About this episode
Mackenzie Rivers and Dan Rivera talk NFL Survivor for Week 1. 0:15–1:23 — Mackenzie Rivers kicks things off by welcoming listeners back, noting the show’s growth from a small SoundCloud project to a widely followed contest discussion. His opening blends humor with a promise of actionable insight, reminding everyone the goal is making sharp picks and lasting deep into the season. 1:24–2:07 — Dan Rivera admits he’s moved away from fantasy football, finding Survivor contests more rewarding. He frames it as a different kind of grind where deep runs matter more than fantasy titles, setting a tone of seriousness and strategy. 2:07–3:35 — Rivers highlights Philadelphia’s opener, where betting lines moved from around −315 pregame to as high as −450 live. He credits Jalen Hurts’ rushing as the difference-maker and cautions against overreacting to the close margin, signaling to Survivor players that patience pays. 3:57–6:34 — Rivera turns to Dallas, pointing out their lack of pass rush, reliance on penalties, and roster questions. His verdict is that Week 1 divisional games can be misleading, and bettors shouldn’t make rash judgments about either team. 6:34–8:26 — Rivers adds that both sides had only eight possessions, skewing scoring totals. He sees Philly as a missed opportunity for those who didn’t take them, stressing that contest entries using the Eagles now sit with an early advantage. 8:26–12:37 — The two break down contest formats. Circa runs 20 weeks with holidays as separate slates, BetOnline uses 19, and Splash demands double picks late in the season. Rivera calls Splash unfair, while Rivers corrects a schedule note, underscoring the importance of knowing rules inside out. 14:41–22:11 — The Denver Broncos emerge as the strongest pick. Rivera cites Tennessee’s limited passing attack and shaky quarterback situation, while Rivers builds the case with history: rookie Week 1 quarterbacks are 2–10 straight up, No. 1 overall picks 1–8–1 in debuts, and Denver is 17–5 in Week 1 at altitude. He also stresses Sean Payton’s strong Week 1 record. 25:46–32:51 — Washington versus the Giants is flagged as dangerous. Rivera notes regression risk for the Commanders’ defense and praises New York’s pass rush, while Rivers points out Kliff Kingsbury’s teams often fade quickly. Survivor takeaway: avoid this shaky matchup. 32:52–41:54 — Arizona against New Orleans is another focus. Rivera is low on the Saints’ offense, while Rivers goes further, calling them possibly the league’s worst. Both see the Cardinals as nearly as safe as Denver, particularly with defensive pressure likely to cause problems. 46:41–49:53 — Rivers warns against Cincinnati as a Survivor choice, pointing to their September struggles under Zach Taylor and the Browns’ ability to keep games close as divisional home dogs. 49:55–54:38 — Kansas City against the Chargers in Brazil is floated as a contrarian option. Rivera highlights the Chiefs’ healthier roster and defensive strength, while Rivers acknowledges the upside but warns about neutral-site volatility. 54:39–1:01:12 — The Steelers versus Jets round out the debate. Rivera believes Tomlin will force Fields into passing errors and lean on the defensive front. Rivers adds historical data showing quarterbacks like Fields struggle early. They agree Pittsburgh is a viable but risky third option. Closing — The consensus locks Denver as the top pick, Arizona as a strong secondary, and Pittsburgh as a situational third. For formats allowing repeats, they lean toward doubling up on Denver. The wrap emphasizes discipline, historical awareness, and knowing contest rules as the keys to staying alive week after week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices