Who to take in Week 13 in your NFL survivor pool

Kevin Erickson | Staff Writer

In Week 12, our top NFL survivor pool option was a winner, as the Kansas City Chiefs outlasted the Las Vegas Raiders by a 31-17 count.

It didn't start out well, as the Raiders actually took a 14-0 lead early in the 2nd quarter. However, the rest of the 1st half was all Chiefs, and the visitors pulled away in the 2nd half. It was a cautionary tale why backing a road team is risky business, and never an easy thing.

The No. 2 option was a roll of the dice as just a 4-point favorite. The Tennessee Titans entered the game with a 3-7 SU record, so it was risky behavior. Thankfully, the Titans were hosting the dumpster fire that is the Carolina Panthers.

Tennessee led wire-to-wire, although this game ended up a 1-score affair, as the Panthers scored a TD midway through the 3rd quarter to make Titans backers nervous. Thankfully, the Carolina offense just cannot get out of its own way, and eventually the Titans were a winner.

We've lost our No. 1 option 3 times — and would even be eliminated from pools that allow up to 3 defeats — but we're still here to help going forward.

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The chalk: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Who they play: Home vs. Panthers – 4:05 p.m. (CBS)

The Buccaneers (4-7) host the Panthers (1-10), a team which is in disarray after coach Frank Reich became the 1st coach to be fired last Monday.

Picking against the Panthers has been a good way to go, as they have dropped 10 of 11 games overall, including each of their 1st 2 games inside the NFC South Division.

Carolina will make you nervous, so don't expect an easy ride. This Panthers team has plenty of defense, and it has allowed 17 or fewer points in 3 of the past 5 games. But this offense is abysmal, and the Panthers have accounted for 15 or fewer points in 5 straight outings.

Buccaneers QB Baker Mayfield is nursing an ankle injury, but he is fully expected to be able to go. And RB Rachaad White, who is coming off his first 100-yard rushing performance of the season at Indianapolis, should find some space to run. While the Panthers are 5th in the NFL against the pass, Carolina allows 124.9 yards per game on the ground to rank just 24th.

Playing against the Panthers was a winning combination last week, and the Bucs have the skill position players to make it a bad day for Carolina again in Week 13. As such, TAMPA BAY IS MY TOP WEEK 13 SURVIVOR POOL PICK.

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No. 2 option: Jacksonville Jaguars

Who they play: Home vs. Bengals – Monday, 8:15 p.m. (ABC/ESPN)

For the 2nd option, you'll have to wait an extra day. The Jaguars (8-3) will be appearing on Monday Night Football for the 1st time since 2011, the longest drought in the NFL.

It should be worth the wait, as the Jags will welcome the Cincinnati Bengals and QB Jake Browning, not QB Joe Burrow, as the starting signal caller is out for the season after wrist surgery.

Browning and the Bengals offense was anemic against the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend at Paycor Stadium, amassing just 222 total yards of offense, including 197 yards passing and an awful 2-of-10 on 3rd down efficiency. Pittsburgh also had 22 1st downs to just 10 for Cincinnati. To make matters worse, the Bengals went for just 2.3 yards per rush.

The Jaguars get a wounded Bengals team limping into "The Bank," and the atmosphere will be electric in a rare night game in Duval. Expect Jacksonville to start quickly, and finish quicker.

Others to consider

Los Angeles Chargers: At New England Patriots – 1 p.m. (CBS)

Pittsburgh Steelers: Home vs. Arizona Cardinals – 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 24, Bills 22

Week 11: WIN – 49ers 27, Buccaneers 14

Week 12: WIN – Chiefs 31, Raiders 17

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

Week 11: WIN – Dolphins 20, Raiders 13

Week 12: WIN – Titans 17, Panthers 10

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

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