Who to take in Week 11 in your NFL survivor pool

Kevin Erickson | Staff Writer

In Week 10, our top NFL survivor pool option in the Buffalo Bills lost 24-22 at home as the Denver Broncos kicked a game-winning FG as time expired.

It looked good late in the 4th quarter when the Bills took a 22-21 lead when QB Josh Allen marched Buffalo down the field in 6 plays for a go-ahead TD with 1:55 to go. The Broncos responded by moving the ball into position for a game-winning FG, but K Wil Lutz pushed his 41-yard attempt to the right. But, much to the dismay of survivor players -- and Bills fans -- flags littered the end zone because the Bills had 12 players on the field. Lutz got another chance, and he split the upright from 5 yards closer for the win, ousting all Bills backers in survivor pools.

Our No. 2 option, the Dallas Cowboys had no such issues with the visiting New York Giants. QB Dak Prescott threw for 404 yards and 4 TDs, while rushing for another score in a 49-17 rout.

While we've now lost our No. 1 option 3 times -- and would even be eliminated from pools that allow up to 3 defeats -- we're still here to help.

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The chalk: San Francisco 49ers

Who they play: Home vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 4:05 p.m. (FOX)

The 49ers (6-3) host the Buccaneers (4-5) in the late window of Sunday's NFL slate. The 49ers snapped out of a major funk in a big way last week. As 3-point road favorites, they halted a 3-game losing streak with a 34-3 rout of the fellow playoff contender Jacksonville Jaguars (6-3) in Florida.

The Buccaneers also snapped a lengthy losing streak last week, winning 20-6 as 2.5-point home favorites vs. the Tennessee Titans (3-6) to end a 4-game skid. However, that was at home. The Bucs had dropped their previous 2 games, both on the road, while allowing 63 total points.

Toss in the fact that Bucs QB Baker Mayfield banged his thumb on a helmet last week, and he could potentially be affected by a hungry 49ers pass rush returning home, and San Francisco looks awfully attractive in Week 11.

This column has already used the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions and Miami Dolphins as a No. 1 option, 3 teams favored this week by 7.5 or more points. Those are attractive options if you haven't used them yet in your pool. Since we have, SAN FRANCISCO IS MY TOP WEEK 11 SURVIVOR POOL PICK.

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No. 2 option: Miami Dolphins

Who they play: Home vs. Las Vegas Raiders – 1 p.m. (CBS)

The Raiders (5-5) showed coach Josh McDaniels and GM Dave Ziegler the door 2 weeks, firing both prior to the Week 9 game. Former NFL player Antonio Pierce was named interim coach, and the team responded with back-to-back wins as rookie QB Aidan O'Connell was inserted in place of veteran QB Jimmy Garoppolo.

While that's all well and good, the Raiders only beat the Giants (2-8) and the New York Jets (4-5), 2 teams under .500. While Pierce has appeared to change the culture and things are a lot more relaxed, Las Vegas is not winning in South Florida.

The Dolphins (6-3) are not only a perfect 4-0 straight up and against the spread at home, they are coming off a bye week. So, Miami has had an opportunity to rest its bumps and bruises to get as close to full health as possible. Miami also designated dynamic rookie RB De'Von Achane to return from the IR (injured reserve) list after he missed the past 4 games due to a knee injury.

Toss in the fact that the Raiders are flying west to east for a 10 a.m. kickoff, according to their Pacific Time Zone body clock, and there are so many things working against the Silver and Black.

Others to consider

Houston Texans: Home vs. Arizona Cardinals – 1 p.m. (CBS)

Jacksonville Jaguars: Home vs. Tennessee Titans – 1 p.m. (CBS)

2023 survivor game log

NO. 1 OPTION

Week 1: WIN – Ravens 25, Texans 9

Week 2: WIN – Cowboys 30, Jets 10

Week 3: WIN – Dolphins 70, Broncos 20

Week 4: LOSS – Titans 27, Bengals 3

Week 5: WIN – Lions 42, Panthers 24

Week 6: WIN – Rams 26, Cardinals 9

Week 7: WIN – Seahawks 20, Cardinals 10

Week 8: WIN – Eagles 38, Commanders 31

Week 9: LOSS – Vikings 31, Falcons 28

Week 10: LOSS – Broncos 22, Bills 22

NO. 2 OPTION

Week 1: WIN: Commanders 20, Cardinals 16

Week 2: WIN – Bills 38, Raiders 10

Week 3: WIN – Chiefs 41, Bears 10

Week 4: WIN – 49ers 35, Cardinals 16

Week 5: LOSS – Steelers 17, Ravens 10

Week 6: WIN – Bills 14, Giants 9

Week 7: LOSS – Giants 14, Commanders 7

Week 8: WIN – Chargers 30, Bears 13

Week 9: WIN – Saints 24, Bears 17

Week 10: WIN – Cowboys 49, Giants 17

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

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