If you are unaware of what NFL survivor picks are, the basic concept is you make NFL picks throughout the season, but you can only pick a team once. Once you lose, you’re knocked out, so choose your Week 6 NFL Survivor Pool picks wisely.
If you are new to reading my survivor articles, what I do is outline my “lock of the week,” my “value of the week” and my “high-risk, high-reward pick of the week.”
The lock of the week details what team I think has the best chance of winning their matchup. This would most likely be a good team that plays a bad team. The lock is also the official pick for NFL Survivor Pools, meaning we will not reuse a “lock.” My value pick of the week details a mid-tier team that has a good matchup. And finally, my high-risk, high-reward pick details a bad team that has a good matchup. It may be worth it to look at the NFL betting odds for these games and place some bets as well.
Week 6 NFL Survivor Pool Picks
Lock of the Week | Best Pick for NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 6
Houston Texans vs. New England Patriots
Coming in as seven-point favorites, the Houston Texans take on the New England Patriots this week. Even though the Texans will be without star pass catcher Nico Collins this week, I am not worried about the Patriots in the slightest bit. It feels like the Texans need a statement win this season and I think that the game against the Patriots is the game to do so. While the Texans passing attack is the main focus of their offense, I actually think that the run game is what can win this game. With Joe Mixon seemingly out again, I think that Cam Akers and company can do enough, especially with the whole Jabrill Peppers situation. When you factor in that the Patriots have given up the sixth-most rushing yards (657) through five games this season, and it is reasonable to believe that getting the linebackers to cheat up on the run will open up Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell in the passing game.
On top of the obvious advantage for Houston regarding their offense, it was reported that Drake Maye will see his first start of the season. That is music to my ears, as even though I think Maye will develop into a good quarterback in this league, I don’t expect that to come right away. The Texans have been somewhat stingy against the run this season, giving up the 12th-fewest number of rushing yards this season, so it is hard to believe that Maye will be able to rely on his run game for the entirety of the game.
Lock of the Week: Houston Texans
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Value Pick of the Week | Week 6 NFL Survivor Pool Picks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. New Orleans Saints
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have been outperforming expectations this season, and that has come on the back of Baker Mayfield’s play through the first five weeks. After starting the season as one of the best teams in the NFL, the Saints have now dropped three in a row and lost Derek Carr for what seems to be many weeks. That leaves the rookie Spencer Rattler in to showcase his skills as a possible future replacement for Carr. Much like my prediction with Maye and the Patriots, bringing a rookie quarterback into his first game in the middle of the season will be tough.
For the Buccaneers on offense, the Saints are a team you can certainly run the ball effectively against. Rachaad White has struggled this year, but Bucky Irving has looked good in his time on the field. I think that both running backs can get going in this one though, as the Saints are right behind the Patriots in most rushing yards given up this season. We know that Marshon Lattimore has done a great job of taking Mike Evans out of games, but with the running backs and Chris Godwin, I think the Buccaneers have way too much firepower for the Saints to handle.
Value Pick of the Week: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
High Risk, High Reward Pick of the Week | Week 6 NFL Survivor Pool Picks
Tennessee Titans vs. Indianapolis Colts
For as bad as Will Levis has been for the Titans this season, their defense has been great. This week, they take on a battered Indianapolis Colts team, who will be without Michael Pittman and maybe without Jonathan Taylor. With two of Indianapolis’ stars out of the game, it is going to be tough to find points. The Colts probably stand a better chance to win this week if Joe Flacco starts, but it is very apparent that if he is healthy, Anthony Richardson will start. Given the Titans’ ability to contain the run, Richardson and company may have a very tough time moving the ball.
The Colts have also given up 626 yards on the ground through five games this season. If there is any game for Levis to revitalize his season, it is if the run game can get going. We know that the Titans want to get the run game going, so if Tony Pollard and Tyjae Spears can provide any sort of production on offense, then I think Levis can actually register a decent game. With Calvin Ridley and DeAndre Hopkins seemingly healthy, it really seems like the Titans can sneak a division win here.
High Risk, High Reward Pick of the Week: Tennessee Titans