Survivor pools are one of the most popular ways to bet on the NFL, and countless contests are set to start with football returning. Every team is available at the start of the 2021 season, creating a long list of strong options.

Here’s a ranking of the top-10 survivor picks for Week 1.

1) San Francisco 49ers (at Detroit Lions)

San Francisco is a legitimate Super Bowl contender, while Detroit might be the NFC’s worst team. The Lions are 3-13 at home over the last two seasons. Detroit last finished with a winning home record five years ago.

2) Los Angeles Rams (vs. Chicago Bears)

The Rams have beaten the Bears by double digits in back-to-back seasons, holding Chicago to 17 total points. Los Angeles’ offense should be better with Matthew Stafford replacing Jared Goff. There might only be a few chances to pick against the Bears with Andy Dalton under center.

3) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (vs. Dallas Cowboys)

The Bucs are the biggest favorites on the Week 1 schedule for a reason. The Cowboys are expected to be without their best offensive lineman, and Dak Prescott hasn’t made an NFL start in 11 months. Tampa Bay’s star-studded offense should have its way with a poor Dallas defense.

4) Minnesota Vikings (at Cincinnati Bengals)

It’s been six years since the Bengals had a good team. Joe Burrow might struggle in his first action since suffering a devastating knee injury as a rookie. Minnesota’s defense is going to be much better in 2021.

5) Baltimore Ravens (at Las Vegas Raiders)

The Raiders have one winning season in the last 19 years. Lamar Jackson has a 30-7 record in the regular season. Both trends should continue in 2021, starting with a Ravens’ victory in Las Vegas.

6) Green Bay Packers (at New Orleans Saints)

The Saints’ chances of pulling off an upset took a severe hit when the game was moved from New Orleans to Jacksonville. Green Bay has a much better quarterback and receiving corps. The only reason the Packers aren’t higher on the list is because it might be better to save them as a survivor pick next week when they host the Lions.

7) Seattle Seahawks (at Indianapolis Colts)

With a career 98-45-1 record, Russell Wilson is often a safe survivor option. It’s unknown if Carson Wentz can bounce back from his awful 2020 season. Colts All-Pro guard Quenton Nelson is questionable, and No. 1 receiver T.Y. Hilton is out.

8) Kansas City Chiefs (vs. Cleveland Browns)

Patrick Mahomes is 26-4 in his last 30 regular-season games. The Chiefs beat the Browns in the divisional playoffs as Mahomes missed the fourth quarter with an injury. Kansas City is still the class of the AFC, though Cleveland is a contender and capable of winning at Arrowhead Stadium.

9) New England Patriots (vs. Miami Dolphins)

The Patriots are always good at home, even going 5-3 last year without fans and during a down season. New England upgraded its defense, playmakers and quarterback in the offseason. Miami should be a playoff contender, as well.

10) Tennessee Titans (vs. Arizona Cardinals)

The Titans are simply the better team after winning the AFC South and adding Julio Jones to an already explosive offense. It remains to be seen if Kliff Kingsbury can turn Kyler Murray and Arizona’s offense into an elite unit.

Jimmy Garoppolo girlfriend
San Francisco 49ers quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo celebrates after a win at Levi's Stadium on Jan. 11, 2020 in Santa Clara, California. Lachlan Cunningham/Getty Images
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