Hey team, Coach Bob here with this week’s Survivor Pool picks. By now, you know the name of the game — it’s not about picking the perfect team every week; it’s about staying alive. Survivor pools reward patience, not panic. You want to advance while managing your stronger teams wisely, keeping future weeks in mind without overthinking the current one.
Last week we went 3–1, cashing in with the Rams, Ravens, and Cowboys while the Packers gave us a tough beat late. That’s part of the grind — you stay disciplined, play the long game, and don’t let one bounce change your approach. Now we’re on to Week 9, and I’ve got four strong survivor options ready to keep us rolling.
1. Green Bay Packers over Carolina Panthers
This is a “get right” spot for Green Bay. The Packers rank 13th in scoring (29.4 PPG) and 11th in rushing yards per game, while Carolina ranks near the bottom in almost every defensive metric — 28th against the run and 27th in points allowed (29.6 PPG).
Carolina’s offense hasn’t traveled well, scoring just 15 points per game on the road. Meanwhile, the Packers’ defense has quietly forced turnovers in five straight games. With a strong home edge at Lambeau and the Panthers struggling to find consistency, this is one of the safest survivor spots on the board.
Confidence: High
2. Los Angeles Rams over New Orleans Saints
This one’s all about matchup and momentum. The Rams are putting up 29.5 points per game, ranking top five in passing efficiency with 271 yards through the air, and they’ve covered the spread in 12 of their last 15 games. The Saints, meanwhile, are just 1–11 straight up in their last 12 and can’t move the ball — averaging a brutal 14.3 PPG.
Los Angeles has also been a dominant home team, going 7–0 ATS against New Orleans. The Rams’ offensive tempo and red-zone balance make them a nightmare for a struggling Saints defense. Expect a comfortable double-digit win.
Confidence: High
3. San Francisco 49ers over New York Giants
San Francisco might not be flashy right now, but this is the kind of opponent that brings them back to life. The 49ers are top 10 in both total offense and scoring, while the Giants are bottom five in nearly every category.
The 49ers are 10–2 SU in November games and 5–0 ATS vs the NFC East, and they’ve handled business against weaker opponents all year. Expect heavy doses of the run game early, and the pass rush to make life miserable for the Giants’ line that’s allowed one of the highest sack totals in football.
Confidence: Medium-High
4. Detroit Lions over Minnesota Vikings — Top Play
This is the crown jewel of Week 9 survivor picks. The Lions have been one of the most complete teams in football, ranking top 5 in total offense (352 YPG) and top 10 in scoring defense (19.0 PPG allowed). They’ve covered in 5 of their last 6 and own the line of scrimmage better than almost any team in the league.
Minnesota, on the other hand, can’t get their run game going, and their offensive line is overmatched. Detroit’s balance, home-field advantage, and ability to protect the football make this the “safe power pick” every survivor player is looking for.
Confidence: Very High — Top Play of the Week
Final Thoughts:
Survivor pools are about finding safety, not flash. The Packers, Rams, and 49ers give us strong win probability with controlled matchups. The Lions are the anchor this week — a complete team at home against an overmatched divisional rival. Stick to the plan: survive, advance, and build the streak one week at a time.
