This is the most difficult week for survivor pools. Most weeks, there have been at least a couple obvious, heavy favorites. In Week 12, there are no double-digit favorites. The biggest favorites are the Cowboys at -7.5. There are 12 games with a line of four or fewer. 

Here are my top survivor picks for the week.

  1. Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys are coming off a 19-9 loss to the Chiefs. The defense played well after a slow start and gave the offense numerous chances to get back in the game, but they couldn't get anything going. The Cowboys offense should get back on track at home. Tyron Smith could return to help the offensive line, but Amari Cooper is out and CeeDee Lamb needs to pass the concussion protocol. The Raiders have scored 43 points the last three games and lost all of them. Derek Carr and the offense has struggled and he passed for 215 yards last week against the Bengals. He has four touchdowns and four interceptions over the last three.  
  2. New England Patriots: The Patriots are one of the hottest teams in the NFL and enter the week in first place in the AFC East. They have won five consecutive games and have the extra rest after playing on Thursday in Week 11. They have outscored opponents, 94-13, the last three games. Mike Vrabel knows the Patriots well, but the Titans offense has been struggling without Derrick Henry and A.J. Brown is dealing with injuries again. The receiving corps is thin with Julio Jones and Marcus Johnson out. The Titans are coming off a loss to the Texans in which Ryan Tannehill threw four interceptions. The Titans are 29th in yards per play without Henry. 
  3. Baltimore Ravens: The Ravens are 7-3 and coming off a road win where Lamar Jackson was out due to illness and Marquise Brown was out with a thigh injury. Both are expected to play. The Ravens are 2-2 in their last four games, with both wins by three points. The Browns have been inconsistent and just escaped with a 13-10 win over a bad Lions team last week. Baker Mayfield has been playing through injuries and has looked awful and the receiving corps is dealing with injuries, too. Kareem Hunt is expected to return and that will help the offense along with the potential return of tackle Jack Conklin. A divisional game in prime time is always difficult, but the Ravens are the better team. 

Last week: 2-1

Season: 28-5