Last week was brutal. The Texans, Jets, and Panthers all lost. Upsets are a part of the NFL and survivor pools, but it stings when the “better” team just got outplayed. If you’re still reading this, that means you are still alive in your survivor pool. There are some more enticing options in Week 8. Stay alive and give yourself the best chance for the future by picking these teams.
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Week 8 NFL Survivor Picks
Los Angeles Rams (-6.5) vs. Los Angeles Chargers
While the Rams and Chargers share a stadium, this is still a normal home game for the Rams. The Rams have the second-highest home attendance in the league, while the Chargers are just 20th. Regardless of how many fans show up for either side, this is a clear mismatch. Although the Chargers are coming off a much-needed bye, they are the only winless team in the league. The Chargers are dead last in DVOA while the Rams rank 10th. It has been an up-and-down season for Matthew Stafford and company as they dropped games to the Cardinals and Broncos. However, they have gone toe to toe with the Bills and beat up on the rest of their below-average opponents. Injuries at WR and TE sting, but they have found ways around it.
The only real concern with taking the Rams is their future value. Entering the season as a Super Bowl frontrunner, the Rams have a lot of hype around them. While they disappointed early on, they look as good as anybody. The biggest issue is that their schedule is brutal. You can reasonably expect the Rams to beat any of the Seahawks, 49ers, Chiefs, Cowboys, and Buccaneers. How many of those games do you actually want to take them in your survivor pool, though?
After Week 12, there are no good spots to take the Rams at home. Even before that, the only home games you are considering are this one and Week 12 against the Packers. You can pick them on the road, but they will never have a matchup as mismatched as this. The Chargers are arguably the worst team in the league, and a bye week, while helpful, is unlikely to change that. The Rams are my top survivor pool pick in Week 8.
New England Patriots (-7) at Miami Dolphins
A road divisional game seems like the perfect storm for yet another upset, but I will not be deterred by the narrative. The New England Patriots are looking much closer to last year’s AFC Championship winner than their early season start suggested. After some brutal matchups against some of the league’s best defenses, Drake Maye is back. Since Week 4, Maye has thrown for 1,199 yards, 12 TDs, and just two interceptions. Maye ranks sixth in adjusted EPA/play amongst QBs despite a start where he threw just a single TD but six interceptions. The Miami Dolphins got an upset win over the New York Jets, but the Patriots are a much better team.
New England ranks 12th in DVOA while the Dolphins are just 30th. Although Miami is showing flashes of a competent offense, they are still a ways away from being a good team. Rookie WR Caleb Douglas caught two of three passes for 70 yards and two TDs and should be a threat going forward. However, the Patriots defense ranks 13th in DVOA and rosters one of the best CBs in the league in Christian Gonzalez.
The real concern for this game is whether you should save the Patriots for the future. While New England plays the Chargers, Vikings, Jets, and Dolphins after this week, most of those are road games. The exceptions are the Vikings, who boast perhaps the league’s best defense, and the Dolphins in Week 18. Looking at Week 18 is almost pointless. Teams often bench starters when they have nothing to play for, especially playoff teams who could benefit from the extra rest for their stars. The Patriots are not guaranteed to be in that situation but plenty of other teams will be. There may be many more options to consider that week. If you’re going to take the Patriots on the road, this is the time. Despite a loss last week, they are on fire. The Patriots also have extra rest after playing on Thursday Night Football. They look like one of the best survivor pool picks in Week 8.
Washington Commanders (-5.5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Tanner McKee and the Eagles may be dealing with injuries, retirements, and general ineptitude, but they genuinely look decent. Unfortunately, mild success has not resulted in a win yet. The Eagles with McKee are being outscored 63-35 in two games. They have faced the Cowboys and Panthers, fifth and 12th in offensive DVOA, respectively. The Commanders are not nearly as threatening at 21st. What the Commanders do have, though, is balance. While below-average across the board, they are not horrendous on defense like the Dallas Cowboys are. The Cowboys were getting gashed by Saquon Barkley and the run game, but that was against the 31st-ranked defense by DVOA.
You also have to account for the fact that Jayden Daniels was hurt for part of the year. Marcus Mariota and Athan Kaliakmanis are just not going to be as good. Daniels ranks 17th amongst QBs in adjusted EPA/play this season. While the Commanders are 0-3-1 with Daniels as a starter, they have kept most of their games very close. The Commanders kept the score within two when they played a much healthier Eagles team in Philadelphia back in September. They also drew in overtime against the Giants and only lost by a single score on the road against an elite 49ers team.
Jayden Daniels may not be at his best this season, but he is incredibly capable despite the injuries this team has suffered. Coming off a bye, they can beat a 28-ranked DVOA Eagles team at home. There’s a lot more risk in trusting the Commanders over a team like the Rams, but you save yourself even more future value. There are no good spots to use Washington after Week 8.
Make sure to check out all of our Week 8 Fantasy Football Rankings and Analysis!
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