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Things went according to plan in Week 6 in the National Football League as 12 favorites ended up winning outright — they even covered in 11 of those games. And, the 5 favorites of 5.5 or more points ended up winning outright, too, so there were very few upsets.
In fact, in the USA TODAY NFL Survivor Pool contest, just 5 people were eliminated in Week 6. There are still 64 of the 10,357 players who remain alive. After a wild first 5 weeks, things finally went the way the books suggested and there were no wild upsets.
As our 1st option last week, we were correct in taking the Philadelphia Eagles, coming off a bye week to get the job done against the lowly Cleveland Browns. Philly won 20-6.
While Cleveland managed just 244 total yards of offense with 5 sacks allowed and 7 penalties, it still made things rather close as it was tied 10-10 at halftime and Philly led just 13-10 after 3 quarters. In the end, the Browns covered as a 9.5-point underdog, one of just 3 dogs to bark in Week 6.
Our 2nd pick was backing the Atlanta Falcons on the road against the Carolina Panthers. Atlanta won 38-20.
The Panthers put up a good fight for a while. This game was tied 7-7 after 15 minutes and the Falcons led just 22-17 at the break. After 3 quarters, it was also a one-score game with Atlanta ahead 28-20. However, the Falcons pulled away in the 4th quarter for the comfortable 10-point victory — covering as 6-point favorites.
The Browns/Panthers fade strategy is an ace. Both are bad with a capital B, and the Browns just dealt WR Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills, taking away one of the few explosive weapons they had downfield.
In Week 7, we have 5 more teams favored by 5.5 or more points. Let’s hope the sense of normalcy remains this weekend.
Follow the USA TODAY NFL Survivor Pool.
– Games Sunday and ET unless noted
The pick: Washington Commanders
Who they play: Home vs. Carolina Panthers – 4:05 p.m. (CBS)
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds. Lines last updated Wednesday at 9:26 p.m. ET.
- Line: Commanders -7.5 / Moneyline (ML): Commanders -375 | Panthers +300
The Washington Commanders (4-2) put up a nice fight in Baltimore last week in the Battle of the Beltway, eventually falling 30-23 to the Ravens.
The Commanders offense has been explosive, which is not good news for the Carolina Panthers (1-5) defense. The Panthers have allowed 34 points or more, and 36.0 points per game (PPG), in the past 3 losses. Overall, Carolina has allowed 22 points or more in all 6 outings.
The Panthers switched from QB Bryce Young to QB Andy Dalton, and that has given the offense some life. But, losing DL Derrick Brown after Week 1, and LB Shaq Thompson in Week 4, to season-ending injuries, have exacerbated their problems. Carolina has so many holes to fill, and QB Jayden Daniels and the Washington offense will likely go wild at home in Week 7.
Conclusion: WASHINGTON IS MY TOP SURVIVOR PLAY IN WEEK 7.
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No. 2 option: Buffalo Bills
Who they play: Home vs. Tennessee Titans – 1 p.m. (CBS)
- Line: Bills -9 / ML: Bills -450 | Titans +350
Oh, you thought the Cincinnati Bengals here? It isn’t a bad pick, either, but they’re on the road in a rivalry game, so you never know.
The Buffalo Bills (4-2) are the biggest favorite on the board against the Tennessee Titans (1-4), and we haven’t used them this season as either the No. 1 or No. 2 option this season.
Buffalo looked OK against the New York Jets on Monday night in Week 6. It got the job done, however, with WR Khalil Shakir active, but not 100 percent, and rookie WR Keon Coleman coming along slowly, the Bills made a splash by landing Cooper prior to the deadline. He gives the Buffalo offense a legit WR1 who can spread the field, as the 2 young depth chart toppers were not scaring anybody.
It remains to be seen how many reps or targets Cooper will see, but it shouldn’t matter. Titans QB Will Levis is hot garbage, throwing for less than 100 yards last week against a leaky Indianapolis Colts pass D. The Titans do not have a prayer here.
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
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
FOOTBALL NEVER STOPS
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