An NFL survivor pool is a wonderful thing. Much like sports betting, it gives casual fans something to cheer for when they don’t have the time for fantasy sports. As simple as it sounds to pick one winner each week, there is a lot more that you must consider. I will discuss point spreads, ownership rates, injuries, and weather each week. This will help you decide which team you should choose for your pool. I’ll offer a multi-faceted approach that will give you several options for each week. These options are based on your level of risk tolerance. This is The FFU NFL Survivor Pool Guide (Week 5) Edition.
As a side note: The Fantasy Football Universe also runs an NFL Survivor Pool as a control group. You can find the group to follow along. I will refer to the pool in this series and provide updates to show how we play each week. After all, you can’t trust our advice if we don’t follow it ourselves. Also, check out The FFU Survivor Pool Crash Course tutorial.
Week 5 Pick Distribution
The Safe Route
Seattle Seahawks, 37.89% ownership (-6.0) vs. New England Giants, 0.02% ownership: For the second week in a row, the heavy favorite won a game bringing them to 2-2 on the season. The Seattle Seahawks will look to keep that trend going this week against the New York Giants. Seattle looked nearly flawless through three weeks before being dismantled in Detroit on Monday Night. The Giants on the other hand have looked awful and have only beaten the Cleveland Browns. This one is easy money and should see the Seahawks on cruise control by halftime.
Risk= 2
The Sneaky Value Pick
Baltimore Ravens, 3.04% ownership (-2.5) vs. Cincinnati Bengals, 0.04% ownership: A tough divisional matchup is always a scenario that’s too close to call in most cases, but in this one, the teams aren’t even in the same league. The reputation of the 1-3 Bengals and their status as a long-time rival is all that’s keeping this spread reasonable. The Ravens are a much better team than the Bengals and despite being 2-2 they boast back-to-back wins against solid opponents in the Cowboys and Bills. The Ravens should have little trouble disposing of the Bengals in Week 5.
Risk= 5
The Upset Special
Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 1.37% ownership (+1.5) vs. Atlanta Falcons, 0.39% ownership: Another tough divisional game, but in this case, I think it’s the underdog that is being undervalued. The Buccaneers sit at 3-1 and have looked impressive at times while only losing to the Denver Broncos. The Falcons on the other hand sit at 2-2 with wins over the Saints and Eagles. This game should be close, but the Buccaneers are the more well-rounded and talented of the two teams and I anticipate them handling the Falcons in Atlanta without much trouble.
Risk = 7
The Must Avoid
Buffalo Bills, 1.09% ownership (-1.0) vs. Houston Texans, 0.06% ownership: As always, avoid the game with two high-end teams. Both teams are 3-1 and both teams are loaded across the board. It’s a one-point spread, but this game should be a Pick ’em and is one I will gladly avoid. These teams both tend to be up and down and it’s impossible to accurately predict the outcome here. Steer clear at all costs.
Risk = 9
If you enjoyed NFL Survivor Pool Guide: Week 5, check out how last week’s picks fared on The Fantasy Football Universe Survivor Pool Home Page.
