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We were back to the upsets in NFL Week 8, as 5 teams favored by 2.5 or more points were beaten outright.
The Baltimore Ravens (-7), Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5), Miami Dolphins (-4.5), Minnesota Vikings (-2.5) and New York Jets (-7) were the teams to lose outright, and the Bengals, Dolphins and Jets were home favorites, which is even worse.
In Week 8 of the USA TODAY NFL Survivor Pool contest, we waved good-bye to 20 more contestants, leaving 41 of the 10,357 players still alive. We were starting to see some normalcy in October, but Week 8 bumped off nearly a third of the remaining players.
Last week, we went with the Ravens, who lost at home 29-24 to the Cleveland Browns. The Ravens entered on a 5-game win streak, while the Browns hadn’t scored more than 18 points in their first 7 games, and they lost QB Deshaun Watson to a season-ending injury. So, of course, Cleveland played its best game of the season. Ugh.
Our 2nd option was backing the Detroit Lions, and using a recent success strategy — fading the Tennessee Titans.
The Titans were actually hanging in there for a bit, answering the first 2 touchdowns by the Lions with scores of their own, before getting taken to the woodshed 52-14. It was tied 14-14 early in the 2nd quarter before the Lions scored 38 unanswered points in the rout.
Looking ahead to Week 9, we have 7 teams favored by 5 or more points, so there is a decent amount of favorites to select — the Pittsburgh Steelers and San Francisco 49ers are off this week as byes resume. We’ll be playing against 2 Sunshine State squads.
Follow the USA TODAY NFL Survivor Pool.
– Games Sunday and ET unless noted
The pick: Kansas City Chiefs
Who they play: Home vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers – Monday, 8:15 p.m. (ESPN)
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds. Lines last updated Thursday at 5:22 a.m. ET.
- Line: Chiefs -9 / Moneyline (ML): Chiefs -450 | Buccaneers +350
The Kansas City Chiefs (7-0) host the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4) on Monday Night Football at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium.
A few weeks ago, this might be a game you wouldn’t consider for survivor pool purposes. However, the Buccaneers lost WR Chris Godwin for the season in a Monday night game against the Ravens in Week 7, while WR Mike Evans suffered a hamstring injury that will keep him out at least one more game after this.
The Chiefs are the lone unbeaten team in the NFL and have won 13 in a row dating back to last season. If this game were in Tampa, even without its top receiver personnel, it wouldn’t be shocking to see the Bucs win at home. But on the road, no dice, as Tampa Bay is just too beaten up.
Conclusion: KANSAS CITY IS MY TOP SURVIVOR PLAY IN WEEK 9.
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No. 2 option: Philadelphia Eagles
Who they play: Home vs. Jacksonville Jaguars – 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
- Line: Eagles -7.5 / ML: Lions -350 | Titans +280
The Philadelphia Eagles (5-2) are more than a touchdown favorite against the Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6), who are in a world of hurt.
Last week, the Jaguars lost WR Christian Kirk for the season due to a broken collarbone. WR Brian Thomas Jr. sat out with a chest injury and is expected to miss Week 9, too. WR Gabe Davis (shoulder) is also in doubt, which would leave WR Parker Washington as the top target for QB Trevor Lawrence, at least among the wideouts.
Lawrence also won’t have OL Cam Robinson, who was traded to the Vikings Wednesday. That leaves Lawrence even worse off as he’ll have less protection as he tries to find his receivers.
It’s actually surprising that this isn’t a double-digit spread. Look for the Eagles to get the job done and move survivor pool players along to Week 10.
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2024 survivor game log
NO. 1 OPTION
Week 1: LOSS – Patriots 16, Bengals 10
Week 2: LOSS – Falcons 22, Eagles 21
Week 3: LOSS – Panthers 36, Raiders 22
Week 4: WIN – 49ers 30, Patriots 13
Week 5: LOSS – Giants 29, Seahawks 20
Week 6: WIN – Eagles 20, Browns 16
Week 7: WIN – Commanders 40, Panthers 7
Week 8: LOSS – Browns 29, Ravens 24
NO. 2 OPTION
Week 1: WIN – Saints 47, Panthers 10
Week 2: WIN – Chargers 26, Panthers 3
Week 3: LOSS – Giants 21, Browns 15
Week 4: WIN – Cowboys 20, Giants 15
Week 5: WIN – Commanders 34, Browns 13
Week 6: WIN – Falcons 38, Panthers 20
Week 7: WIN – Bills 34, Titans 10
Week 8: WIN – Lions 52, Titans 14
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