The Bengals continue to be one of the most puzzling teams in the NFL. They are coming off back-to-back double-digit victory seasons, reaching Super Bowl LVI in a 10-win season two years ago before going 12-4 last year. Before the year, the Bengals would have been one of those teams you'd be thinking about saving when making NFL survivor pool picks. However, the Bengals are 1-3 to start the season with quarterback Joe Burrow fighting off a calf injury.
An initial look at the 2023 NFL schedule would have viewed a Week 5 matchup against the Cardinals as a perfect opportunity to play Cincinnati in NFL knockout pool picks. Can you still trust them in Week 5 NFL eliminator pool picks? The Bengals are only three-point favorites at Arizona in the latest Week 5 NFL odds. Before finalizing any Week 5 NFL survivor picks, see which team the red-hot SportsLine Projection Model just went all-in on.
The model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, is up well over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters Week 5 of the 2023 NFL season on an incredible 168-118 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season. It is also on a 22-10 roll on top-rated NFL picks since Week 7 of last season.
The model also ranked in the top 10 on NFLPickWatch four of the past six years on straight-up NFL picks and beat more than 94% of CBS Sports Football Pick'em players four times during that span. Anyone who has followed it is way up.
Now, it has turned its attention to the latest Week 5 NFL odds and locked in its Week 5 survivor pool pick. You can only see who the model is backing this week at SportsLine.
Top Week 5 NFL survivor pool predictions
For Week 5 of the 2023 NFL season, the model is shying away from the Ravens, even though they are 4.5-point favorites over the Steelers. Lamar Jackson has struggled against the Steelers unlike he has against the rest of the league. The 2019 NFL MVP has a 64.4% completion percentage over his career, but is completing just 59.1% of passes in three starts against the Steelers. He's been sacked 16 times and has twice as many turnovers (eight) as touchdowns (four) and has no rushing scores against Pittsburgh.
The Steelers have forced the second-most fumbles (eight) and have four interceptions this season, meaning Jackson could face turnover issues yet again. Taking the road team in divisional matchups is a risky move in NFL knockout pools. These games are often more competitive, especially when the Ravens and Steelers meet. The Ravens are 1-2 in Jackson's three starts against Pittsburgh and Steelers have won five of their last six matchups against Baltimore, with each game decided by five points or fewer. The model doesn't suggest taking Baltimore in Week 5 survivor pool picks. See which team to pick here.
How to make Week 5 NFL survivor pool picks
Instead, the model is backing a team with a streaking quarterback that now faces a reeling opponent. The time to pick this team is now, and you can only see the play over at SportsLine.
Which surprising team is a must-back in your Week 5 survivor pool? Visit SportsLine now to see which team carries you to victory in Week 5, all from the advanced computer model that consistently crushes the NFL and is up well over $7,000 since its inception.
