why the Rams will halt their win streak. Los Angeles is a dangerous team in their own right, but the Eagles are simply on another level. Philly’s ability to dominate the trenches, while plugging and playing on defense, will allow them to win this matchup. However, this is still a game where they could get upset while they have several games against easier opponents still on the schedule. I would stay away.

Los Angeles Chargers (-2.5) Over Denver Broncos
While taking the Chargers is a good pick for this week, given how dominant they have looked, there is no reason to burn them against a competent Broncos side with other options on the board. Justin Herbert is proving he is one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and as long as he can stay upright, he will pick apart the Broncos' defense.

Indianapolis Colts (-4.5) Over Tennessee Titans

Daniel Jones has yet to end a drive with a punt in a Colts uniform. The former Giant has looked automatic for Indianapolis, and this will be a fun matchup between two budding quarterbacks. The Colts will get the job done more often than not, but Cam Ward is still waiting for his breakout game in his rookie year. Maybe that comes here, maybe not. Riding the hot hand with Indianapolis now before they crash back down to Earth isn’t a bad move either.

Atlanta Falcons (-5.5) Over Carolina Panthers

The Falcons looked dominant against the Vikings on Monday night, and fading the Panthers is rarely a bad move. However, Atlanta has been far too inconsistent with Michael Penix Jr. in the pocket, and we can’t trust Robinson and Allgeier to accumulate 218 rushing yards again. Once you factor in that this is a divisional matchup too, the Panthers will bring their A-game. This could quickly turn into the first survivor pool trap of the season.

New England Patriots (+1.5) Over Pittsburgh Steelers

New England showed that their offense is thriving under Drake Maye and that they have the defense needed to put it to use. On the other side of the field, the Steelers got a mirage of what Aaron Rodgers could be, but he no longer is. Pittsburgh’s defense could always steal this one, but the Patriots at home are the way to go if you want to use up a mediocre team this week.

Chicago Bears (PK) Over Dallas Cowboys

Chicago is due for an offensive explosion, and a vulnerable Dallas defense is the perfect victim. The Bears' defense hasn’t been much better, but they are due for some positive regression on that side of the ball. You never know what you are going to get from the Dallas Cowboys, but this certainly feels like a good spot to fade them.

Arizona Cardinals (+1.5) Over San Francisco 49ers

Arizona took care of business against its first two opponents, but now faces a real challenge against the 49ers. While they will probably get the victory, Kyler Murray can’t be trusted against competent opposition, and the 49ers are still dangerous even with Mac Jones at the helm.

Houston Texans (+1.5) Over Jacksonville Jaguars

The AFC South suddenly has life, but you shouldn’t put your survivor pool life in the hands of either of these teams. Too much inconsistency from both sides in this divisional matchup, and it’s better to just stay away.

Minnesota Vikings (-3) Over Cincinnati Bengals

Carson Wentz vs Jake Browning. How much better does it get? Wentz is starting for his sixth team in the last six seasons, and that is not a good sign for a journeyman quarterback. Meanwhile, the Bengals' defense is atrocious, and we can’t trust Jake Browning to lead Cincinnati to a big offensive showing. There are no excuses for using either of these teams this early in your survivor pool season.

Washington Commanders (-3.5) Over Las Vegas Raiders

If Jayden Daniels plays, this is a great pick to make. However, injury concerns around Washington’s star quarterback make the Commanders a no-go this week. Don’t try to get cute with the Raiders either, as Las Vegas has countless offensive problems of its own to worry about.

Baltimore Ravens (-5.5) Over Detroit Lions

There is no reason to use either of these strong teams against one another. Don’t let the 5.5 point spread fool you, the Ravens are far from a safe pick this week against Detroit.

Official Pick of the Week: Seattle Seahawks Over New Orleans Saints

Contrarian Survivor Pool Pick of the Week: Los Angeles Chargers Over Denver Broncos

Teams Used: Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys

Status: Alive

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Start:	September 17, 2025 @ 10:00 PM
Expert:	Scott Spreitzer
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NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 3: Advice and Predictions

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