And just like that, it’s NFL Week 18 and the final week of your survivor pool. It’s been a long and arduous road, and while I don’t want to be trite or cliche, making it this far is an accomplishment all unto itself. But we know the work isn’t done. 

You have one more pick to make and it’s for all the marbles. There is no more survivor pool strategy to adhere to anymore. This is it. Make one more pick and share in the prize or suffer the ultimate angst of making it this far with nothing to show for it.

 

 

 

If you’ve been tailing these survivor pool picks, then you already know how well we have finished up this season. Last week, we offered up four successful picks and have only missed on one team over the last five weeks, we’ve only missed one pick. It’s all about finishing strong, so let’s not waste any time patting ourselves on the back. Week 18 is here and we need to make picks.

Best NFL Survivor Pool Strategy For 2024 NFL Week 18

As far as the best survivor pool strategy goes, one of my most important criteria is using a team that actually has something to play for here in Week 18. We’ll look at teams that are fighting for their playoff lives first. A win and they’re in is always a nice investment, depending on the match-up. 

If we don’t have any of those teams available, then we look to teams playing their starters and have an incentive like improved playoff seeding potential. If you still don’t have anyone available, then we should look at the opponents of teams resting all of their starters. That is how I am going down and creating my list for the best survivor pool strategy. 

We’ll also take a look at the points spreads, the Vegas money lines and then see who is at home. We’ve used road teams before, depending on the weekly match-up, but home teams are still usually my preference, though this week might be a road week depending on who you have available. 

I also don’t want weather to factor into the outcome of any team I use for my survivor pool picks, so be sure to always check the weather. Now it’s time to make those NFL Week 18 survivor pool picks!

 

 

 

NFL Survivor Pool Picks For Week 18

Baltimore Ravens (-17.5 Home Favorite; -2000 Money Line)

If for some reason you still have the Ravens available, this is probably the easiest pick to make. They need the win to take the AFC North crown and earn the No. 3 seed for the playoffs. 

If they lose and the Steelers beat the Bengals, they will fall to the No. 5 seed. Fortunately for them, they play the Browns who are an absolute mess. Ravens should win this one handily and then sit back and watch the rest of the conference.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-13.5 Home Favorite; -900 Money Line)

Win and they’re in. Well, a win and they take the NFC South and earn the No. 4 seed. They could, in fact, move up to the No. 3 seed with a win and a Rams loss, but the focal point is just on this game. 

Baker Mayfield has been on-fire, Mike Evans needs just five receptions for 85 yards to take home another $3M in contract incentives and Bucky Irving is stating his case for Offensive Rookie of the Year, even though that should go to Jayden Daniels. Either way, the Bucs should have little to no trouble with the Saints this week.

 

 

 

Denver Broncos (-10.5 Home Favorite; -550 Money Line)

Another ‘win and they’re in’ scenario. The Broncos control their own destiny and can maintain their hold on the No. 7 seed with a win against a Chiefs team that is expected to rest all of its starters.

Andy Reid was one of the first coaches to start resting his players before the playoffs and given Patrick Mahomes’ ankle situation and all the players they’ve lost along the way, I expect the Chiefs to play it safe. Denver should be able to take care of business and punch their ticket to the big dance. 

Atlanta Falcons (-8.5 Home Favorite; -450 Money Line)

Without the win, there is no chance for the playoffs. The Falcons need to take care of the Panthers and then also have the Buccaneers lose in order to win the NFC South. 

If they don’t, they go home. They go home with any sort of Tampa Bay win, so it’s all or nothing here against one of the league’s biggest bottom-feeders. They play at the same time as the Bucs, so the only thing standing in our way here is if Tampa goes up really big, really early.

 

 

 

Best of luck here in Week 18! May you make the right call for your survivor pool picks and start the new year with a big bundle of cash.