Top NFL Survivor & Pick’em Pool Picks for Week 2

This is a guest post from PoolGenius — the only site focused solely on helping players win NFL survivor and pick’em contests. Fantasy Alarm readers get exclusive discounts and free trial access.

Week 2 is where things get interesting. After one game, public perception tends to swing wildly, creating opportunities for sharper players to find value. Should you lean on the most popular favorites, stash top teams for later weeks, or fade the crowd and take a contrarian shot?

The truth is, the right move depends on your pool. Survivor success isn’t just about surviving this week; it’s about outlasting the competition over the long haul. And the best strategy can look completely different depending on your pool’s rules, size, and prize structure.

Free Week 2 Football Pool Picks

Before we get into this week’s breakdown, remember that you can try all of PoolGenius’ football pool tools free for Week 2. You’ll also find special season-long discounts available for Fantasy Alarm readers. 

 

 

 

NFL Survivor Picks for Week 2: Baltimore or Pass? 

The big storyline this week is Baltimore. The Ravens are 11.5-point home favorites against Cleveland, making them the clear-cut safest option on the board. With an 87% chance to win, it’s easy to see why 32% of survivor entries are already lining up behind them.

But safety comes at a cost. Baltimore also carries the second-highest future value in our models, with 70%+ win odds in eight more games this season, including premium spots like Week 12 vs. the Jets and Week 16 vs. the Patriots. That makes them perfectly reasonable in smaller pools, but in larger contests, using Baltimore now could leave you exposed when schedules thin out later.

 

 

 

Other NFL Survivor Picks Worth Considering

  • Dallas Cowboys – 6-point home favorites over the Giants, who looked stagnant offensively in Week 1. Dallas has limited future value, which makes this one of their stronger deployment spots.
  • Buffalo Bills – A 6.5-point road favorite at the Jets, but with multiple 80%+ win odds games on deck, it’s best to hold Buffalo for later.
  • Arizona Cardinals – After a Week 1 win at New Orleans, Arizona now hosts a struggling Carolina team. With little long-term value, the Cardinals are viable here or in Week 5 vs. Tennessee.
  • Los Angeles Rams – A 5.5-point road favorite at Tennessee. The Rams don’t project as much stronger in future matchups, making them a reasonable Week 2 play. 
  • Minnesota Vikings – Fresh off a Monday night comeback, Minnesota hosts Atlanta as 4.5-point favorites. With WR Drake London questionable and the Vikings offering low future value, they’re a sneaky option in larger pools.

 

 

 

NFL Pick’em & Confidence Pool Picks for Week 2: Jaguars Profile as Upset Value

When playing pick’em, confidence, or weekly pools, you need to pick your spots. This happens by targeting upsets that aren’t overly risky but still give you leverage. One matchup that fits that description in Week 2 is the Jacksonville Jaguars at the Cincinnati Bengals.

The Jaguars are 3-point underdogs, but only 21% of the public is backing them. That’s despite Jacksonville looking sharp in Week 1 against Carolina under new head coach Liam Coen. Cincinnati, on the other hand, stumbled badly. The Bengals finished with just 141 total yards (second-worst in the league) and barely escaped with a win over Cleveland.

With the Bengals’ defense still shaky and the offense not in rhythm, Jacksonville is in a classic leverage spot for pick’em pools. The Jags are especially appealing in weekly game-winner pools if you’re looking to differentiate without taking on excessive risk.

 

 

 

More Week 2 NFL Pick’em Leverage Spots

At PoolGenius, we’ve identified five games like this where public pick rates are way off compared to actual win odds — including one case where a favorite provides surprising value. You can see all of them in the PoolGenius NFL Pick’em Picks product.

Get Expert Football Pool Picks in 2025

Winning NFL survivor and pick’em pools comes down to putting probability on your side. The hard part? The endless data and math required to do it right — something most players don’t have the time or tools to handle.

That’s where PoolGenius comes in. We crunch the numbers, track public pick trends, and handle the heavy analysis so you can approach your 2025 football pools with a winning strategy.

Through our partnership with Fantasy Alarm, you can get started with a free trial and unlock exclusive season-long discounts: