NFL Survivor Pool Picks, Strategy Week 9: Trust the Saints?

What are the best NFL survivor pool picks for Week 9? Making the right NFL survivor pool picks is crucial and we're here to help with top plays, contrarian picks and teams to avoid. 

Surprisingly, the New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns are the biggest betting favorites in Week 9 at Caesars Sportsbook, but are they the best picks for your survivor pool? Which team should you avoid this week? We break down the best survivor pool strategy for NFL Week 9. 

NFL Survivor Picks for Week 9

New Orleans Saints

I'm betting most people haven't used the Saints in survivor pools yet. Not only has 4-4 New Orleans been inconsistent this season, but their games have also been considered tossups by the oddsmakers.

The biggest spread in a Saints game this year is when they laid 4.5 points at home versus the Buccaneers. The other seven games had spreads of no more than a field goal. 

On Sunday, New Orleans is a touchdown favorite at home over the hapless Chicago Bears. This is the toughest survivor pool week of the season so far. Eight games have point spreads of three points or less.

With so many competitive games, teams like the Eagles, Cowboys and Chiefs are too big a risk. That means fading bad teams is the best strategy and the Bears certainly qualify as a bad team. 

If you are still weary of trusting the Saints, keep in mind Chicago's pass defense ranks 30th in the NFL. Derek Carr is starting to find his groove, throwing for 964 yards in his last three games. Carr should remain hot against a Bears defense giving up 262 yards per game through the air. 

In a week of uncertainty, the Saints are one of the safest survivor pool picks on the board. 

Cleveland Browns 

If you follow this article, you know I have been fading the Arizona Cardinals since they upset the Dallas Cowboys in Week 3. After that victory, Arizona is 0-5 and been outscored 146-76.

I'm not quite as confident backing the Browns but it's a tough week. Also, Cleveland is the largest favorite on the board at Caesars Sportsbook, laying eight points at home. Early in the week we don't know if Deshaun Watson will be back under center, although Myles Garrett and the Browns' defense should do most of the heavy lifting in this matchup. 

I don't want to go to the well too often but most people haven't used the Browns yet. And as I've said for the last month, if you are looking for a team to use in survivor pools, the one playing Arizona is never a bad choice. 

Contrarian Pick

Philadelphia Eagles 

There are a number of teams to avoid in Week 9. The list includes the Eagles, Cowboys, Chiefs, Dolphins, Bills and Bengals. This will be one of the toughest survivor pool weeks of the season, so don't overthink it and try to be a genius.

Stay away from the three marquee games and live to fight another day. 

Team to Avoid

Baltimore Ravens 

The Ravens are 5.5-point favorites over the Seattle Seahawks at Caesars Sportsbook this week. However, if you haven't used Baltimore in your survivor pool yet, I recommend waiting. 

The Seahawks are a tough opponent and while I believe the Ravens will prevail at home, it's likely to be a competitive game that comes down to the fourth quarter. I still have Baltimore as an option in my survivor pool. I'm eyeing Dec. 10 when the Ravens host the Rams. Hopefully my strategy works and I'm still alive then.

Either way, I'd rather fade the Bears or Cardinals in Week 9 than back Baltimore in this spot. Good Luck!