Analysis

10/30/23

4 min read

NFL 2023 Week 9 Survivor Pool Picks, Predictions

By Ryan Reynolds

Week 9 is a brutal week for survivor pools because there are no slam dunk options on this slate. It doesn’t help that three contending teams — the San Francisco 49ers, Detroit Lions and Jacksonville Jaguars — are all on byes. That means we have to take a look at some unreliable options. For our finalized survivor pool analysis later this week, check out our free Discord. 

Week 9 Survivor Pool Picks

Pittsburgh Steelers (vs. Tennessee Titans)

Injuries to Kenny Pickett and Minkah Fitzpatrick could be an issue here. Aside from that, the Pittsburgh Steelers will likely host Will Levis in his second professional start on a short week. The Steelers’ defense will also have a trench advantage against the Tennessee Titans. This is a volatile play, but it shouldn’t be ruled out on this difficult slate.

Best Remaining Matchups: Week 10 vs. GB, Week 13 vs. ARI, vs. NE (TNF)

Cleveland Browns (vs. Arizona Cardinals)

The Cleveland Browns are currently the biggest favorite on the Week 9 slate. The Browns’ defense could potentially dominate and, therefore, carry this game. Cleveland’s offense, however, is completely untrustworthy. Still, given the tough slate, expect the Browns to be among the most popular options this week.

Best Remaining Matchups: Week 12 at DEN, Week 15 vs. CHI

New Orleans Saints (vs. Chicago Bears)

New Orleans will be among the more popular options this week, even if Justin Fields returns to action for the Chicago Bears. The New Orleans Saints’ defense has been rock solid all year, while Derek Carr’s passing attack showed some long-awaited ceiling last week against the Colts. If both New Orleans units can play to their potential, the Saints will be a tough out going forward. If Tyson Bagent starts for the Bears, New Orleans could end up as a full seven-point favorite.

Best Remaining Matchups: Week 14 vs. CAR, Week 15 vs. NYG

Atlanta Falcons (vs. Minnesota Vikings)

You cannot trust the Atlanta Falcons, but you can bet against the Minnesota Vikings without Kirk Cousins. Presumptive starter Jaren Hall is a fifth-round rookie who threw his first four professional passes last week. Perhaps the Vikings will find a better option, but for now, Atlanta faces the inexperienced Hall. That alone makes the Falcons worthy of survivor consideration this week.

>>WATCH: Impact of Cousins' Injury

Best Remaining Matchups: Week 10 at ARI, Week 15 at CAR, Week 17 at CHI

Houston Texans (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)

This kind of matchup should be avoided in most scenarios. That said, with the Houston Texans, you get a home team with the better quarterback in C.J. Stroud. On a tough slate like this one, you can’t completely rule out slight home favorites with an important talent advantage.

Best Remaining Matchups: Week 11 vs. ARI, Week 13 vs. DEN, Week 17 vs. TEN

New England Patriots (vs. Washington Commanders)

Bill Belichick has a long-standing reputation of making young quarterback’s lives miserable. Unfortunately, Belichick’s New England Patriots cannot be trusted as currently constructed. Further, Sam Howell has played some pretty good football lately. You could argue he’s the best quarterback in this matchup.

>>WATCH: Howell Impressive Even In Loss

Best Remaining Matchups: Week 10 vs. IND, Week 12 at NYG

Indianapolis Colts (at Carolina Panthers)

The Carolina Panthers are coming off their first win, while the Indianapolis Colts have been a tougher out than expected this season. We intend to avoid the Colts on the road, but this contest warrants mention.

>>WATCH: How Panthers Earned First Victory

Best Remaining Matchups: Week 10 vs. NE (Europe), Week 13 at TEN, Week 17 vs. LV

Ryan Reynolds is the associate director of fantasy and betting at The 33rd Team. He has watched every snap of every NFL game since 2014 and has been covering NFL betting markets for five years. Follow him @RyanReynoldsNFL on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.  

Tags: Atlanta Falcons, Cleveland Browns, Houston Texans See More

Ryan Reynolds

Ryan graduated with distinction from the University of Minnesota as an accounting major, but some of the most valuable business and investment lessons he has ever learned came from spending weekends learning the sports collectibles business from his father. At a young age, Ryan would voluntarily spend hours sifting through minor league baseball statistics, using his father’s analytics-based system to identify potential targets. Even then, the hitter’s swing or the pitcher’s “stuff” mattered more to Ryan than the perspective granted through just data.

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