Welcome back to my NFL survivor pool picks for the 2026 season. Last year, I went 13 straight weeks before my first bad pick, and 16-1 overall (missed Week 18 for some reason). Like every other person foolish enough to believe they can predict these unpredictable games, I plan on going the distance in 2026.
This year, I'm trying something different. Rather than suggesting a single team with a few backup picks, I'll be making two suggestions. The pick most likely to win, and the pick that's most strategic. I'll also offer my personal pick, which may line up with those suggestions some weeks but could differ as I run out of teams to use.
With that out the way, these are my survivor pool picks for Week 1:
The best Week 1 survivor pick most likely to win
- Jacksonville Jaguars (vs. Cleveland Browns)
Though the Jags are laying 8.5 points this
week, they actually aren't the biggest spread favorites. That title belongs to the Chargers, who are laying 9.5 versus the Cardinals. But I like Jacksonville just a little more for two reasons. One, the Chargers had coordinator changes on both sides of the ball that could effect how they start the season. We'll have other chances to use them down the road once we see how those units come together. But also, Jacksonville's only other potential "easy" games outside the division are at the Giants in Week 11 and versus the Commanders in Week 17. There may not be a better opportunity to use them with confidence than now.
The best strategic Week 1 survivor pick
- Las Vegas Raiders (vs. Miami Dolphins)
If you plan on using the Raiders this year, Week 1 is the time to do it. For one, it makes sense to ride with Vegas before Kirk Cousins hands the reigns of the offense to rookie Fernando Mendoza. But this is also the only lightweight matchup they get at home until hosting Tennessee in Week 16.
My Week 1 survivor pick
- Jaguars
I don't have the stomach to start my season with a Raiders pick, so I'm hitching my wagon to Jacksonville. As good as I believe Cleveland's defense to be, even without Myles Garrett, it's not as good as Jacksonville's defense -- which also has the luxury of getting to play against Deshaun Watson and that Browns offense.
This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2026 NFL survivor pool Week 1 picks: Should you go Jaguars or Chargers?
Gannett may earn revenue from sports betting operators for audience referrals to betting services. Sports betting operators have no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. Terms apply, see operator site for Terms and Conditions. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help is available. Call the National Council on Problem Gambling 24/7 at 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ, OH), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN). Must be 21 or older to gamble. Sports betting and gambling are not legal in all locations. Be sure to comply with laws applicable where you reside. It is your sole responsibility to act in accordance with your local laws.
Gambling involves risk. Please only gamble with funds that you can comfortably afford to lose. While we do our utmost to offer good advice and information we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of gambling. We do our best to make sure all the information that we provide on this site is correct. However, from time to time mistakes will be made and we will not be held liable. Please check any stats or information if you are unsure how accurate they are. No guarantees are made with regards to results or financial gain. All forms of betting carry financial risk and it is up to the individual to make bets with or without the assistance of information provided on this site and we cannot be held responsible for any loss that may be incurred as a result of following the betting tips provided on this site. Past performances do not guarantee success in the future and betting odds fluctuate from one minute to the next. The material contained on this site is intended to inform, entertain and educate the reader and in no way represents an inducement to gamble legally or illegally or any sort of professional advice.
Prediction Markets: Certain prediction markets are event contracts regulated by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) or other applicable regulatory authorities and are legally distinct from traditional gambling and sports betting. Eligibility requirements to participate in prediction markets differ from those for sports betting and gambling — you may be required to be 18 or older (or such other age as the applicable platform requires) and to satisfy other eligibility criteria established by the relevant platform and governing law. Prediction market trading involves financial risk and may not be available in all jurisdictions. The legal and regulatory status of prediction markets varies by jurisdiction and by platform. It is your sole responsibility to confirm that participation is lawful where you reside and to comply with all applicable laws and platform terms.
