Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase looks on after the game against the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High.

Like my Survivor Pool pick in Week 4, the Buffalo Bills, I'm undefeated on the season. As we move into Week 5, the only goal is to continue picking winners. No longer am I concerned with burning good teams too early.

With that said, the Detroit Lions have proven they remain one of the NFL's elite teams after stumbling out the gate in Week 1. But with a remaining schedule tied for the toughest by winning percentage, it's probably best we take advantage of an easy matchup while we can. Detroit may be going on the road for their Week 5 meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals, but it absolutely qualifies as an easy matchup based on what the Bengals have put on tape the last two weeks. The Lions are 10.5-point favorites. That's where I'm going for another week of survival.

Which team is the best Survivor Pool pick for Week 5?

Pick: Lions

As bad as Cincinnati's offense has been the last two weeks, mustering a combined 13 points in games against the Vikings and Broncos, it's actually the defense that makes me so confident in fading the Bengals. While I fully expect Jake Browning to have a breakout game at some point with all the weapons he has at his disposal, I don't think it'll matter against a team like Detroit that might put up 40 points on a Cincy defense that's given up 76 points the last two weeks.

Alternatives: Rams, Bills, Cardinals, Cowboys

Previous picks

Week 1: Broncos (W)

Week 2: Cardinals (W)

Week 3: Buccaneers (W)

Week 4: Bills (W)

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2025 NFL survivor pool picks Week 5: The Bengals are easy to fade

Reporting by Prince J. Grimes, For The Win / For The Win

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