NFL Survivor Pool: Week 7 Pick

Last Sunday began predictably for NFL survivalists. The Falcons jumped on Miami with both feet and led 17-0 at halftime.

Surely Atlanta -- a two-touchdown favorite and the third-most popular pick at 21 percent in a collection of pools, according to Survivor Grid -- would restore a semblance of sanity to this wacky season.

But, no. The Dolphins threw a shutout in the second half for a 20-17 upset and further cleaned out the pool.

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Hours later, no doubt Denver would fulfill expectations, right? The Broncos were coming off a bye week, and the visiting Giants were in need of several byes to get players healthy.

Yet New York was ahead from the get-go en route to a 23-10 win over the Broncos, also a two-TD fave and the most preferred choice at 30 percent by Survivor Grid’s reckoning.

Chances are, your cement pond has been all but drained. Call the pool guy for a cleaning.

Meantime, if you remain alive, take a deep breath because the Week 7 schedule is daunting. No team is favored by as much as a touchdown, and four of the fattest faves -- Dallas, Seattle, New Orleans and Tennessee, each at 5.5 or 6 points -- must hit the road.

Who would have imagined a week ago that the most tempting play would be against the Packers in Green Bay?

Well, when the QB matchup is Drew Brees against Brett Hundley and three-fifths of the Pack’s offensive line left Sunday's game with injuries, the Saints make perfect sense — if you overlook their below-grade defense.

Of the remaining travelers, I like Tennessee, though cautiously given that the Titans suited up Monday night. Their offense, after a languid start, picked up the pace late against the Colts, and QB Marcus Mariota’s improved health should allow him to unveil the usual array of run/pass talents.

Besides, the Browns have not won in, like, forever.

Neither has the 49ers, or so it seems, but San Fran is flirting weekly with victory. The margin of defeat has been two or three points for five consecutive weeks. They will break through soon, perhaps at home Sunday against Dallas, which might take the field without RB Ezekiel Elliott.

As for the Giants game, I’m not sold on visiting Seattle, even coming off of a bye. Beaten-up New York will get a hero's welcome home after downing Denver.

Only two other favorites are spotting much more than a field goal. However, the ‘dogs in each case -- the Ravens at Minnesota, the Bengals at Pittsburgh -- are capable of springing a mini-upset.

After a Week 6 in which four teams rounded up 93 percent of the survivor selections -- and No. 1 (Denver) and No. 3 (Atlanta) -- went down, it's a dart-throw weekend.

My dart lands on the Titans.

Season results to date:  

Steelers, won 21-18 over Browns

Raiders, won 45-20 over Jets

Packers, won 27-24 over Bengals

Falcons, lost 23-17 to Bills

Patriots, won 19-14 over Bucs

Broncos, lost 23-10 to Giants