NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 9: Advice and Predictions

by Spencer Toth - 10/29/2025

NFL survivor pool picks Week 9 Puka Nacua Los Angeles Rams

We are rapidly approaching the halfway mark of the NFL season, and there are fewer than 10% of survivor pool entries remaining. The favorites went 11-2 straight up, with the Falcons (-7.5) and Bengals (-6.5) being the only two upsets. Unfortunately for us, the Falcons were the column's official pick of the week. I hope you followed in my footsteps and switched your selection once Michael Penix Jr. was ruled out, as we all saw what a dramatic drop-off Kirk Cousins represents in the Falcons' offense. There are a few wide spreads to choose from in Week 9, so let’s jump right into the survivor pool picks for this week. We will make a selection in all 14 games, ranking them from most to least confident.

Doc’s Sports offers NFL expert picks for every game on our NFL predictions page.

Los Angeles Rams (-14.5) Over New Orleans Saints

There is a lot to like about the Rams right now as they come up against Tyler Shough in his first career start. Los Angeles is coming off their bye, they are at home, and are worthy of this massive -1150 moneyline pricetag. Leading receiver Puka Nacua is expected to make his return from injury, as the Rams are firing on all cylinders coming off their bye week. The same can’t be said for the Saints, who have struggled mightily on the offensive side of the ball. Shough is not going to instantly transform this offense, as the lack of a solid run game has hindered their ability to put points on the board. Los Angeles is the most confident pick of the week, and will be our official selection as they have a difficult schedule in the second half of the year.

Green Bay Packers (-13.5) Over Carolina Panthers

The Green Bay Packers are the other massive favorite this week and are not far behind the Rams in terms of confidence. The Panthers are a respectable 4-4 this year, but their offense has fallen apart in the last few weeks. Bryce Young is expected to miss this matchup, and there aren’t many good reasons to have faith in Andy Dalton at this stage of his career. Green Bay was able to slow down a red-hot Steelers offense last week and will be able to shut down the Panthers on that side of the ball. Jordan Love has also been playing consistent football, and it is hard to envision the Panthers pulling off this upset. Green Bay has only the Giants left as a clear layup game on their schedule, making them a good team to use if you haven’t already.

Los Angeles Chargers (-8.5) Over Tennessee Titans

The Chargers have been inconsistent on the road over the last few years, but they will still be able to beat up on a struggling Titans side. Cam Ward hasn’t gotten any help during his first year in Tennessee, while the Chargers continue to take care of business against the league’s bottom feeders. Los Angeles has a rest advantage too, and is a solid choice this week. However, they still have the Raiders and Cowboys left on their schedule, and I would recommend taking one of the previously mentioned teams if you can save Los Angeles for another day.

New England Patriots (-5.5) Over Atlanta Falcons

The Patriots have won five games in a row, and are one of the most confident survivor pool picks of the week. Meanwhile, the Falcons are free-falling; they have serious problems on both sides of the ball, and can’t even blame injuries for their demise. Drake Maye is playing the best football of his young career and has cemented himself among the league’s best QBs. While this is certainly a confident pick, the Patriots still have the Dolphins, Bengals, Giants, and a pair of games against the Jets left on their schedule. There will be lots of opportunities to use New England, so save them if you can.

Chicago Bears (-3) Over Cincinnati Bengals

This will be our official contrarian pick of the week. If you are looking to avoid the big favorites so you can root for upsets, the Bears are the way to go. Cincinnati has one of the worst defenses the league has ever seen, giving up 39 points to the lowly Jets last week. Stopping Caleb Williams and a well-rounded Bears offense will be impossible, and we can’t trust Joe Flacco to keep pace with the boatload of points Chicago will inevitably score.

Detroit Lions (-8.5) Over Minnesota Vikings

The Lions are a strong pick, as their spread suggests. I am just a little hesitant given the circumstances of this game. The Lions are coming off their bye, but the Vikings will also have had extended rest since they played on Thursday last week. JJ McCarthy is also expected to be back for Minnesota, and divisional matchups can produce strange results. However, the Lions' offense is very consistent, and they are showing what they are capable of now that they are healthy.

Indianapolis Colts (-3) Over Pittsburgh Steelers

The Colts are a nice pick this week as Daniel Jones and company continue to steamroll their opponents. Jonathan Taylor has three or more touchdowns in three games this season, and the Steelers' defense will be truly helpless. Aaron Rodgers has been able to put the team on his shoulders before, but we still can’t trust Pittsburgh with their defensive downfalls. There will be several more chances to use Indianapolis later this year, so while I’m confident, it’s best to look elsewhere.

Baltimore Ravens (-7.5) Over Miami Dolphins

This is a large spread for this late on the list, but we cannot put our survivor pool life in the hands of the Ravens at this stage of the season. Lamar Jackson will be back, but we just saw the Dolphins pick apart a usually sound Falcons defense last week. Baltimore has struggled on that side of the ball, and a short week throws in even more variance for this matchup. If the Ravens are back on track, we can use them down the line. If not, you will be happy you stayed away.

San Francisco 49ers (-2.5) Over New York Giants

The 49ers have managed to squeak out close wins this season and will probably be able to do so again when they head to New York. Losing Cam Skattebo will affect the Giants both on and off the field, as he was the heart and soul of this franchise. We can’t quite trust the 49ers right now, given their foggy quarterback situation, but they still aren’t a terrible pick this week.

Houston Texans (-1.5) Over Denver Broncos

Houston has turned its season around after a disastrous start and will be able to keep the vibes high against the Broncos. Bo Nix has been able to distract the media from his poor three quarters with one offensive explosion per game, but that won’t work against a strong Texans defense. Houston is the hotter team that has faced tough opponents lately, and they get the nod here. However, they still have a few easy games against their weak divisional opponents, plus a pair of home games against the Cardinals and Raiders later this year. It’s better to hold onto them if possible.

Jacksonville Jaguars (-3) Over Las Vegas Raiders

The Raiders have had time to reset after their 31-0 drubbing against the Chiefs two weeks ago, and could be on upset watch this week. Geno Smith is better than what he has shown this season and will eventually regress to his usual form with the Raiders. The lean still goes in Jacksonville's direction, but this one smells fishy with both teams coming off their bye week.

Arizona Cardinals (+2.5) Over Dallas Cowboys

The Dallas offense is amazing, but their defense lets them down time and time again. The Cardinals do a good job at managing the clock, keeping possession, and finishing their drives with points on the board. Dallas will struggle to get stops, but they can also outscore their defensive lapses without too many issues. Neither of these teams should fill you with confidence this week, and you won’t lose sleep by avoiding this one entirely.

Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) Over Washington Commanders

Who knows what we will see from Washington? Their offense always looks poised for a big showing, and their defense was surprisingly sound against the Chiefs last week. The edge goes to Seattle, which is coming off its bye week, but it is hard to pick either side in this matchup with much confidence.

Kansas City Chiefs (+1.5) Over Buffalo Bills

These are two of the best teams in the league facing off, and using either side would be a very foolish thing to do. You want to save both of these teams for easier matchups, and it is hard to be very confident in either side in this clash of AFC titans.

Official Pick of the Week: Los Angeles Rams Over New Orleans Saints

Contrarian Survivor Pool Pick of the Week: Chicago Bears Over Cincinnati Bengals

Teams Used: Denver Broncos, Dallas Cowboys, Seattle Seahawks, Buffalo Bills, Indianapolis Colts, Green Bay Packers, Kansas City Chiefs, Atlanta Falcons

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Start:	October 29, 2025 @ 8:00 PM
Expert:	August Young
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NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 9: Advice and Predictions

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