NFL Week 3 Survivor Pool Picks, Tips, Strategy, and more ft. Baltimore Ravens
With the Baltimore Ravens and every other team gearing up for Week 3 action, the NFL pecking order is starting to take shape. Some teams are leading the pack at 2-0 while others are hanging tough at 1-1 and others are settling in at the bottom at 0-2.
At this point, it is easy to look at the record and get judgmental. However, one needs to take a deeper look to stay alive in survivor pools. The main strategies here are to chase a struggling team, or back a hot one. If the two coincide, all the better. Here's a look at some teams to buy in on and some to avoid.
NFL Week 3 Survivor Pool Picks
Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccaneers currently have one of two quarterbacks tied for leading the league in touchdown passes. Baker Mayfield has thrown for five touchdowns and one interception and doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon.
With the struggling Denver Broncos on deck this week, there might not be a clearer-cut option in the entire NFL.
Las Vegas Raiders
Minshew Mania returns! The Raiders upset the Baltimore Ravens in perhaps the biggest surprise of the Week 2 slate. However, this week gets much easier as the team faces the Carolina Panthers.
Bryce Young has been benched and the Raiders should not have much fear of Andy Dalton. This appears to be a slam dunk on paper.
NFL Week 3 Contrarian Pool Picks
Atlanta Falcons
The Atlanta Falcons will face their second-straight primetime showdown against one of the most talked about teams in the NFL in the last few years. The Falcons take on the Chiefs who despite their 2-0 record have barely squeaked by against the Ravens and Bengals.
Cousins upset the Eagles in a miraculous come-from-behind victory in Week 2 and if the Chiefs come in coasting, Cousins could humble Andy Reid's squad.
Baltimore Ravens
The Baltimore Ravens are in a do-or-die situation. After watching wins evaporate in Week 1 and Week 2, the team will come into Week 3 with a vengeance. The Baltimore Ravens face the Dallas Cowboys, who are still working off the stunning loss to the New Orleans Saints.
Per ESPN stat-tracking, the Baltimore Ravens oddly have the worst-ranked passing defense in terms of yards per game. However, the Baltimore Ravens also have the best-ranked rushing defense. With both sides on polar opposites after two weeks, expect some correction in this game for the passing defense to the shock of Dak Prescott.
NFL Week 3 Teams to Avoid
Denver Broncos
The Denver Broncos are in free fall on offense. Bo Nix has yet to throw for his first NFL touchdown after two games. Despite having the most experience out of the premium rookie class, he appears to be on an even, if not worse footing, than the other rookie quarterbacks.
An 0-3 start in his second consecutive season appears to be in the cards for Sean Payton as the offense continues to sputter.
Los Angeles Rams
The Los Angeles Rams don't have Cooper Kupp or Puka Nacua to count on after an offseason of hype. With the two key pieces injured and injuries dotting the offensive line, the Rams have a lot of goodwill to earn with their reshuffled pieces.
If Stafford can pull something together, it would be miraculous against the NFC champion 49ers. While the 49ers have stumbled out of the gate, Sean McVay has had trouble beating Kyle Shanahan with even the best weapons.