Considering safe, value, trap picks for Week 14 Survivor pools

Welcome to Week 14! The NFL is into December and the playoff race is reaching a fever pitch. We have four weeks remaining, and this weekend will likely see several teams clinch a playoff berth, and a handful of teams formally eliminated from contention.

As we head into Week 14, we’re back to offer you advice for your NFL Survivor pools. Most have likely been settled at this point, but it’s possible a handful of folks are still alive. Apologies if the Eagles, Panthers, or Chargers cost you big money.

If you’ve never taken part in a Survivor pool, it involves picking one team each week that you think will win. If your team wins in Week 1, you can make a pick in Week 2. If your team wins in Week 2, you can make a pick in Week 3, and so on. The catch is that you cannot pick the same team twice. You could use a heavy favorite in Week 1, but you would not have access to them later in the year if you’re alive in the closing weeks.

Whether you are in a single-elimination or double-elimination contest, there is plenty of strategy in determining which team you will take each week. DKNation is here to help with a look at safe choices, value choices, and potential traps.

On to Week 14 picks!

Thursday Night Football pick

Cowboys over Bears

Chicago has won two straight, but wins over the Giants and Lions are not exactly something to write home about. Their defense is dealing with a banged up Prince Amukamara and Mitchell Trubisky is considerably inconsistent. This should be a close one, but I think we see the Cowboys pull away. I’m not suggesting this as a Survivor pick, but they’ll get the win.

Safest picks

Packers over Washington

The one concern here is the Packers run defense against an impressive duo of Derrius Guice and Adrian Peterson. That being said, even if Washington gives Green Bay a scare, I see little chance for them to spring the outright road upset in Lambeau in December.

Best value picks

Vikings over Lions

Divisional games can be tricky, but these are two teams going in decidedly opposite directions. The Vikings lost a tough one in Seattle, but are on track to get a wild card berth. I see a home bounce-back effort for Minnesota.

Trap pick

Browns over Bengals
Texans over Broncos

The Browns and Texans are two teams that are looking at potential letdowns, for entirely different reasons. The Browns lost to Pittsburgh last week and might very well have sunk their playoff hopes. They could bounce back, but with Baker Mayfield also dealing with a bruised hand, this seems like a game to avoid.

The Texans are coming off one of the biggest wins in recent franchise history. Considering Bill O’Brien’s history against his former boss in New England, it’s a big one. But a letdown against a solid Denver defense is something to keep in mind. There’s just enough question for this matchup that I’d stay away.