Survivor pools are fun, and they seem easy, but it’s actually very hard to last longer than a few weeks. For those who have never done a survivor pool, the rules are simple. Each week you pick one team to win outright—usually, survivor pools do not use spreads. Once you’ve picked that team, they’re unavailable to you for the rest of the season.

These are three picks that will keep you alive.

Best Bargains To Win Big On FanDuel In Week 9

*Home teams are in CAPS.

The Sure Thing: BENGALS over Browns

Chances are you’ve already used Cincinnati. But if you haven’t, now’s the time. The Browns are a frisky bunch but the Bengals have now taken out the Raiders, Ravens, Seahawks and Steelers on the road, which means they’re damn good.

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Cleveland scrapes together points somehow, and their defense has ball hawks, but on the road vs. Cincinnati, with QB Josh McCown banged up and questionable to play, is just a bad look. They have a small chance if McCown plays, but if Johnny Manziel is under center, their odds become microscopic.

The Next Best Thing: STEELERS over Raiders

The Raiders are a solid club, and this isn’t an indictment of them. Simply put, this is a must-win for the Steelers. They’ve dropped two straight games, and if they want any prayer of a late push to win the NFC North, they’ll have to take care of business. The Raiders are scrappy, but running won’t be easy vs. Pittsburgh, and they’re making the dreaded cross-country trip for a 1:00 p.m. start. That, plus Oakland riding high after slapping the Jets silly, has letdown game written all over it.

If You Want To Get Cute: JETS over Jaguars

The Jaguars stink, and last week notwithstanding, the Jets have been very solid all year, especially on defense. The problem here is the Jets’ quarterback situation. Ryan Fitzpatrick has torn ligaments in his non-throwing hand that will require surgery. Even if it can be postponed until after the season, it’s unclear if he can play this week. Geno Smith is also injured, and even with him healthy, betting on Geno is unpleasant.

Beyond those two, it’s Bryce Petty, or maybe Matt Flynn. And despite all that, the Jets’ secondary should handle Jacksonville’s receivers, and T.J. Yeldon is going to repeatedly run into a wall of green and white. The Jets should win the game.

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