NFL Week 18 Survivor guide: Picks, analysis, strategy

Reaching Week 18 in a survivor pool is no small feat, and now is the opportune moment to secure your earnings and make strategic hedges. Having navigated through countless ups and downs, you’re now on the brink of a rewarding payoff, irrespective of this week’s outcome.

Survivor pools demand resilience and strategic foresight. If you’ve made it this far, you’re probably eyeing a significant cash prize. However, with 17 selections behind you, your options may be limited. You might find yourself considering a long shot or a team with little at stake.

This week, your task is to make a decisive pick for Week 18 and simultaneously place a bet on the opposing side to ensure some guaranteed profit. This approach will help you capitalize on your efforts, regardless of which way the wind blows.

It’s also worth noting that most leagues will divide the prize money among the remaining participants. So, if you plan your strategy wisely, you’ll walk away with a substantial reward.

All you have to do is make your Week 18 selection and follow it up with a bet on the other direction to lock in some profits.

Remember, most leagues will chop the pot between you and those who remain.

Congratulations on a phenomenal season and accomplishment, and thanks for following along for the last 18 weeks.

NFL Week 18 survivor picks

Confidence ranking Team
1 Jaguars (-12.5) vs. Titans
2 Broncos (-12.5) vs. Chargers
3 Texans (-10) vs. Colts
4 Patriots (-11.5) vs. Dolphins
5 Vikings (-6.5) vs. Packers
6 Bengals (-7.5) vs. Browns
7 Bills (-7) vs. Jets
8 Eagles (-7) vs. Commanders
9 Chiefs (-5.5) @ Raiders
10 Ravens (-3.5) @ Steelers
Odds provided by BetMGM

Week 18 Survivor picks

Broncos (-12.5) vs. Chargers

Ideally, when you’re targeting teams in Week 18 Survivor, you’re hoping to land the plane on a team with something to play for.

That’s exactly what lies in front of the Broncs.

Denver is a win away from the No. 1 seed in the AFC, which would lock in home-field advantage as well as a first-round bye.

If that’s not enough to convince you, the Chargers are reportedly sitting Justin Herbert for Sunday’s matchup to keep him fresh for what they hope will be a playoff run.

With Los Angeles having nothing to play for and the Broncos having everything on the line, this is a perfect spot to target the Broncos.


Betting on the NFL?


Rams (-7.5) vs. Cardinals

This team is not listed on my confidence rankings, and that’s for good reason.

If the San Francisco 49ers win on Saturday against the Seahawks, the Rams will be locked into their playoff position and therefore have nothing to play for Sunday.


Los Angeles Rams head coach Sean McVay reacts on the sidelines.
The Rams may have nothing to play for Sunday. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

So while coach Sean McVay might say that all of his guys will play this week, we’re not buying into that.

The 49ers are a coin flip against the Seahawks, making the Rams about 50 percent likely to play their guys Sunday. That’s not enough of a likelihood for me.

We’re avoiding the Rams if possible, but only if no other favorites are appetizing to you.

The only benefit is that the Cardinals are +275 underdogs, so the hedge opportunity is easy enough.

Why Trust New York Post Betting

Erich Richter is a brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt but he has a black belt in MMA betting. During the football season he’s showcased massive profits at The Post in the player prop market the last two seasons. While constantly betting long shots, his return on investment is 30.15 percent since 2022.

You May Also Like
Race Against Hate draws thousands to Evanston to honor Ricky Byrdsong's legacy, Northwestern basketball coach killed in 1999

Thousands Join Evanston Race Against Hate to Honor Legacy of Slain Northwestern Coach Ricky Byrdsong

The annual event pays tribute to Ricky Byrdsong, Northwestern University’s first Black…

Trump-Backed Michael Alfonso Says GOP Is Poised to Keep the House as Democrats Push Full-Blown Marxism

Michael Alfonso, a candidate for Wisconsin’s Seventh Congressional District, said Saturday on…

Wonder Lake Neighbors Rally Around Family After Home Explosion Kills Sandra Patnaude, Injures Husband and Son

WONDER LAKE, Ill. (WLS) — More than a month after a house…

Top Latino Leaders Endorse Adriano Espaillat Over Chevalier in Contentious NYC House Race

A notable bloc of Latino elected officials in New York City released…
FAA investigates incident that forced a Delta flight 2351 to abort landing amid close call with American Airlines plane

FAA Probes Delta Flight 2351 Aborted Landing After Near Miss With American Airlines Jet

The Federal Aviation Administration is looking into a close call at Boston…
Rep. Jason Crow says he's worried "Americans are at risk" with Bill Pulte as acting DNI

Rep. Jason Crow Warns Americans Could Be at Risk Under Acting DNI Bill Pulte

Washington — Democratic Rep. Jason Crow of Colorado said Sunday that he…
Daughter of Cuban revolution 'hero' busted by ICE in Florida

Daughter of Cuban Revolutionary Figure Arrested by ICE in Florida

The daughter of a prominent figure from Cuba’s communist revolution has been…
Paul Kueker ID'd as beloved dad of 2 who tragically plunged to death at Madison Square Garden concert

Paul Kueker Remembered as Beloved Father of Two After Fatal Fall at Madison Square Garden Concert

A 51-year-old rock music fan who died after falling during a Goose…
FAA investigates after incoming plane executes go-around due to aircraft leaving from intersecting runway

FAA Probes Runway Close Call After Landing Jet Forced to Go Around During Intersecting Runway Departure

The Federal Aviation Administration said it is reviewing an incident in which…
American youth radicalized online, busted in suspected terror plots after hating country on social media

American youths radicalized online arrested in suspected terror plots following anti-U.S. social media posts

Federal authorities say an alleged plot aimed at a planned UFC event…
America 250 Just Put the Spotlight on the Generation Coming Next With Launch of Patriot Games

America 250 Spotlights the Next Generation With Launch of Patriot Games

As the United States approaches its 250th birthday in just a few…
South Dakota killer charged in death of girl, 14, after Kristi Noem freed him

South Dakota Man Freed by Kristi Noem Charged in Death of 14-Year-Old Girl

A man previously convicted of killing someone and later released on parole…