Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsSaturday, June 20, 2026

Week 12 NFL Survivor pool strategy with safe, value, trap picks

It’s time to figure out your Survivor picks for the 2024 season. We’ll break down safe, value, and trap picks heading into Week 12.

Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders looks to pass in the second quarter of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Northwest Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Landover, Maryland.
Jayden Daniels #5 of the Washington Commanders looks to pass in the second quarter of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers at Northwest Stadium on November 10, 2024 in Landover, Maryland.
Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images

It’s almost Thanksgiving week and plenty of teams are looking to have something to be thankful for when they wrap up Week 12. The NFL Playoffs are still nearly two months away, but the race for playoff positioning is heating up.

We saw some key results in Week 11 with the Bills holding off the Chiefs, the Seahawks upsetting the 49ers, the Eagles beating the Commanders, the Steelers handling the Ravens, and the Broncos impressing in a romp over the Broncos. We’re still at least a couple weeks away from anybody clinching a playoff berth, but the Bills and Texans are fast approaching that point.

It was a relatively light week for upset, but the results sent a few more folks home in Survivor pools. I came close on my weekly trap pick with the Packers escaping Chicago with a win after blocking a late Bears field goal attempt.

It’s now on to Week 12. It’s the busiest bye week of the year, with six teams sidelined for the weekend. That group includes the Falcons, Bills, Bengals, Saints, Jets, and Jaguars. That leaves us with 26 teams to choose from for Week 12 Survivor. I’ve got my full picks below. There are plenty of options to consider and every week this season we’ll be breaking down the safest picks, the best value picks, and the potential trap picks.

Safest picks

Chiefs over Panthers
Commanders over Cowboys

The reasons to avoid these picks? The Chiefs are on the road and the Commanders are facing a divisional game. The reason these are safe picks in spite of that? The Panthers are a bad football team and right now the Cowboys might be even worse.

Best value picks

Dolphins over Patriots

Another divisional matchup, but the Dolphins are showing signs of life and the Patriots are not quite where they need to be. New England is dangerous, but a home game for Miami offers some value.

Trap picks

Steelers over Browns
Broncos over Raiders

I’ve leaned on divisional games above, but road divisional games are where I draw the line if at all possible. Pittsburgh and Denver both should win, but it’s a little too risky.

See More:

More in NFL

NFL
WNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in FriscoWNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in Frisco
NFL

The Women’s National Football Conference Championship will air on ESPN2 this weekend.

By RJ Ochoa
From SBNationExternal Link
Which fictional quarterback would you have lead your team?Which fictional quarterback would you have lead your team?
From SBNationExternal Link
By James Dator
NFL
Best bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the YearBest bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
NFL

There are some good longer-shot options on offensive side of ball for the NFL’s Rookie of the Year.

By Bill Williamson
NFL
Brendan Sorsby is a rare chance to get a top QB cheap, and these teams should go inBrendan Sorsby is a rare chance to get a top QB cheap, and these teams should go in
NFL

This is a no-brainer for some NFL teams.

By James Dator
NFL
Fernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before himFernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before him
NFL

Fernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before him

By RJ Ochoa
NFL
Brendan Sorsby intends to enter NFL Supplemental Draft, per reportsBrendan Sorsby intends to enter NFL Supplemental Draft, per reports
NFL

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is entering the NFL Supplemental Draft, per reports

By Mark Schofield

Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready...