Surviving Week 4

Surviving Week 4

This article is part of our Survivor series.

Last week's Colts fade was for naught, but at least I picked the right team to pivot to in the Patriots. The Chargers, Cardinals and Eagles knocked out 26 percent of pools collectively. 

Let's take a look at this week's games:

TeamOpponent%Taken*Vegas ML**Vegas OddsExpected Loss
RAMSGiants54.70%67587.107.06
RavensFOOTBALL TEAM23.40%75088.242.75
SeahawksDOLPHINS5.20%27573.331.39
BUCCANEERSChargers5.10%30075.001.28
PACKERSFalcons3.30%31075.610.80
49ERSEagles2.00%29074.360.51
COWBOYSBrowns1.90%20567.210.62

Home teams in CAPS
* According to "polling" data on Officefootballpools.com 
** Average of the two moneylines

The first two massive favorites of the year are the Rams and Ravens, and while the Rams are at home, look at the massive number of people on them, presumably intending to save Baltimore for later. You should almost never save teams for reasons I've gone into here

My Picks

1. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are traveling off a short week, but it's a quick drive from Baltimore to D.C., and I expect them to bounce back against the Football Team. Dwayne Haskins isn't good, and Chase Young is out for the game too. I give the Ravens an 87 percent chance to win this game. 

2. Los Angeles Rams

They're home against a weak Giants team, so ordinarily this would be a great play, but they're also 55 percent owned, so they're an easy fade with the Ravens

Last week's Colts fade was for naught, but at least I picked the right team to pivot to in the Patriots. The Chargers, Cardinals and Eagles knocked out 26 percent of pools collectively. 

Let's take a look at this week's games:

TeamOpponent%Taken*Vegas ML**Vegas OddsExpected Loss
RAMSGiants54.70%67587.107.06
RavensFOOTBALL TEAM23.40%75088.242.75
SeahawksDOLPHINS5.20%27573.331.39
BUCCANEERSChargers5.10%30075.001.28
PACKERSFalcons3.30%31075.610.80
49ERSEagles2.00%29074.360.51
COWBOYSBrowns1.90%20567.210.62

Home teams in CAPS
* According to "polling" data on Officefootballpools.com 
** Average of the two moneylines

The first two massive favorites of the year are the Rams and Ravens, and while the Rams are at home, look at the massive number of people on them, presumably intending to save Baltimore for later. You should almost never save teams for reasons I've gone into here

My Picks

1. Baltimore Ravens

The Ravens are traveling off a short week, but it's a quick drive from Baltimore to D.C., and I expect them to bounce back against the Football Team. Dwayne Haskins isn't good, and Chase Young is out for the game too. I give the Ravens an 87 percent chance to win this game. 

2. Los Angeles Rams

They're home against a weak Giants team, so ordinarily this would be a great play, but they're also 55 percent owned, so they're an easy fade with the Ravens available. I give the Rams an 88 percent chance to win this game. 

3. Green Bay Packers

Even though the Rams are heavily owned, I would still use them over the Packers who are favored but not by nearly the same margin. Aaron Rodgers has looked like his old self, but Davante Adams is iffy for the game, and the Falcons offense gives them a puncher's chance. I give the Packers a 78 percent chance to win this game. 

Notable Omissions: 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers -- The Bucs should handle the Chargers at home, but Tom Brady and the offense have yet to get entirely in sync, and the Chargers aren't a doormat. 

Seattle Seahawks -- I love the pass-first Seahawks, but the Dolphins showed up last week, are on extra rest and the Seattle-Miami trip is about as long as it gets in the continental US. 

San Francisco 49ers -- They crushed both NY teams while missing key starters, but they won't get everyone back, and the Eagles are a desperate animal. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Chris Liss
Chris Liss was RotoWire's Managing Editor and Host of RotoWIre Fantasy Sports Today on Sirius XM radio from 2001-2022.
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