Who to take in Week 18 in your NFL survivor pool

Kevin Erickson | Staff Writer

In Week 17 we tapped into a strategy which has worked wonders for most of the season. If you haven't used the opponent of the Carolina Panthers in your NFL survivor pool, you need to do so.

We're on to Week 18 and it's a super important week. If you haven't lost by now, that's amazing. At this juncture a lot of people have decided to chop the pot and split the winnings. But some people are vying for some huge paydays, and if you're one of those people, congrats.

The Panthers hit rock-bottom last week, falling to the Jacksonville Jaguars, 26-0. There was risk playing the Jags as QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder) was out and journeyman QB C.J. Beathard under center. But it didn't matter as the Jaguars defense wasn't allowing a thing.

For our 2nd option, the Los Angeles Rams survived a late scare from the New York Giants in a 26-25 victory. A failed 2-point conversion with 3:27 to go -- after a Gunner Olszewski 94-yard punt return for a TD -- would have given the G-Men the lead, but QB Tyrod Taylor missed a wide open RB Saquon Barkley on a rollout.

It was fortunate for survivor players who had the Rams. The beauty of survivor is that you don't need to have your team cover the spread, it just needs to win outright.

This will be our final NFL survivor pool column of the season. Overall we lost our No. 1 option 3 times, suffering the 1st defeat in Week 4. We plan to do better next season.

Now, onto the Week 18.

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The chalk: New England Patriots

Who they play: Home vs. Jets – 1 p.m. (FOX)

I know, I know. The New England Patriots (4-12) have been terrible. But the Jets (6-10) aren't much better and somebody has to win.

Usually when these AFC East rivals get together, no matter the personnel or circumstances, it's the Patriots getting the W.

Playing the Pats is risky, for sure. They beat the Jets 15-10 back in Week 3 at the Meadowlands as they extended their win streak in the series to 15 straight. Plus, the Pats haven't lost in regulation to the Jets in 25 straight meetings since Jan. 16, 2011 in an AFC Divisional Playoff game. New York did win 2 overtime games in that stretch.

There is concern taking a 4-12 team, especially one using QB Bailey Zappe as its starter. But, again, New England has won 15 in a row vs. New York. The Jets have the dynamic RB Breece Hall in the backfield, which negates the fact they'll be using either QBs Trevor Siemian or Zach Wilson.

We haven't used the Patriots all season, and I'm trying to play this out like you would be. Plus, several teams are locked into playoff spots already will likely rest some star players.

As such, NEW ENGLAND IS MY TOP WEEK 18 SURVIVOR POOL PICK.

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No. 2 option: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Who they play: At Panthers – 1 p.m. (FOX)

If the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (8-8) win Sunday at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, they're the NFC South Division champs. That's a pretty big carrot for the Bucs, who will be going all out against the worst team in the NFL.

We haven't used the Buccaneers as the 2nd option all season, and it's nice to have that arrow in the quiver against the lowly Panthers. Carolina did give Tampa Bay all it could handle at Raymond James Stadium in Week 13, as Tampa won just 21-18. However, the Bucs have everything to play for, while the Panthers have already locked up the No. 1 overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft -- for the Chicago Bears. Ouch.

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

Week 13: WIN – Buccaneers 21, Panthers 18

Week 14: WIN – Saints 28, Panthers 6

Week 15: WIN – Colts 30, Steelers 13

Week 16: WIN – Packers 33, Panthers 30

Week 17: WIN – Jaguars 26, Panthers 0

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

Week 13: LOSS – Bengals 34, Jaguars 31 (OT)

Week 14: LOSS – Giants 24, Packers 22

Week 15: WIN – Browns 20, Bears 17

Week 16: LOSS – Patriots 26, Broncos 23

Week 17: WIN – Rams 26, Giants 25

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

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