Getting knocked out in the first week of NFL survivor pool picks by taking a risk is the worst-case scenario, but using the biggest favorite on the NFL odds board is not always a winning NFL survivor strategy. Baltimore is the only double-digit favorite in the Week 1 NFL spreads, making the Ravens one of the most popular Week 1 NFL survivor picks. However, fading the Ravens could prove to be beneficial if they get upset on Sunday. Washington is the second-heaviest favorite in the Week 1 NFL lines, as the Commanders are 7-point favorites against the Cardinals and could be a popular target for NFL eliminator picks. Which teams should you save for later in the season? Before finalizing any Week 1 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 over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks since its inception. The model enters the 2023 NFL season on an incredible 163-113 run on top-rated NFL picks that dates back to the 2017 season. It is also on a 17-6 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 percent 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 1 NFL odds and locked in its Week 1 survivor pool pick. You can only see who the model is backing this week at SportsLine.
Top Week 1 NFL survivor pool predictions
For Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season, the model is shying away from the San Francisco 49ers, even though they're coming off a 13-4 season and are favored over a Steelers team that went 9-8 and missed the playoffs. While San Francisco has won six of the last nine meetings between these teams, Pittsburgh has covered the spread in four of the last six matchups. The Steelers were one of the league's most profitable teams at the end of last season, winning and covering in six of their final seven games.
San Francisco quarterback Brock Purdy is heading into his first season as the full-time starter, which is one of many questions that the 49ers will have to answer. Tight end George Kittle is questionable to play due to an undisclosed injury that he suffered in training camp, and wide receiver Ray-Ray McLoud is sidelined with a wrist issue. SportsLine's model recommends looking in a different direction this week. See which team to pick here.
How to make Week 1 NFL survivor pool picks
Instead, the model is backing a team that closed out last season with back-to-back wins and has had plenty of success against its Week 1 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 1 survivor pool? Visit SportsLine now to see which team carries you to victory in Week 1, all from the advanced computer model that consistently crushes the NFL, and find out.
