NFL Week 5 Survivor picks, analysis: Armageddon of games to sort through

Everyone survived to Week 5. 

Very few big upsets last week in the league, as the vast majority of players advanced, with the Vikings and Ravens leading the pack with over 80 percent of entrants in the big Circa Survivor pool.

This week could easily be a bloodbath, though. 

There are no favorites of more than one score to choose from this week – you’re walking on eggshells and land mines in this week’s Survivor tournament.

Below we break down my favorite plays for Week 5 of the NFL season.

NFL Week 5 Survivor picks, analysis

Cowboys over Buccaneers

Dallas’ defense is steadily improving this year, and Jalon Daniels, who I actually like, will have a tough time here on short notice. 

My model has the Cowboys slightly overvalued on the spread, making them seven-point favorites against eight points on BetMGM.

The Cowboys will easily be the most used team in Survivor this week because they face a team on a short week with an undrafted rookie quarterback. 

If Dallas were on the road, I’d be more interested in bailing on them, but on the road, I think they are rightfully the top team in pools this week.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jalon Daniels (10) rolls out with the ball during a game against the Green Bay Packers at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Florida, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Bengals over Dolphins

Miami has been a disaster this season, but Cincinnati isn’t the top option this week because of injuries.

It looks like Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase are battling injuries, which would give most of us a legitimate pause in taking them on the road. 

Still, this is the best use of the Bengals you will see all season, so don’t be too afraid to pull the trigger.

Miami is the No. 32 team in DVOA, posting No. 30 in offense and No. 28 in defense, respectively. 

The Bengals are rated No. 7 in DVOA, but injury concerns here may need your attention.


Betting on the NFL?


Team to avoid: Lions vs. Cardinals

There’s no way you should be on Detroit this week.

Jahmyr Gibbs looks exhausted and they’re ready to hit the bye week.

The Carolina Panthers just destroyed Detroit’s defense and the Lions might really struggle against Arizona.

Under no circumstances should you be on the Lions, I think the Cardinals win outright.

NFL Week 5 Survivor model picks

RankingTeam Survivor ScoreNext best use
1Cowboys vs TB  -9.576.2Week 11 vs TEN 70.1%(No. 4 that week)
2Bengals at MIA  -7.571.7Week 18 vs CLE 75.5%(No. 3 that week)
3Texans at TEN  -6.568.8Week 18 vs TEN 74.9%(No. 5 that week)
4Lions at ARI  -5.566.3Week 9 at MIA 76.1%(No. 1 that week)
5Jaguars vs PHI  -4.563.1Week 12 vs TEN 69.6%(No. 1 that week)
6Ravens at ATL  -3.560.6Week 16 vs CLE 81.8%(No. 1 that week)
7Broncos at LAC  -3.560.5Week 13 vs MIA 79.6%(No. 1 that week)
8Patriots vs LV  -3.560.4Week 18 vs MIA 78.1%(No. 1 that week)
9Commanders vs NYG  -3.560.2Week 15 vs ATL 56.9%(No. 12 that week)
10Bears at GB  -2.557.5Week 14 at MIA 71.6%(No. 3 that week)
11Steelers vs IND  -2.557.4Week 8 vs CLE 65.1%(No. 4 that week)
12Rams vs BUF  -2.557.3Week 6 vs ARI 78.3%(No. 1 that week)
13Seahawks vs SF  -2.557.3Week 9 vs ARI 75.6%(No. 2 that week)
14Vikings at NO  -1.554.6Week 12 vs ATL 65.4%(No. 3 that week)
15Jets vs CLE  -1.554.3Week 7 vs MIA 67.4%(No. 3 that week)
16Browns at NYJ  +1.545.7Week 12 vs LV 48.0%(No. 20 that week)
17Saints vs MIN  +1.545.4Week 9 vs CLE 64.6%(No. 8 that week)
1849ers at SEA  +2.542.7Week 9 vs LV 73.7%(No. 3 that week)
19Bills at LAR  +2.542.7Week 11 vs MIA 87.1%(No. 1 that week)
20Colts at PIT  +2.542.6Week 10 vs MIA 75.0%(No. 1 that week)
21Packers vs CHI  +2.542.5Week 15 vs MIA 79.9%(No. 1 that week)
22Giants at WAS  +3.539.8Week 15 vs CLE 64.1%(No. 5 that week)
23Raiders at NE  +3.539.6Week 16 vs TEN 55.7%(No. 8 that week)
24Chargers vs DEN  +3.539.5Week 16 at MIA 72.7%(No. 2 that week)
25Falcons vs BAL  +3.539.4Week 14 at CLE 53.4%(No. 13 that week)
26Eagles at JAX  +4.536.9Week 9 vs NYG 69.4%(No. 5 that week)
27Cardinals vs DET  +5.533.7Week 17 vs LV 54.2%(No. 10 that week)
28Titans vs HOU  +6.531.2Week 7 vs CLE 57.4%(No. 8 that week)
29Dolphins vs CIN  +7.528.3Week 12 vs NYJ 39.6%(No. 28 that week)
30Buccaneers at DAL  +9.523.8Week 8 vs ATL 61.7%(No. 9 that week)

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.

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