There’s a little more space on survivor island this week.
We’re nearly one month into the 2025 NFL regular season and plenty remain. However, many – including us – were voted off in Week 3. Thanks, Atlanta Falcons.
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The “Dirty Birds” were shut out by the Carolina Panthers in a shocking result that was only upstaged by the Green Bay Packers’ loss in Cleveland. It just goes to show that perception isn’t always reality in a league where the margins are closer than expected.
Our journey might’ve come to an end, but that doesn’t mean we won’t try to help you continue yours. The Week 4 slate doesn’t present many opportunities and it can be dangerous to go with the crowd.
Sometimes, you have to take the road less traveled. Here are the best survivor picks for Week 4, along with our assessment of whether that is a wise path to take.
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
1. Philadelphia Eagles (3-0)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
1. Philadelphia Eagles (3-0)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
2. Buffalo Bills (3-0)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
3. Los Angeles Chargers (3-0)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
4. Los Angeles Rams (2-1)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
5. Green Bay Packers (2-1)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
6. Detroit Lions (2-1)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
7. Baltimore Ravens (1-2)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
8. Washington Commanders (2-1)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
9. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-0)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
10. Kansas City Chiefs (1-2)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
11. Indianapolis Colts (0-3)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
12. Seattle Seahawks (2-1)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
13. San Francisco 49ers (3-0)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
14. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
15. Minnesota Vikings (2-1)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
16. Arizona Cardinals (2-1)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
17. Jacksonville Jaguars (2-1)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
18. Denver Broncos (1-2)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
19. Chicago Bears (1-2)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
20. Cincinnati Bengals (2-1)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
21. Houston Texans (0-3)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
22. Carolina Panthers (1-2)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
23. Atlanta Falcons (1-2)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
24. Las Vegas Raiders (1-2)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
25. New England Patriots (1-2)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
26. Cleveland Browns (1-2)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
27. New York Jets (0-3)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
28. Dallas Cowboys (1-2)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
29. Miami Dolphins (0-3)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
30. New York Giants (0-3)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
31. Tennessee Titans (0-3)
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NFL Week 4 power rankings
32. New Orleans Saints (0-3)
NFL survivor picks Week 4Buffalo Bills (vs. New Orleans Saints)
If you didn’t take the plunge and make the Bills your survivor pick in Week 3, this is a good time to do it. This game features arguably the league’s best team against the worst, with the home team also getting the added benefit of playing at home.
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New Orleans was crushed by the Seahawks in Seattle last week, meaning Kellen Moore’s team has been in three different time zones over the last seven days. Don’t overcomplicate it and get ready for Week 5.
Los Angeles Chargers (at New York Giants)
We typically don’t like to trust west coast teams playing in the early window, but we’ll make an exception here. The Chargers appear to be a Super Bowl contender, while the Giants seem like the complete opposite. Luckily for those backing the road team here, defense typically travels well.
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Couple that with Jaxson Dart making his first career start and you have to like your chances. Rookie quarterbacks always experience an adjustment period, which Dart will have to endure against a dominant defense while facing intense pressure from a fanbase that has run out of patience. Good luck, kid.
Green Bay Packers (at Dallas Cowboys)
The Cowboys don’t have Micah Parsons, who will be making his return to Dallas. They also don’t have CeeDee Lamb, who is out with a high-ankle sprain. Dallas’ defense has been awfully generous to the opposition, allowing at least 30 points in each of the last two games.
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On the flip side, Green Bay is coming off a shocking loss to the Browns and now has the added emotional advantage of winning for Parsons. It could be a long night in Dallas.
Denver Broncos (vs. Cincinnati Bengals)
If you’re feeling frisky, this is one way to go. The Broncos have the altitude advantage and the better defense. Denver hasn’t looked good so far this year, struggling to fend off the Titans before then suffering close losses to the Colts and Chargers. Even worse, regression has hit Bo Nix like a freight train.
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If you decide to walk down this potentially lonely road, you’re trusting the Denver defense to return to form against Jake Browning – who has been giving out interceptions like Oprah used to with gifts on her show. That makes it a sneaky survivor pick, especially since it’s hard to trust Denver in their current form. This pick isn’t for the faint of heart though.
What team should you pick in NFL survivor pools this week?
The Buffalo Bills.
Week 3 continued to prove that anything can happen on any given Sunday. The Packers were shocked by the Browns and the Falcons couldn’t even score against the Panthers.
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If the Bills lose to the Saints, you just have to tip your cap and realize it wasn’t meant to be. Live to fight another week and get through what isn’t a particularly good slate to sift through.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: NFL survivor pool strategy, picks for Week 4