When it comes to Survivor, Week 4 was all about the “almost." From the Eagles to the Chiefs, we saw close calls for two hugely popular teams on the Survivor front.
While there are a handful of games with large point spreads in Week 5, there aren’t a plethora of obvious options to choose from. But, we have an assignment: survive.
Here are this week’s picks, starting in an obvious place.
Survivor Week 5 Best Picks
Miami Dolphins vs New York Giants
We’ll get to the Dolphins, although we simply must start with the Giants, who have played one good half of football through four games. The latest offering against Seattle was a football dumpster fire — the offensive line is a mess, Daniel Jones is out of sorts, and the entire group isn’t meshing.
For at least one week, Miami didn’t mesh, either. The Dolphins’ defense was dissected by Buffalo, and one of the hottest teams in the NFL finally cooled off.
The Miami offense should do just fine against New York, though. Expect a much cleaner performance from NFL MVP candidate Tua Tagovailoa and his weapons and for the Dolphins to cruise.
Use our NFL Eliminator tips to place bets with the NFL odds:
Detroit Lions vs Carolina Panthers
It’s becoming increasingly clear that the Lions are no longer just a fun football team. They are a talented, balanced squad with an emerging defense.
That theme has carried throughout much of the year, and it was on display last Thursday when Detroit defeated Green Bay (34-20). From running back David Montgomery to defensive end Aidan Hutchinson, this was a complete effort.
It goes without saying, but the Panthers aren’t there yet.
Still, the group competes, and this won’t be a three-touchdown win. It will still be plenty comfortable, which is all we need to get to another week.
Survivor Week 5 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 5 Sleeper
San Francisco 49ers vs Dallas Cowboys
Now, let’s address the obvious: San Francisco, the No. 1 team in our NFL power rankings, is rarely (if ever) a sleeper.
In this instance, however, the 49ers likely won’t be as popular of a pick. They’re playing the Cowboys in the biggest game of Week 6. (It’s also one of the best games of the year.)
Naturally, many will shy away from this spot, especially considering how the Cowboys looked in a 38-3 win against the Patriots on Sunday. Dallas was indeed impressive, although San Francisco is still a tremendous threat and opposition at home.
While this wouldn’t be a first choice, consider it an option. The 49ers could be used on plenty of occasions, although this one should work just fine.
Survivor Week 5 Team To Save For Future
Cincinnati Bengals @ Arizona Cardinals
Before the season began, this looked like an ideal Survivor spot. As it stands now, however, the Bengals are a mystery.
Cincinnati’s last win was a 19-16 nail-biter at home against the Los Angeles Rams. And against the Browns and Titans, the Bengals were outscored 51-6.
As such, we need to wait and see. A hobbled Joe Burrow is clearly not as effective, and the collective performance cannot be counted upon.
Throw in the performance of a feisty Arizona team, and this one has all sorts of strangeness circling. Hard pass all around.
Survivor Week 5 Chalk Team That Could Lose
Kansas City Chiefs @ Minnesota Vikings
At long last, the Vikings won a football game.
Minnesota conquered Carolina on Sunday, 21-13, although it wasn’t pretty. After three ugly losses, however, an ugly win will play just fine.
On paper, this feels like a sizable mismatch. Patrick Mahomes vs Kirk Cousins doesn’t exactly have a competitive ring to it, although a second consecutive road game could take its toll on Kansas City.
Plus, KC hasn’t exactly been dominant this year. Outside of a win over the woeful Bears, the Chiefs have played largely competitive games.
Although the narrative will say otherwise, this is a game the favorite can absolutely drop on the road.