NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 2: Advice and Predictions

by Spencer Toth - 9/15/2026

NFL survivor pool picks Week 2 Brock Purdy San Francisco 49ers

All season long, Doc’s Sports will be bringing survivor pool picks to help you stay ahead of the competition. Which team you take will depend on your exact pool format like the number of strikes or number of competitors, but this will be a useful guide on making your predictions. Last week, we had a massive survivor pool upset with the Los Angeles Chargers losing outright to the Arizona Cardinals. Nearly 30% of survivor pool entrants picked the Chargers, meaning if you survived, you are already in a great spot to make a deep run. All 16 teams are in action once again, and here are your survivor pool picks for Week 2 of the new season ranked from most to least confident.

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

San Francisco 49ers (-13.5) Over Miami Dolphins

The San Francisco 49ers are right at the top of the league in terms of perceived skill, the Dolphins are comfortably dead last, and the 49ers are playing at home. It doesn’t get much more straightforward than this, and taking the 49ers is not a bad move this week. The Dolphins have more than half of their salary cap spent on dead money, they have an abysmal defense and dreadful offense, and could easily go 0-17 this season. Across the field, the 49ers are coming off a win over the Super Bowl favorites, and shouldn’t have any problems in this matchup. In terms of future plays, the 49ers host the Cardinals next week and the Raiders in November, which could be worth saving. However, their spread is five points longer than the next closest team this week, and it is never a bad idea to fade the Dolphins. For our official selection, we will go with the 49ers.

Baltimore Ravens (-8.5) Over New Orleans Saints

The Baltimore Ravens looked dominant against the Colts while the Saints were out of the game against the Lions for most of the contest. New Orleans did show adversity to mount the 21-point comeback before losing in overtime, but that will not happen against a team like the Ravens. Baltimore is strong on both sides of the ball, Zay Flowers is expected to return from injury, and they are a very confident selection for this week. However, Baltimore still has home games against the Browns and Titans in their future, so I would recommend looking elsewhere at this stage of the season.

Los Angeles Chargers (-7) Over Las Vegas Raiders

The Los Angeles Chargers fell short last week, but they fully know their season is over if they lose this game. The Chargers have a very tough upcoming month and a half after the Raiders, making this potentially the last viable time to use them. I know what you’re thinking. How can we put our lives in the hands of the Chargers after they just lost to Arizona? Drastic times call for drastic measures in survivor pools, as it doesn’t matter if you lose in Week 2 or in Week 10. The Chargers will be playing incredibly desperate football, and as long as they don’t turn the ball over five times again, this is their game to lose. Considering the Chargers’ schedule and this specific matchup, Los Angeles remains one of the best picks of the week.

Kansas City Chiefs (-6.5) Over Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City is back. It might be too early to go all-in on the Chiefs, but a healthy Patrick Mahomes reminded the league what he can do on Monday night. Kenneth Walker's arrival now rounds out the Chiefs offense even more, and a very aggressive defense will not be run over. The Colts have reasons for optimism this year, but after getting smashed by the Ravens in Week 1, they have now lost eight straight regular season games. There will be other times to use the Chiefs, but I still like them in this spot if you want to save the 49ers and don’t feel confident about the Chargers.

Seattle Seahawks (-4.5) Over Arizona Cardinals

Seattle leaned on their defense in Week 1, and I am loving them in this spot in Week 2. The Cardinals have tricked some people into thinking they are a good team after beating the Chargers, but that is not the case. Seattle will remind Arizona that they are still in for a long season, and this is a great spot to pull the trigger. Other than the reverse matchup when they host the Cardinals later this season, there aren’t many other true layups for the reigning champions. It might be a stretch to call this a contrarian pick, but with seven other longer spreads, I think they fit the criteria. If you are looking to root for some upsets, ride with the Seahawks in Week 2 for our official contrarian selection.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-8.5) Over Cleveland Browns

I guess we can trust the Buccaneers? Cleveland looked terrible in Week 1 and there is no light at the end of the tunnel for this franchise, but it is also hard to get excited about Tampa Bay. Baker Mayfield looked indecisive in the pocket against the Bengals, and Cleveland is arguably the harder defensive unit. However, as long as he doesn't fumble the ball multiple times again, it won’t take much to outlast the Browns. Deshaun Watson and the Cleveland offense are a disaster, and will struggle to find the end zone more than once. The Buccaneers may completely collapse down the stretch, making this potentially the last time they have a spread over a touchdown. Another great pick.

