NFL Survivor Pool Contests: How to Play & Key Strategies
When NFL season rolls around, office pools such as eliminator, survivor, and pick’em leagues are on many people’s minds once again. Here at RotoGrinders, we will be offering some advice and best practices for how to approach each of these formats.
Understanding the Basics
Before diving into strategies, it’s essential to understand the core rules and differences between popular office pools.
In an eliminator pool, participants pick one team to win each week, but they can only choose a team once throughout the season.
Survivor pools are similar, but typically one incorrect pick results in elimination.
Pick’em leagues require players to predict the winner of each game weekly, and points are accumulated based on correct picks.
Each format presents unique challenges, but with the right approach, you can enhance your chances of success.
Strategy for NFL Eliminator and Survivor Pools
Here are some tips for fine-tuning your eliminator/survivor pool strategy:
- Plan Ahead, But Stay Flexible: At the start of the season, identify matchups where a team appears to have a significant advantage. However, don’t lock yourself into a plan too early. Injuries, weather conditions, and team form will affect outcomes as the weeks progress. Remain adaptable and adjust your strategy as needed.
- Avoid the Herd Mentality: Large percentages of players will often lean towards picking the same teams. While these may seem like safe bets, sudden upsets can eliminate many participants at once. Consider choosing less popular teams that still have a strong chance of winning, to outlast your competition.
- Monitor Team Schedules: Some teams have more favorable schedules later in the season. Save potent teams for tough weeks, while selecting weaker teams when they have more winnable games.
- Keep Current with NFL News: Staying informed about injuries, player trades, and other NFL news will give you an edge. This information can help you make better decisions about which teams to select each week.
Tips for NFL Pick’em Leagues
If you’re in a pick’em league, consider these tips:
- Analyze Matchup Data: Look beyond simple win-loss records. Assess teams based on offense and defense stats, home versus away performance, and recent form. Sites like ours and our friends over at FantasyLabs provide weekly matchup analysis that can guide your selections.
- Understand Point Spreads: While not the ultimate factor, comparing point spreads can offer insights into how experts view the competitiveness of a game. This can guide your decisions, especially in tight matchups.
- Use Tiers for Picks: Classify each matchup into tiers based on confidence levels. Have a top-tier (most confident picks) and work down to games where outcomes are less certain. Prioritize getting your top-tier matchups correct.
- Be Wary of Upsets: Just because an outcome is unexpected does not mean it won’t happen. Incorporating a few calculated upsets in your strategy can set your picks apart and gain an edge.
General Tips Across All NFL Pools
Some more tips for staying on top in your NFL pools include:
- Stay Disciplined: Don’t let emotions and fandom cloud your decision-making. Make selections based on data and analysis, not personal biases.
- Review Performance: Regularly evaluate your picks to identify strengths and areas for improvement. Understanding your decision-making habits can lead to better strategies in future weeks.
- Stay Engaged: Consistent participation and review ensure you’re always up-to-date with league dynamics.
Participating in NFL office pools can be a fun way to engage with the season, offering both camaraderie and competition. By applying these strategies, you’ll be better equipped to make smart decisions so you can have some weight behind your trash talk.