Week 2 NFL Survivor pool strategy with safe, value, trap picks

The 2025-26 NFL season is officially underway and Week 2 is upon us. The first week had its share of wildness, although not all that many big upsets. The most notable was probably the Raiders over the Patriots, and even that was only a few points spread.

That being said, there were enough upsets to create some early chaos in Survivor pools. The Patriots loss was the most significant, but Survivor pools likely were impacted by the Chiefs losing to the Chargers and even the Dolphins losing to the Colts. Maybe not wild surprises, but people definitely used them in Survivor pools.

But with that, we’re now back for Week 2 in your weekly Survivor leagues. If you have never played Survivor, it’s a contest in which you pick one team to win each week. If your team wins in Week 1, you advance and can make a pick in Week 2. If your team loses you are eliminated. The most important rule is that in most leagues you cannot pick the same team twice during the season.

I’m back for another season of Survivor advice. I’ll be offering up safe picks, value picks, and potential trap picks. I’m playing in numerous Survivor pools so I can mix up my options. On to the picks!

Ravens over Browns

Nobody should be using the Ravens this week, but some people will choose to go with the safe pick. The Browns gave the Bengals a tough time, but I don’t see that happening two weeks in a row. I won’t be using Baltimore, but look for them to thump Cleveland.

Cardinals over Panthers
Cowboys over Giants

The Cardinals face their second straight NFC South opponent after holding the Saints in Week 1. Carolina could be dangerous at times this season, but I don’t think they’ll be doing it on the road in Glendale. And while I normally say avoid divisional games early, the Giants are going to be the clear last place team in the NFC East. Moreover, looking ahead at the Cowboys schedule, it’s hard to see Dallas being sizable favorites the rest of the way. Injuries can change things for their opponents, but as things currently stand, it’s possible you wouldn’t want to use Dallas the rest of the season.

Bills over Jets

On the other hand, this is a divisional game I want no part of. The Jets looked better than expected and this sets up as a letdown possibility for the Bills after their comeback in Week 1. And there will be plenty of good opportunities to use Buffalo later this season.