NFL Week 8 is here and it was another week of very few upsets, so not to many people were bounced from their survivor pools. We got really close with the New York Giants almost upending the Denver Broncos at home, but an amazing fourth-quarter comeback put things right. I say amazing because I had Denver with a few of my survivor picks, so I was freaking out throughout the game. But that makes this week’s selections that much more important and anxiety levels are climbing. It’s only Week 8 and there’s a long way to go, but the tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife. So now we have the calm before the storm and everyone is scrambling to avoid this week’s big upset. Remember, the best survivor pool strategy isn’t simply about picking the biggest favorite each week; it’s about understanding matchups, managing risk, and planning several weeks ahead. Those who are still in it are ready to scratch and claw their way to the final weeks, so identifying the best survivor pool strategy can be the key to outlasting the competition and claiming the prize. In this week’s article we'll take you through our process to help you make the most sensible picks to advance to next week and beyond.

 

 

Best NFL Survivor Pool Strategy for 2025 NFL Week 8

We are still of the belief that the best survivor pool strategy here in the first half of the season, revolves around the "chalky" plays. We’re always looking ahead, but right now, we’re still looking at the reliable favorites with the biggest spreads, but not overexposed in most pools. We prefer to have a home team and, in a lot of cases, avoid divisional matchups and short weeks, so don’t expect to see much in the way of Thursday Night Football picks. 

For NFL Week 8, the premium examples are likely to be the Indianapolis Colts who are a two-touchdown, home favorite home against the Tennessee Titans, and the Kansas City Chiefs who are a 10.5-point home favorite against the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football. Our friends over at Pool Genius point out, the Colts have a 34-percent popularity score, highest of the week, and only a 0.7 Future Value while the Chiefs have only a five-percent popularity score and a 2.7 Future Value. Why aren’t they popular? Well, for one thing, many have already used the Chiefs so if you have them, you’re in great shape. Another is their Future Value. With games later in the season against the Titans and Raiders, many are tryin to hold them for those weeks. As for the Colts, some might shy away because it’s a divisional game, but if you’ve watched any Titans game this year, you may be of the mindset that it’s time to strike now..

Dominate Your Survivor Pool with Pool Genius

Back in Week 3, you got a great introduction to Pool Genius and everything they have to offer. It doesn’t matter that it’s Week 8 – there is still an opportunity for you to join and still take advantage of everything they have to offer. If this is your first time hearing about them, please allow me to show you the way, because they have some exciting tools to help you make the right picks. What happens is, you load in all the information about your pool – how many total participants, cost per entry, specific rules to your pool regarding things like repeat picks or buybacks and since we are already here in Week 5, who you’ve taken so far. From there, they analyze all the data and make suggestions as to who to take, so it is a VERY personalized service.

To continue guiding you, I am using all the tools Pool Genius has to offer and making one of my picks based solely off their data and recommendations. The pick I had been tracking in this article series had Arizona in Week 5, so I am shifting gears. I have a few other picks in pool, so I am still using the tools here, but instead of trying to track another pick, I will simply discuss the top few recommended picks overall and from there, you can determine who you want to take each week.

The top Pool Genius recommendations are as follows:

  1. Indianapolis Colts (vs. Tennessee Titans, 34% popularity)
  2. Philadelphia Eagles (vs New York Giants, 7% popularity)
  3. Atlanta Falcons (vs Miami Dolphins, 22% popularity)
  4. New England Patriots (vs Cleveland Browns, 7% popularity)

According to Pool Genius the Colts are expected to be the most popular pick this week and as a 14-point favorite with a -1200 money line, it’s pretty understandable. Even though it is a divisional match-up we’re still as bullish on the Colts as the popularity score reads. The game that ranks second-highest in popularity is actually the Atlanta Falcons at 22-percent. They’re a strong home favorite and the Dolphins look like a hot mess. But the team Pool Genius lists as their second-favorite is the Eagles. It’s a home game and the they’re a seven-point favorite, but most of all, they don’t care that this is a divisional matchup against an opponent who just beat them two weeks ago. Perhaps they don’t believe that lightning can strike twice for the Giants this season. I’m of that mindset as well, but enough to pick against my wife’s favorite team two weeks in a row? That game against Denver was scary! 

Now before I get to my favorite picks to use, I do want to remind you that Pool Genius is a paid service, but for the Fantasy Alarm #Family, they have some discounts available to you. The data and service they provide has been fantastic thus far and I feel confident using their suggestions. 

Now let’s get to my three favorite options for NFL Week 8.

 

 

NFL Survivor Pool Picks for Week 8

Indianapolis Colts vs Tennessee Titans: Pick Indianapolis Colts

Our friends over at Pool Genius aren’t the only one who believe this is the pick to make this week as they give the Colts an 88-percent chance of winning this game. Vegas also believes it with the -1200 money line. The Colts are playing at a whole other level right now than their opponent. With Daniel Jones under center, the RPO work has made this offense a force. Jonathan Taylor has rushing lanes you could drive a boat through and the passing game has the respect with assets like Michael Pittman and Tyler Warren showing out every week. Oh yeah, and their defense isn’t too shabby either.

Given the struggles the Titans are having, it makes sense to target against the, Not only is the offensive line struggling which hurts Cam Ward and the running game in every way possible, but they are now also light on talent defensively. We’ll continue to check the injury report, but losing Jeffrey Simmns and L’Jarius Sneed last week were huge reasons for their demise. If they can’t build any momentum on either side of the ball, then why not pick against them whenever we can? 

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Washington Commanders: Pick Kansas City Chiefs

When Pool Genius listed the Chiefs with only a seven-percent popularity score, my eyes lit up. The return of Rashee Rice was huge for the passing game last week, even though the opponent, the Las Vegas Raiders, weren’t expected to put up too big a fight. The Commanders run defense is their best defensive asset and they are weak against the pass. That’s great for Patrick Mahomes and company and like Vegas with their -625 money line, I’m into using them this week if I need to.

We also have to see if Jayden Daniels is even going to play. Marcus Mariota under center could have me licking my chops as this Chiefs defensive line could feast. But even if the extra time to the Monday game puts Daniels under center, I’m not all that concerned with the offense here, especially when I’m hearing that neither Terry McLauin nor Deebo Samiel are practicing here early in the week. Should be wheels up for KC. 

Atlanta Falcons vs. Miami Dolphins: Pick Atlanta Falcons

While the Pool Genius recommendations rank the Eagles and their 73-percent chance of winning higher for the week, I’m going to avoid the divisional matchup and go with the Falcons who actually have a 74-percent chance. Even with the possibility of Kirk Cousins playing over a banged-up Michael Penix, I don’t think the switch makes that much of a difference, especially when I expect offensive coordinator Zac Robinson to lean heavily on Bijan Robinson and even Tyler Allgeier. The Dolphins defense is a hot mess and thy just don’t produce enough to compete.

The Dolphins are also going to be missing a key component to their passing attack in tight end Darren Waller. They already lost Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddles routinely looks like he’s two steps away from sitting on the sidelines with a leg injury. If the Falcons focus on containing De’Von Achane, this game should be well in-hand. 

These are the picks in my order of preference this week. Best of luck to you all in your survivor pool contests. 

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