In Week 11, I mentioned how the Detroit Lions were my favorite pick but I was saving them for the following week and instead taking the Washington Commanders to beat the New York Giants. That turned out to be an awful decision all around.
Not only did Washington lose to Tommy Devito for my first survivor pool miss, but Detroit was upset the following week, handing me two straight misses after starting 10-0.
Just because my pool is cooked doesn’t mean yours has to be, though. I’ll continue to dish out my five favorites each week and find a new top pick each time to hopefully lend a helping hand. Before we get to Week 13, here’s a look at where things stand:
Record: 10-2
Already used: Ravens, Bills, Chiefs, 49ers, Dolphins, Rams, Seahawks, Chargers, Saints, Cowboys, Commanders (L), Lions (L)
5
Dallas Cowboys (vs. Seattle Seahawks)
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
Based on how these teams are playing coming into this one, the Cowboys should win easily. The only thing keeping them lower in this ranking is the game being on Thursday night, where weird things sometimes happen.
4
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Carolina Panthers)
Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports
I seriously considered elevating the Bucs to my top pick of the week, considering I’ve already used the majority of these teams. Of course, it’s less about trusting the Bucs and more about how bad the Panthers are. Not to mention Carolina is on the road for a second straight game, fresh off of firing its head coach. This is a game the Bucs should win.
3
Detroit Lions (at New Orleans Saints)
AP Photo/Duane Burleson
Yes, the Lions are struggling lately, particularly on defense. But the Saints are struggling all around. If I have to take one of these teams to bust out of their slump against the other, it’s definitely going to be Detroit.
2
Miami Dolphins (at Washington Commanders)
I don’t care that this game is in Washington. The Dolphins have one of the NFL’s best offenses and get a bad Commanders defense fresh off of firing their defensive coordinator. Washington is toast.
1
Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)
AP Photo/Eric Gay
I still have a hard time trusting the Jaguars, but luckily for them and anyone who wants to take them in survivor this week, the Bengals don’t have Joe Burrow. This is a game a playoff team like the Jaguars should win.
