NFL Week 1 Survivor Pool Pick and Best Bets

So I'll keep this short and sweet. Each week, I'll bring you the three best bets against the spread, as well as a pick for you Survivor pool players. I will, of course, not reuse any of my Survivor picks. 

DETROIT LIONS (+2) over Arizona Cardinals

It’s Week 1, so we don’t have anything to go on in making these early picks besides preseason hype, and preseason games that I did not watch. Entering the season I like the Lions. Most think their 9-7 season last year was a fluke, but I think it was a product of a very potent offense that will be much improved with RB Ameer Abdullah healthy, and offering them a semblance of a running game.

It’s possible the Cardinals throw all over their secondary, but it’s equally possible that Ezekiel Ansah harasses and injures old man Carson Palmer, and that the Cardinals’ defense lacks bite with LB/S Deonne Bucannon out for Week 1. At this stage of the season, I think it’s a little ballsy to to have Arizona giving two points on the road. 

Los Angeles Chargers (+3.5) over DENVER BRONCOS

The Chargers aren’t the home team, but they are getting more than a field goal vs. a teamfeel they are flat out better than. The Chargers have a loaded offense, and even though they’re up against Von Miller, I think they’ll be okay. The real reason I like them in this tilt is the other side of the equation – defense.

I like the Chargers D a lot this year, particularly the bookends of Joey Bosa and Melvin Ingram. I can see a team with pass rushers like this getting in QB Trevor Siemian’s face, and rendering him mostly useless. The Broncos’ offense is going to have trouble on offense this season, and I don’t want them giving more than a field goal.

New York Giants (+4) over DALLAS COWBOYS

Ezekiel Elliott is playing in this one, and Odell Beckham Jr. might not be. If he does play, there’s a chance he’s out there as a decoy. That sure seems like a reason to hop on the Cowboys bandwagon for a week, but I’m not. And the reason I’m not, is the Giants are Cowboys kryptonite. With big DT Damon Harrison in the middle of the defense, this is one of the few teams that has a prayer of containing Zeke. The Giants also have some of the best CBs in the NFL, while the Cowboys’ only real threat in the passing game is Dez Bryant. The way this shapes up, it’s going to be tough sledding for America’s Team this Sunday night, and all the Giants have to do is lose by a field goal to cover. Personally, I like Big Blue outright, but if that makes your butthole clench up, taking them +4 is safe.

SURVIVOR PICK: Pittsburgh Steelers over CLEVELAND BROWNS