If you're participating in an NFL survivor pool in 2025, the best way to set yourself up for success heading into the season is to have a plan. In certain formats, such as those that split the Thanksgiving and Christmas slates into their own game weeks, some level of planning is mandatory. But even in standard 18-week formats, putting together an effective survivor strategy will help identify which weeks will be pain points for those who have not thought ahead properly.

Last year, the Bengals were the consensus survivor pick in Week 1 as the biggest favorite by far. We suggested pivoting away from them to the Saints, a team playing the Panthers at home that we knew would be tough to use later in the year. Alternatively, we penciled the Bengals in for Week 9, when the only other top picks were teams we needed in other parts of the schedule. 

While Cincinnati was shockingly upset by the Patriots in Week 1, the Saints cruised to a 47-10 win and quickly became a team no one could trust after only a few weeks. The Bengals went on to have no issue defeating the Raiders in Week 9.

In order to win a survivor pool, you have to either get to the end of the season without missing a single pick or be the last person remaining when everyone else loses a game. Our survivor pool strategy highlights strategies for both 18-week and 20-week formats, and after we break down the schedule week by week to show my projected best options for every single slate, we'll build multiple NFL survivor roadmaps to use as a cheat sheet for the season.

Why listen to me? I'm 718-623-37 and up more than 32 units on ATS picks over the last eight years and even better with my top five picks each week, going 464-379-27 (55%) over the last 10 years in the Las Vegas ATS contests. While survivor doesn't involve picking against the spread, I do believe by applying the strategies I've developed to have long-term success on those picks to survivor pools, we'll be in the best position to outlast the competition this season.

In Week 1, I'm taking a little more risk "by playing a lower-tier team." This team will not be on many survivor players' radar, potentially giving its backers a huge boost. This pick could be the difference between winning your survivor pool or going home with nothing.

So which NFL survivor picks should you make for the 2025 NFL season, and which Week 1 pick could separate you from the pack? ... Join SportsLine right now to see NFL Survivor Pool 2025 strategy from the expert who's 718-623-37 on ATS picks from 2017 to 2024, returning more than 32 units!

LIMITED TIME: Use promo code CHAMPIONSHIP to get your first month for $1 JOIN NOW.