NFL Survivor Pools got a break from the mayhem last week with favorites going 12-3 overall. So naturally, we brace for chaos in Week 8.
We’re approaching the midpoint of the schedule, so your survivor strategies must shift. While we played it safe earlier in the year, you’ll have to stick your neck out a little more each week to separate from the pack and also hold on to some heavyweights for late in the season.
I run down the Week 8 slate and give my best NFL Week 8 survivor pick as well as the “safest” selection, according to the NFL odds.
Good luck.
Best survivor pool bets for Week 8
Atlanta Falcons
Indianapolis Colts
My pick: Atlanta Falcons
Opponent: vs. Miami Dolphins
Moneyline odds: -350 (77.78% implied win probability)
The Atlanta Falcons laid an egg in the Bay Area on Sunday night, suffering a letdown spot after that big win over Buffalo in Week 6. Atlanta comes back home to host a Miami Dolphins team on the verge of implosion.
Miami is 1-6 and fresh from an ass-waxing courtesy of Cleveland. This is the Fins’ second straight road game and their third in four weeks. On top of that, the Dolphins could get caught looking ahead to a Thursday night date with Baltimore in Week 9… and Mike McDaniel’s subsequent firing following that game.
The Miami defense is so bad, and Atlanta shouldn’t need to stray too far from Page 1 of the playbook to put up points. Offensively, the Dolphins are sticking to Tua Tagovailoa under center despite the QB throwing six INTs the past two games.
If you still have the Falcons among your available squads, this seems like a solid week to use them up. Atlanta’s future value isn’t that bright beyond two matchups with New Orleans down the road.
FYI: Favorites coming off a loss are 26-9-1 SU this season.
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Safest pick: Indianapolis Colts
Opponent: vs. Tennessee Titans
Moneyline odds: -1250 (92.59% implied win probability)
If you haven’t used the Indianapolis Colts as a survivor selection this season, good for you. Indianapolis looks like a “sweat-free” option hosting the Tennessee Titans in Week 8.
Tennessee is terrible and could be missing significant players on both sides of the ball, with WR Calvin Ridley, CB L'Jarius Sneed, and DE Jeffery Simmons all listed as questionable. Interim head coach Mike McCoy looks lost and had questionable clock management decisions in the loss to New England — so much so that it had me asking, “Are they tanking in Week 7?”
The Colts crushed the L.A. Chargers on the road last weekend and already beat the bejesus out of Tennessee with a 41-20 flogging in Week 3.
The current spread of Indy -14.5 is tied as the biggest handicap of the 2025 season so far and could get even bigger if those Titans standouts are sidelined.
This is a good week to burn up the Colts if you haven’t already. Beyond Week 8, the road gets a little bumpier. They’ll play four of the next six away from Lucas Oil (with a Week 11 bye) and face Pittsburgh, Atlanta, Kansas City, Houston (twice), Seattle, San Francisco, and Jacksonville (twice).
Odds are correct at the time of publishing and are subject to change.
Not intended for use in MA.
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