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The Pittsburgh Steelers and dozens of NFL teams have a game this weekend. With so many competitive matchups and options to choose from, it can be overwhelming for Survivor pool players. Fear not, as help is on the way. Here's a look at teams to grab a hold of and those to avoid.
NFL Week 5 Survivor Pool Picks
New England Patriots
The New England Patriots are 1-3 and have suffered some painful losses this season. However, this week's opponent is in worse shape than the Patriots. The Dolphins will be facing the Patriots in their stadium as the weather begins to cool.
Tua Tagovailoa is expected to miss the game, and as such, after getting blown out by the Tennessee Titans' backup, the Dolphins appear to be as easy as it gets in the NFL for the Patriots.
Seattle Seahawks
The Seattle Seahawks are coming off a primetime loss to the Detroit Lions, one of the favorites in the NFC coming into the year. This week, they face the New York Giants and after getting humbled, will be hungry to get back into the win column.
As a bonus, the game will serve as a revenge game for Geno Smith, who spent one season with the Giants and four more seasons in the same stadium as the Jets.
NFL Week 5 Contrarian Pool Picks
Pittsburgh Steelers
The Pittsburgh Steelers are coming off a loss that some claim exposed the team. However, the Dallas Cowboys are coming off a win that may have revealed big weaknesses in their game.
As a one-dimensional offense that lives and dies with Dak Prescott, the Pittsburgh Steelers defense should have little trouble putting the clamps on the scariest members of the team's wide receivers. This sets the bar low for Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Justin Fields, who ended up having a decent outing last week with a 104.0 passer rating.
Minnesota Vikings
The Minnesota Vikings are undefeated and will face Aaron Rodgers in Europe this Sunday. There is plenty of history between the franchise and the Jets quarterback, but the Vikings were able to defeat him toward the end of their late-stage matchups against the Packers.
As such, with the quarterback showing his age last week against Denver, the Vikings have every reason to walk away with a win.
NFL Week 5 Teams to Avoid
New York Giants
The New York Giants have slipped to 1-3 and the pressure on Daniel Jones is immense. Malik Nabers might be able to play in the contest against the Seahawks, but might still have some rust to shake off in the game.
Of course, that is assuming that he plays. If he misses the contest, as is also likely, the Giants are expected to have a long day on Sunday.
Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams are as desperate for a win as anyone. Unfortunately for Matthew Stafford, the former Lions quarterback will face his biggest foe from the NFC North.
Stafford will take on a secondary that has Jaire Alexander and Xavier McKinney. McKinney leads the league in interceptions and Alexander isn't far behind. As such, skip the Rams this week.
NFL Week 5 Survivor Pool strategies and more
Hopefully, up to this point in the season you have been using up your more difficult teams first. If not, you need to start doing so.
If you fail early on, you can always usually start a new account. If you use up your easy teams and fail late, you have wasted most of the season.
Wait until the last possible moment to make your selection. If you go all-in on a team early in the week and it is learned your quarterback is suddenly out, you have to remember to log back in and change your pick. Those who are unlucky will not be able to.
Put a calendar reminder to make your selection as late in the week as possible while still allowing time to delay your selection if you are too busy to get to it when the day rolls around.
