The NFL season is finally upon us, and with that comes plenty of opportunities for bettors and fans alike to get closer to the game. One of the most popular ways to tout your football knowledge is a survivor pool. Each week, you select a team to win their game, with the goal of surviving in the pool as long as possible. The catch is you can only choose a team once, so it's imperative you think ahead when selecting. Let's take a look at a few solid NFL survivor pool picks for Week 1.
Get instant alerts when a line reaches your target via the BettingPros App >>
NFL Week 1 Survivor Pool Picks
Denver Broncos
It's typically good advice to try and take a cookie in Week 1. Unfortunately, the schedule makers put together some really good Week 1 matchups this year and very few easy picks. This year, you'll have to start getting creative early. The first game that really pops out is Denver hosting Tennessee.
Right off the bat, you have a rookie quarterback making his debut on the road. Throw in the fact that last year the Titans' offensive line ranked as one of the worst in the league, and they're going up against one of the best pass rushes in the league in Denver. Tennessee improved its offensive line in free agency, but this Denver defense led the league with 63 sacks in 2024 and returned all those key pieces of the pass rush.
On the other side of the ball, the Broncos have an elite offensive line going up against a Tennessee defense that gave up 133.9 yards per game on the ground last year. Denver will have a massive advantage in the trenches on both sides, as well as with experience in the coaching staff. With four road games coming up and a home matchup versus a talented Cincinnati team in the first six weeks, this is a prime spot to use a team you won't need to use again.
Washington Commanders
It's typically good practice to avoid divisional games, especially early in the season like this, but the New York Giants provide a really good matchup for the Commanders. Last year, the Commanders defeated the Giants in both contests, including a home victory where the box score indicated it was more lopsided than the final score did.
This year, the Giants will be starting the veteran Russell Wilson at quarterback. We're five years removed now from his last 4,000-yard passing season, and last year in Pittsburgh was the worst of his storied career. He's taken over three sacks a game in the last three seasons in Denver and Pittsburgh. Behind a Giants offensive line ranked near the worst headed into the season, I don't foresee that number improving. The Commanders will do their part to make things difficult on Wilson. They added Javon Kinlaw and Von Miller to the defense, and they will help make Wilson uncomfortable all day.
Washington comes into the season as one of the healthiest teams in the league. After an NFC Championship Game appearance last year, Jayden Daniels and the prolific offense should get off to a hot start against a defense that they averaged nearly 400 yards per game against last year. The Commanders should take care of business here, but with another matchup with the Raiders in Week 3, they're a team you may want to hold onto.
