NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 7: Advice and Predictions

by Spencer Toth - 10/21/2026

NFL survivor pool picks Week 7 David Montgomery Houston Texans

If you are still alive in your survivor pool, you are likely in a fantastic position to take home the victory. It was already a very quick survivor season before Week 6, but things got even worse when the Rams fell to the Cardinals as nearly two-touchdown favorites, and the Colts fell to the previously winless Titans as touchdown favorites. For our official survivor pool pick of the week, we played it safe with the Los Angeles Rams, and were eliminated along with a majority of other entries. Nevertheless, we are back for Week 7 with a fresh slate in what could be the most important survivor pool week of the season. There is only one team favored by more than a touchdown, as Week 7 will separate the contenders from the pretenders. Without further ado, here are the Week 7 survivor pool picks ranked from most to least confident.

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Houston Texans (-10.5) Over New York Giants

The Texans are far and away the largest favorite of Week 7, and are almost an automatic selection if you still have them available. Their -550 moneyline implies an 84.6% chance of winning, while no other team has greater than a 66% chance. Houston started off the year 0-4, but have now won back to back games including a big divisional win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in London last week. They take on a Giants side that is leading the NFC East, but this will still be a one-sided affair. Houston’s defense is among the best in the league, and now that their offense is starting to come to life, they are a very frightening team. The Giants have controversy at both quarterback and running back heading into this matchup, and anything less than a straightforward Texans win would be a real surprise. If you have them, don’t get cute. Take the Texans.

Minnesota Vikings (-6.5) Over Indianapolis Colts

The Vikings are one of three undefeated teams left in the league, and they host a Colts side that has lost 11 of their last 13 games dating back to last season. The Vikings have already exceeded expectations this year, and a strong defensive front will terrorize Daniel Jones and company. The Colts are struggling on both sides of the ball, while the Vikings have had an extra week to get ready for this one as they look to improve to 6-0. This is a great spot to use the Vikings if you haven’t already, and may be one of the last chances this year. Minnesota has a home game against the Commanders in Week 16 and a road game against the Jets in Week 17, and no reasonable spots to use them before that point. Your pool might be over by then given the bloodbath to start the year, making the Vikings a close second behind the Texans, and far and away better than anything further down the list.

New York Jets (-4.5) Over Miami Dolphins

Putting your survivor pool life in the hands of the Jets? Top three on the list? What year is this? Our strategy of fading the Dolphins every single week was going great until this team had a bye week. If you are playing in a multi-strike pool, go right back to the well by fading Miami whenever possible. It is hard to put into words how bad the Dolphins have been this year, and the fact that they will not be getting any better. Malik Willis has thrown two touchdowns on 130 pass attempts this year, and the Dolphins haven’t held the lead for a single second heading into Week 7. We aren’t going to get a better chance to use the Jets than a home meeting against Miami, making this a very strong survivor pool pick with the future in mind.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5) Over New Orleans Saints

This one is going down in France, and while international games bring a little extra uncertainty to the mix, the Steelers are still a great choice this week. Aaron Rodgers is proving that age is just a number, as his poise in the pocket combined with his usual accuracy is a lethal combination. Meanwhile, the Saints can’t get anything going in the run game, and are simultaneously falling apart on the defensive side of the ball. Pittsburgh does still have the Eagles and Titans, so this one might be better to save if possible.

San Francisco 49ers (-3.5) Over Atlanta Falcons

The undefeated 49ers have overcome injuries to keep stacking up victories. Former Mr. Irrelevant Brock Purdy is now an MVP candidate, George Kittle, Christian McCaffrey, and Mike Evans are walking highlight reels, and this defense keeps stepping up with late-round draft picks exceeding expectations. Atlanta is far too inconsistent to consider, as the 49ers should make quick work of the Dirty Birds en route to a 7-0 start.

Denver Broncos (-4.5) Over Arizona Cardinals

The Denver Broncos keep finding ways to win ugly games, and this is a textbook opportunity for them to do so again. Bo Nix is being criticized for his constant checkdowns, but the reality is that he is responsible with the football, and trusts his teammates to take care of the rest. Meanwhile, Arizona won last week without scoring a touchdown, and a strong Broncos red zone defense could keep them out of the end zone again. Denver isn’t a bad option this week, but they play the Dolphins in Week 13, the Jets in Week 14, and the Raiders in Week 15. Our strategy to fade Miami hinges on saving Denver, so I would try to look elsewhere with the future in mind.

Los Angeles Rams (-4.5) Over Las Vegas Raiders

This is a must win for Los Angeles. The Rams are 2-4 and a loss here would make them underdogs to reach the playoffs at this stage of the season. Las Vegas got off to a red hot 3-0 start before cooling off with three straight defeats, and it is only a matter of time before Kirk Cousins hits the bench. The Raiders run game is also not doing them any favors, making it hard to find many positives with this team. As long as the Rams don’t shoot themselves in the foot on special teams, this is their game to lose.

Detroit Lions (-3.5) Over Green Bay Packers

NFC North battles are always fierce, and this will be no exception. Both of these teams are desperate to win as they look to chase down the undefeated Vikings, but the edge goes to Detroit at home. Jared Goff has been lights out at Ford Field throughout his career, and a shaky Packers defense will be unable to contain him. The Lions have a very easy schedule down the stretch, so it is probably better to look further up the list, but this is still the last truly confident pick for Week 7.

Cleveland Browns (-1.5) Over Tennessee Titans

If you wanna get crazy, the Browns are a legitimate option in Week 7. The Titans win over the Colts was more to do with Indianapolis making mistakes than Tennessee playing dominant football, and that is unlikely to carry over to Week 7. Cleveland has earned their 4-2 record with strong defensive play, while Cam Ward has struggled all year long. This looks like it will be a low-scoring grind that the Browns thrive in, and I wouldn’t blame you for prioritizing the future with a pick on the Browns this week.

Carolina Panthers (-3.5) Over Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers blew it in Week 6 in overtime against the Steelers, probably eliminating them from playoff contention. A divisional win over the NFC South-leading Panthers would help tremendously, but an upset on the road is too much to ask. The Panthers offense is incredibly balanced both through the air and on the ground, while the Buccaneers are still searching for an identity after losing Mike Evans. Baker Mayfield may be back, but it won’t be enough for the upset.

Chicago Bears (-3) Over New England Patriots

It’s probably better to stay away from this Thursday night affair. New England is the reigning AFC champion and have won three straight games, while the Bears are running the football incredibly well right now. This will be a game with very little to separate the two teams, and Chicago has quite a few easy games still to go.

Baltimore Ravens (-2.5) Over Cincinnati Bengals

This one hinges on whether or not Lamar Jackson suits up for the Ravens, as there are still massive question marks around his injury. If he doesn’t play, this is a hard avoid as the Ravens are too unpredictable with Tyler Huntley at the helm. If Jackson returns, this would move up the list, but we still shouldn’t be trigger-happy on a legitimate contender like the Ravens in a divisional matchup.

Dallas Cowboys (-4.5) Over Philadelphia Eagles

How can you be confident in either of these teams? Don’t let a thick spread distract you from the fact the Cowboys defense is dreadful and their offense is seemingly falling asleep at the wheel. Luckily for Dallas, the Eagles are an even bigger trainwreck, so they get the pick. Maybe there could be some justification for this if your back is really against the wall, but save yourself the headache and a reason to watch this dumpster fire on Monday night.

Kansas City Chiefs (+2.5) Over Seattle Seahawks

Two Super Bowl contenders facing off is a matchup to avoid in survivor pools. The slight edge goes to the undefeated Chiefs, but just stay away from this one.

Official Survivor Pool Pick of the Week: Houston Texans Over New York Giants

Contrarian Survivor Pool Pick of the Week: New York Jets Over Miami Dolphins

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Start:	October 21, 2026 @ 10:30 PM
Expert:	Vernon Croy
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NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 7: Advice and Predictions

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