Week 3 is, without a doubt, one of the stranger NFL Survivor weeks in recent memory.
While most slates offer up only a handful of games to sort through, robust point spreads are scattered throughout. Regardless of the spread, the goal remains the same: avoid the landmines at all cost, pick the right spot.
Stay alive.
We did just that in Week 2 thanks to a bounce back from the Buffalo Bills.
Survivor Week 3 Best Picks
Dallas Cowboys @ Arizona Cardinals
At the moment, the Cowboys look like the best team in football and are ranked No. 2 in our NFL Defense Power Rankings. And although they’ll head out west for the road game, I’m still comfortable with them as the top Survivor selection.
It starts with the pass rush and, specifically, Micah Parsons. He’s looking more and more like the best defensive player in the NFL. Arizona, in all of its tanking glory, is simply not up for this challenge.
Granted, the Cardinals showed heart against the Giants last week – before they brutally collapsed, that is.
The Cowboys’ firepower will be too much, though. Amid a sea of options, I’m simply not overthinking this one.
Use our NFL Eliminator tips to place bets with the NFL odds:
Kansas City Chiefs vs @ Chicago Bears
Although there are many NFL fanbases feeling the effect of a rough start, Chicago fans certainly have made their frustrations known.
The defense is a mess, quarterback Justin Fields is struggling and the entire franchise feels a bit lost. A trip to Kansas City is essentially the exact opposite remedy for such a moment, and that is precisely what the Bears have on tap.
Against the Jaguars, the Chiefs won with defense and just enough offense. Patrick Mahomes wasn’t brilliant, and he didn’t have to be. He’s still our favorite among the NFL MVP odds.
At home against Chicago, Mahomes should put up a huge game and the defense should once again thrive. This could get ugly.
Survivor Week 3 Rankings Grid
Rk | Team | Grade | |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Dallas Cowboys | @ Washington Commanders | A+ |
2 | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | @ Carolina Panthers | A |
3 | Jacksonville Jaguars | @ Tennessee Titans | A |
4 | Cincinnati Bengals | Cleveland Browns | A- |
5 | Philadelphia Eagles | @ New York Giants | A- |
6 | Pittsburgh Steelers | @ Baltimore Ravens | B+ |
7 | New Orleans Saints | Atlanta Falcons | B+ |
8 | Detroit Lions | Minnesota Vikings | B+ |
9 | Los Angeles Chargers | Kansas City Chiefs | B |
10 | Buffalo Bills | @ Miami Dolphins | B |
11 | Green Bay Packers | Chicago Bears | B |
12 | Seattle Seahawks | @ Arizona Cardinals | B |
13 | San Francisco 49ers | Los Angeles Rams | B |
14 | Denver Broncos | @ Las Vegas Raiders | B_ |
15 | Indianapolis Colts | Houston Texans | B- |
16 | New England Patriots | New York Jets | B- |
17 | New York Jets | @ New England Patriots | B- |
18 | Houston Texans | @ Indianapolis Colts | B- |
19 | Las Vegas Raiders | Denver Broncos | |
20 | Los Angeles Rams | @ San Francisco 49ers | C+ |
21 | Arizona Cardinals | Seattle Seahawks | C+ |
22 | Chicago Bears | @ Green Bay Packers | C+ |
23 | Miami Dolphins | Buffalo Bills | C+ |
24 | Kansas City Chiefs | @ Los Angeles Chargers | C |
25 | Minnesota Vikings | @ Detroit Lions | C |
26 | Atlanta Falcons | @ New Orleans Saints | C- |
27 | Baltimore Ravens | Pittsburgh Steelers | D+ |
28 | New York Giants | Philadelphia Eagles | D |
29 | Cleveland Browns | @ Cincinnati Bengals | D |
30 | Tennessee Titans | Jacksonville Jaguars | D- |
31 | Carolina Panthers | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | D- |
32 | Washington Commanders | Dallas Cowboys | F |
Survivor Week 3 Sleeper
Seattle Seahawks vs Carolina Panthers
Why is Seattle a sleeper? They’re No. 10 in our NFL Power Rankings. Because there are at least six games with larger point spreads that are likely to draw more attention. If you’re looking for a team down the rankings, look no further.
The Seahawks’ offense came alive, and Seattle outscored the Lions in Detroit. Geno Smith played well, and he likely will again at home against a team that is limited offensively.
On the other side, Bryce Young’s first trip to Seattle won’t come easy. It’s a lot to ask of a rookie, even one with such promise. Carolina’s defense has played well, but there simply isn’t enough firepower.
Seahawks by at least a touchdown.
Survivor Week 3 Team To Save For Future
Miami Dolphins vs Denver Broncos
Tua Tagovailoa looks like a legitimate MVP candidate, and the Miami offense is thriving. After winning two tight road games, the Dolphins head home for the first time. And this simply doesn’t feel like the ideal spot to use them.
For starters, Miami plays the Panthers at home in the not-too-distant future. That is one worth targeting.
Beyond that, the Broncos are a slippery team to evaluate at the moment. They’re 0-2, although they have lost both games by a combined three points. Russell Wilson is playing better, and there is clearly talent in place.
As such, we’ll let this one be. Miami will be an option soon enough.
Survivor Week 3 Chalk Team That Could Lose
Buffalo Bills @ Washington Commanders
That was the Bills team we know and love. A week after falling to the Jets, Buffalo responded with a blowout victory over the Raiders. Josh Allen protected the ball, and the end result was a load of offense.
This week, however, Buffalo heads back on the road to take on a team full of vigor. The Commanders have life thanks largely to Sam Howell and the influence of new offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy.
While the Bills are still a sizable favorite, Washington is live. At home, I expect this to come down to the final few minutes.
Beware the Commanders.