Sophia
As the NFL season kicks off, Week 1 always presents a unique set of challenges for survivor pool players. The board might seem wide open, but it’s also brimming with potential pitfalls that can end your season before it even truly begins. Last year, the heavily favored Cincinnati Bengals served as a stark reminder of this reality. Many confident players locked in the Bengals against the New England Patriots, only to be stunned by New England’s unexpected 16-10 victory, sending them packing before Week 2.
While it’s impossible to dodge every weekly upset in the NFL, a well-thought-out, season-long strategy is your best bet for navigating the treacherous waters of NFL survivor pools. Should you lean on a strong favorite like the Eagles (-8.5) against the Cowboys, or the Cardinals (-6.5) facing the Saints? Or are there more strategic plays to consider?
Before you finalize any Week 1 NFL survivor picks, it’s crucial to consult a proven expert. That’s where R.J. White comes in. White has established himself as SportsLine’s No. 1 NFL against-the-spread expert over the past eight years, boasting an impressive 718-623-37 record against the spread. This stellar performance has netted him over 32 units on his SportsLine picks since 2017. Furthermore, he’s achieved a 55% hit rate on his Vegas contest picks over the last decade, including two finishes in the money, highlighted by an 18th-place finish out of 2,748 entries in 2017. White’s profound understanding of the NFL makes him the ideal authority for providing invaluable NFL survivor pool strategy tips.
White’s Week 1 NFL Survivor Pool Predictions
White has meticulously analyzed the 2025 NFL Week 1 options, identifying several strategic approaches for bettors. In developing his season-long strategy, he advises against picking the Denver Broncos in their opener against the Tennessee Titans, despite Denver being an 8.5-point favorite with a -442 money line. While the Titans certainly have roster weaknesses, the presence of No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward, who impressed during the preseason, makes them a potential Week 1 sleeper.
Furthermore, selecting Denver so early in the season could prove to be a costly mistake for survivor pool players, especially when considering the Broncos’ future schedule. Denver might be better utilized in Weeks 6 and 7 when they face the Jets and Giants in consecutive weeks. They also host the Las Vegas Raiders on November 6th.
Crafting Your Winning Week 1 Strategy
To go deep in your survivor pool, White emphasizes the need to “be comfortable with taking early risks on somewhat average teams.” He has identified a surprising team that presents a prime opportunity for Week 1. The time to pick this team is now, and you can only uncover White’s strategic play by visiting SportsLine.
Which team is the must-back in your Week 1 NFL survivor pool? Visit SportsLine now to discover the team that will carry you to victory in Week 1, all from SportsLine’s top NFL expert. For those looking to place bets on every NFL game, new users can also explore the latest bet365 bonus code to receive $200 in bonus bets after placing a $5 wager. Additionally, new DraftKings users can target the DraftKings promo code, offering $300 in bonus bets instantly plus over $200 off NFL Sunday Ticket.