Los Angeles Rams (-7.5) Over New York Giants

The Los Angeles Rams will blame their travel plans for their Week 1 flop, and they must get back on track here or the playoffs are suddenly in danger. Myles Garrett is out on the defensive side of the ball, but they still have a clear edge over New York. On offense, the Rams’ depth is what sets them apart. Reigning MVP Matthew Stafford will be able to spread the ball, and the Giants are due for a letdown after their big upset over the Cowboys. While the Rams are a solid pick, they will be favorites in almost every matchup this year, and there is no reason to burn them now with several other available options.

New England Patriots (-4.5) Over Pittsburgh Steelers

The New England Patriots are due for a bounce back, and it will come at home against the Steelers. Pittsburgh looked terrible in their win over the Falcons, and if they play like that again, this one won’t even be close. New England is the better team on both sides of the ball, yes even defensively, and will not start the year 0-2. However, they have four easy games against the Jets and Dolphins with another against the Raiders, meaning we are better off saving them for a better matchup.

Chicago Bears (-5.5) Over Minnesota Vikings

Chicago exploded for 59 points last week. And while they are unlikely to do that against a strong Brian Flores-led Minnesota defense, they will still win their home opener. Minnesota needed 29 unanswered points to mount a big comeback against the Packers, and will not get that kind of offense again from Carson Wentz. These rivalry games always have extra intensity, but I don’t see them winning on the road in this one. Look for Chicago to have another strong game offensively and for the Vikings to just not quite keep up.

Philadelphia Eagles (-7) Over Tennessee Titans

The Eagles are a big favorite over Tennessee, but you are probably better off looking elsewhere. Philadelphia was lucky to escape with a Week 1 win over Washington, and there is no guarantee they will win on the road in Week 2. They are still ahead of some of the other matchups in terms of confidence, but nowhere close to the other touchdown favorites.

Buffalo Bills (-4.5) Over Detroit Lions

Maybe the Bills could be higher up this list given the Lions’ home/road splits over the last few seasons, but Detroit certainly has upset potential. Both of these teams edged out close ones in Week 1, and this is anyone's game on a short week. Buffalo gets the nod in their first game at the new stadium, but there will be spots down the line where you’ll want to have the Bills as an option.

Green Bay Packers (-3.5) Over New York Jets

The New York Jets have a winning record while the Packers are winless. Who would’ve thought? There is no reason to play with fire and select an unproven Packers side against a Jets side that might be finally making some waves. The lean goes to Green Bay on the road, but after blowing a 22-point lead, it is hard to put your life in the hands of this team.

Dallas Cowboys (-3.5) Over Washington Commanders

Divisional matchups are always hard to predict, and you are better off staying away from this one. Dallas looked flat against the Giants to open up the season, but it is equally hard to have much confidence in this Washington offensive line. The Cowboys could be justified if you want to sit back and root for upsets, but there are better options further up the board.

Carolina Panthers (-1.5) Over Atlanta Falcons

I could see some justification in taking the Panthers if Cooper Rush suits up for the Falcons, but this is still way too risky at this stage of the season. Atlanta has a very strong defense and will be playing at home, while the Panthers just gave up 59 points. If you are playing the super long game, maybe take Carolina, but there will still be better spots down the line.

Denver Broncos (-2.5) Over Jacksonville Jaguars

The Broncos and Jaguars finished atop the AFC last season, and will have lots of winnable matchups this season. The lean goes to the Broncos at home, but just don’t do it.

Cincinnati Bengals (+3) Over Houston Texans

There is no reason to touch this matchup between two good teams. Gun to the head, I would go Bengals, but I would rather stay away.

Official Survivor Pool Pick of the Week: San Francisco 49ers Over Miami Dolphins

Contrarian Survivor Pool Pick of the Week: Seattle Seahawks Over Arizona Cardinals

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Start:	September 15, 2026 @ 8:00 PM
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NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 2: Advice and Predictions

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