The NFL season is back, and with it comes one of the most exciting formats in football: NFL Survivor pools. It’s a simple concept on the surface: Pick a team to win each week, and you survive. But once you use a team, you can’t pick them again. That means every decision carries weight, and the deeper you go the harder it gets. As the 2025 season kicks off, let’s break down the best NFL Survivor pool picks for Week 1, along with key strategy tips to help you navigate your pool all season long.
NFL Survivor Pool Picks for Week 1 (2025)
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Tip 1: Know Your Survivor Pool
This gets overlooked far too often. Every week, people ask, “Who should I pick for my Survivor pool?” But the right answer depends entirely on your pool structure.
Is it winner-take-all? How many people are in it? Are there second-chance entries?
- If you’re playing with a small group (e.g., 5 to 10 friends), you can afford to be conservative. If everyone else busts, you win, even if it’s early in the season.
- If you’re playing in a large public Survivor pool with thousands of entries, you’ll need to take more calculated risks to outlast the field.
Understanding the size and payout structure of your NFL Survivor pool is the first step to building a long-term strategy.
Tip 2: Plan Ahead
Once you understand the format, the next step is to think beyond Week 1.
Sure, some teams are clear favorites in Week 1. But if you’re in a large pool, burning a top-tier team early can hurt you down the line when options are limited. That’s where opportunity cost comes into play.
- Are you OK using a team like Philadelphia now, knowing they might be more valuable in Week 9?
- Does a mediocre team like Jacksonville offer better long-term flexibility if they win now?
Check schedules, bye weeks and future matchups.
Best NFL Survivor Pool Picks for Week 1
Jacksonville Jaguars
- Matchup: vs. Carolina Panthers
- Risk Level: High
- Strategic Value: High
Want to get sneaky? Jacksonville is not a team you’ll want to trust later in the season, so burning it early could be smart if you survive. The Jaguars are only slight favorites and could easily lose, but they also offer long-term leverage.
They also play the Titans in Week 18, making that game unusable in many formats. If Coach Liam Coen can unlock Trevor Lawrence and the offense, this could pay off.
Best For: Large public pools where leverage and uniqueness matter.
Denver Broncos
- Matchup: vs. Tennessee Titans
- Moneyline: Around -400
- Popularity: Likely the chalk pick
This might be the most popular NFL Survivor pick for Week 1, and it’s easy to see why. The Broncos are at home, heavy favorites and facing a Titans team that many bettors will fade all year.
Bo Nix has looked solid, the Denver defense is always stout at home, and the Broncos don’t project as a must-hold team long term. It’s a chalky pick but a strong one if your goal is just to advance.
Best For: All pool types — safe pick with minimal downside.
Final Thoughts on NFL Survivor Week 1
Week 1 gives you the full board to work with, but that doesn’t mean you should only think short-term. Consider your Survivor pool format, risk tolerance and the schedule ahead.
Philadelphia Eagles
Matchup: vs. Dallas Cowboys (TNF)Moneyline: Largest favorite on the Week 1 board
If you’re playing it safe, the Eagles are the clear top choice. They’re coming off a Super Bowl win, they’re at home and the Cowboys just traded away Micah Parsons. On paper, this is a fantastic spot.
But beware: Philadelphia is a powerhouse and likely to be useful later in the season. If you use it now, it’s gone for good. The safer the pick, the higher the opportunity cost.
Best For: Smaller pools or anyone prioritizing pure safety in Week 1.
