[null, {"document_url": "https://sportschatplace.com/nfl-picks/2015/09/10/week-1-nfl-survivor-pool-picks", "unformatted_src": "https://ssl.gannett-cdn.com/usatsimg/image/thumb/650-550nw/8774326.jpg", "src": "https://ssl.gannett-cdn.com/usatsimg/image/thumb/650-550nw/8774326.jpg", "alt_text": "Week 1 NFL Survivor Pool Picks"}, null, null]
NFL Kyle Compeau Follow on twitter: @KyleSCP · September 8, 2015

Week 1 NFL Survivor Pool Picks

NFL Week 1 Survivor Pool Picks

NFL Football Week One

Get All Of The latest Odds See the Latest Odds


It is that time of the year again as the NFL is slated to kick off this Thursday and much like the continued interest in fantasy football, the NFL Survivor pool continues to grow in popularity. We have you covered again this year as each week I will break down my three best plays, two trap games to stay away from, and one under the radar pick that you can use and keep the big dogs in your pocket.

Top Plays: New England Patriots (-7) vs Pittsburgh Steelers

It should come without saying that the defending champions at home on Thursday Night Football are a lock to start the season with a victory and with New England hosting the Steelers that trend should continue. That inclination was BEFORE Tom Brady was alleviated of his four game suspension and now he and the Pats are going into slaughter mode and that should start here. The Steelers are a nice team with plenty of weapons but without Le'Veon Bell and Martavis Bryant I think Pittsburgh's offense might sputter and against a Pats team that will be looking to make a statement in the biggest way possible on opening week there doesn't seem like a better play on the board.

Green Bay Packers (-7) at Chicago Bears

We are in a bit of a pickle here as it is never a great idea to take a road team against a division rival but this isn't any ordinary team. The Packers will be looking to run wild on the Bears in week one and even without Jordy Nelson the Packers should have no trouble moving the ball against this abysmal defense. Eddie Lacy should have a big game and will allow Rodgers even more time to pick apart the Bears' secondary. Chicago is typically a tough place to play but this Bears team is without Brandon Marshall and Kevin White and while Matt Forte is a feature back it will take more than that to take down the Packers in this spot. I like Green Bay to roll as the Bears lose their home opener for the second straight season.

Denver Broncos (-4.5) vs Baltimore Ravens

Opening week is sometimes a crap shoot as a number of teams underachieve and you don't really know what you're getting until a couple of weeks into the season. This is exactly how I feel about this year's Baltimore Ravens as they're a Justin Forsett injury away from being very mediocre and against a Broncos team that returns a very explosive offense they could be in tough here. Baltimore has and always will have a very strong defense but even the game's best struggle against Peyton Manning at home and now with the multi-time MVP having another premier pass catching tight end in the fold in Owen Daniels I think the Broncos offense continues to soar. Thomas, Sanders, Daniels, and CJ Anderson in the back field? Good luck Harbaugh.

Pool Breakers:

Indianapolis Colts (-2.5) at Buffalo Bills

The first game to stay away from is the Colts and Bills as this one should come right down to the wire. The line at the moment has the Colts favoured by a field goal and while it could shift in either direction before kick off I don't think this is the time or place to be taking Andrew Luck and the Colts. Sure Indy is primed for a big season and should undoubtedly win the AFC South but you have to pick your spots and this one is ugly. The Bills have one of the league's best defenses and The Ralph is a very tough place to play and with the overhaul the Bills have had with personnel this season I expect Rex Ryan to orchestrate a spectacular game plan aimed to keep Luck at bay. Save the Colts for another week and avoid this game.

Dallas Cowboys (-6) vs New York Giants

The Cowboys and Giants meet up at Jerry's World on Sunday night in what should be an exciting game between two bitter division rivals. The line on this one is interesting as the Cowboys are surely a touchdown better than the Giants on paper but that's never how it plays out in these divisional show downs, especially this early in the season. The Cowboys seem to struggle at home and are flawless on the road and while that is likely an anomaly and Dallas will fare better this season in Texas I am not sold on their efforts on opening night against a Giants team looking to get back in the playoff mix. Dez Bryant and Odell Beckham will exchange punches all night and without Demarco Murray in the back field I don't trust the Dallas offense to live up to expectations right away. This could very well be a blow out for the Cowboys but this just isn't the best place to use the Cowboys as surely they will have a matchup down the line better suited to Survivor pools.

Pool Makers:

Tampa Bay Bucanneers (-2.5) vs Tennessee Titans

This is one game on the slate I absolutely love in terms of an under the radar type pick as Winston and Mariota square off for the first time. This could be an ugly game with a lot of youth on display but when it comes down to it the Bucs are simply the better team and are playing at home here which should have Winston fired up and Mariota a little on edge. Mike Evans is the real deal and while the Titans may have that in Dorial Green-Beckham I think the former will have the bigger day and add in Vincent Jackson and Doug Martin and I think the Bucs are due for a pretty comfortable victory. This is a recommended play as there are plenty of other spots on the board but if you are looking to keep the top dogs in your arsenal for a couple of weeks I love this play here and will certainly be throwing some coin down on the Bucs in this game.

