Who to take in Week 12 in your NFL survivor pool

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3011″ ]

In Week 11 of the NFL regular season, favorites went 10-4 straight up, with the Seattle Seahawks providing the largest upset as 6-point underdogs on the road against the San Francisco 49ers.

We also saw our last unbeaten team, the Kansas City Chiefs, fall on the road as slight underdogs at the Buffalo Bills. There is almost no chance anyone selected the Chiefs in a survivor pool despite their previously unblemished record.

In Week 11 of the USA TODAY NFL Survivor Pool contest, no more people were shown the door, leaving 26 of the 10,357 still alive for the prize of $5,000. However, on Thursday night in Week 12, the Pittsburgh Steelers cost 5 people in a snowy battle on the road against the Cleveland Browns.

We selected the Detroit Lions in Week 11 against the Jacksonville Jaguars, with the home side blasting the visitors 52-6 in one of the most stress-free victories of the entire NFL season for survivor players. QB Mac Jones continues to struggle as a replacement for the injured QB Trevor Lawrence (shoulder).

In the second option, on Monday Night Football, the Houston Texans were a risky play on the road, even against the struggling Dallas Cowboys and backup QB Cooper Rush. Houston, which won 34-10, fired out of the chute 14-0 in the opening quarter, and after just a 17-10 lead at halftime, the Texans outscored the Cowboys 17-0 in the final 30 minutes for the comfortable victory.

Scoping out the Week 12 slate, we have 7 favorites of 6 or more points, including a pair of double-digit favorites, including one divisional matchup.

Follow the USA TODAY NFL Survivor Pool.

– All games Sunday and ET unless noted

The pick: Houston Texans

Who they play: Home vs. Tennessee Titans – 1 p.m. (CBS)

Odds provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of NFL odds. Lines last updated Friday at 5:44 a.m. ET.

Line: Texans -8 / Moneyline (ML): Texans -450 | Titans +340

The Texans (7-4) host the stumbling Tennessee Titans (2-8) after thumping the Cowboys on national television Monday night. Yes, it is a short week, and yes, the Titans are a divisional opponent. Heck, we got a reminder Thursday from a 2-win Cleveland team that nothing is a certainty.

However, the Texans swept the Titans last season, including a 26-3 victory at NRG Stadium on New Year’s Eve as a 5.5-point favorite in a lower-scoring game. Tennessee has been held to 11.0 points per game (PPG) in the past 3 losses in this series.

Let’s roll with QB C.J. Stroud, who has WR Nico Collins back healthy, as Houston looks to solve a surprisingly solid Tennessee defense. The Titans have allowed just 278.0 total yards, and 164.6 passing yards, so this will be a closer shave than expected. However, Houston will eventually get the job done at home.

HOUSTON IS MY FAVORITE SURVIVOR PLAY OF WEEK 12.

FOOTBALL NEVER STOPS
Live games, analysis and more 7 days a week: Get ESPN+

[gambcom-standard rankid=”3012″ ]

No. 2 option: Kansas City Chiefs

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

Line: Chiefs -11 / ML: Chiefs -700 | Panthers +500

The Chiefs are a road team, and we try to avoid options away from home if we can help it. However, Kansas City will be angry after suffering its first loss of the season against the Buffalo Bills.

The Chiefs are east of the Mississippi River for the second consecutive weekend, and they hope it goes better than last week. Of course, facing the Panthers and facing the Bills is just a little bit different. QB Patrick Mahomes will look to get back on track against a Chiefs defense allowing 386.9 total yards and 31.0 PPG.

As a favorite this season, Kansas City is perfect straight up (8-0) in 8 outings this season. It has won 10 in a row, including the postseason, when favored. The most recent setback was a 20-14 loss on Christmas Day last season as an 11-point favorite against the Las Vegas Raiders at Arrowhead.

Other(s) to consider

Tampa Bay Buccaneers: At New York Giants – 1 p.m. (CBS)

Line: Buccaneers -6 / ML: Buccaneers -6 (-105) | Giants +6 (-115)

Washington Commanders: Home vs. Dallas Cowboys – 1 p.m. (FOX)

Line: Commanders -10.5 / ML: Commanders -10.5 (-105) | Cowboys +10.5 (-115)

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
Week 9: WIN – Chiefs 30, Buccaneers 24 (OT)
Week 10: WIN – Vikings 12, Jaguars 7

Week 11: WIN – Lions 52, Jaguars 6

WIN YOUR FANTASY FOOTBALL LEAGUE!
The Huddle has been turning players like you into winners for over 25 years. This season, it’s your turn. Custom fantasy football rankings, sleepers and tools are just a click away. Save 25% off the Internet’s best-kept secret. Subscribe now!

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
Week 9: WIN – Eagles 28, Jaguars 23
Week 10: WIN – Chargers 27, Titans 17

Week 11: WIN – Texans 34, Cowboys 10

[gambcom-standard rankid=”5″ ]

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

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=1367]