49ers, Jaguars or Chiefs? Week 9 NFL survivor strategy and picks weigh safe bets against risk

The safest Week 9 choices

The 49ers are favored by 9.5 points over the Raiders, the Jaguars by 10.5 over the Ravens, and the Chiefs by 9.5 over the Jets. David Fucillo lists all three as safe choices.

San Francisco comes off a bye and is getting healthier, while the Raiders’ defense has struggled. The Ravens are short on quarterbacks, and Fucillo expects Kansas City to beat the Jets comfortably despite the Chiefs’ recent loss.

Value and potential traps

Tampa Bay has its quarterback back after beating Atlanta in the rain, but Fucillo sees value in Chicago, which he says is playing well. He points to Jeffery Simmons’ addition to the defense and Caleb Williams’ solid play.

Seattle is another option, though the matchup with Arizona is a divisional game. Fucillo says the Cardinals have effectively given up on the season, but Gardner Minshew can be dangerous. Drew Lock is starting for Seattle with Sam Darnold injured, and Fucillo says the change may not be a downgrade.

Detroit faces a difficult spot

Fucillo expects the Lions to handle the Dolphins, but sees reasons for caution: Detroit must travel to Miami after an emotional win over Minnesota. He calls it a tough spot.

He says Seattle remains a possible trap if a player believes Lock is a downgrade and Minshew can spark Arizona. There may still be value in Seattle, but Fucillo describes the choice as difficult.

Fucillo’s pick and pool context

Fucillo’s pick is the Bears. He says he could use Jacksonville or Seattle instead, but plans to save those teams for later. Survivor players pick one team to win each week and usually are eliminated if that team loses. Fucillo says he has one entry left in a double-elimination pool, with one strike already, after losing three entries; the Texans eliminated one of them last week.