NFL Survivor Pool Picks and Advice: Week 15

by Chris Vasile - 12/16/2020

It was a rather straightforward Week 14 for survivor pools, with 13 favorites winning outright. The three underdogs that did win were sexy picks based on the spot they were in. As we inch closer to the end of the regular season, it’s important to understand the motivation of each team and what each team is playing for. Teams at the bottom of the standings may want to play spoiler to a division rival or they may want to take their loss and move closer towards the offseason. Finding any extra edge with motivational factors could be the decisive advantage you need in turning a losing bet into a winning one.

Indianapolis Colts over Houston Texans: As long as the Texans’ offensive line is brutal, Deshaun Watson’s career is going to be wasted. The Texans got obliterated on the road last week and now have to travel to Indy to take on a Colts team that’s fighting for the division title. The Colts can run and pass the ball, and they have a top-10 defense. This game shouldn’t even be close.

Los Angeles Rams over New York Jets: Do you need any more reasons to bet against the Jets? They stink and now play their second road game – out west – in as many weeks. Rams roll in this one.

Las Vegas Raiders over Los Angeles Chargers: If you compare rosters between these two teams, I’m not sure you can make a case that the Raiders have the better roster. Despite that, the Raiders are a team that is actually a cohesive unit that is well-coached. The Chargers have been in disarray for the last month, and you simply can’t trust them on the road. Raiders score enough in this one to grab the win.

Buffalo Bills over Denver Broncos: As someone who has followed the Bills for more than 15 years, this is usually the game they have a massive let down and blow the win. This year feels different, though. And with the Bills getting ever closer to their first division title in quite some time, I think McDermott will have his guys ready to play. The defense is stepping up at the right time, and the offense is looking smooth as ever. Denver simply won’t have the answers to win this game.

Green Bay Packers over Carolina Panthers: The Packers are now in the driver’s seat for the No. 1 overall seed in the NFC. This is their third home game in four weeks, and they should be ready to handle a Carolina squad that’s playing out the string. The Panthers may get Christian McCaffrey back for this one, and that scares me a bit, but I do think the Packers will score enough points to get the win.

Tennessee Titans over Detroit Lions: The Lions were competitive last week against the Packers but still lost. They are banged up on both sides of the ball, and we don’t see their 29th-ranked rush defense being able to contain Derrick Henry and the Titans’ rushing attack. Tennessee, like Indy, is fighting for the division title, and this is a game they can ill-afford to lose.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers over Atlanta Falcons: This is a tough spot for the Bucs after winning an emotional game vs the Vikings last week. However, I’ll trust them on the basis that Tom Brady and Bruce Arians know what they are doing and the fact that they are holding a wild-card spot. Can’t see Tampa losing this one and putting their playoffs in jeopardy.

Baltimore Ravens over Jacksonville Jaguars: The Jaguars suck. If the Jets do something stupid like win a football game, the Jags could possibly pick first overall and grab their franchise QB. The Jags will lose this game by default, and the Ravens, who somehow survived, and covered, against the Browns on Monday, will keep their playoff hopes alive.

Miami Dolphins over New England Patriots: It seems weird having to pick the Dolphins over the Patriots, but it’s 2020, and these two teams are headed in opposite directions. The Dolphins are fighting for the playoffs, while the Patriots are looking forward to the draft. The Dolphins have more playmakers than the Pats, and that’s good enough for us.

Chicago Bears over Minnesota Vikings: At this point, it’s tough to trust the Vikings. They have absolutely no kicking game to speak of, and that leaves the offense behind the eight ball. The Bears offense seems to have found new life. And they should beat a Vikings team that’s just playing out the string.

Dallas Cowboys over San Francisco 49ers: Both of these teams have performed well below expectations due to injuries, but I think I trust Andy Dalton more than Nick Mullens. Dallas blew Cincinnati out last week, while the Niners fell to Washington. I’ll take a shot with Dallas here as they have the better playmakers.

Washington over Seattle Seahawks: Why not take a shot with the Football Team? They’ve won four straight games and have the pole position on the NFC East division title. Seattle is not the same on the road. And despite thrashing the Jets, the Seahawks just don’t travel well. This game will be close, and there are better games to bet on that have a bigger edge.

Arizona Cardinals over Philadelphia Eagles: It’s one thing for a rookie quarterback making his first start to win a game at home when the team has little tape on him. Now that he’s on tape and is taking to the road in just his second start, we’ll likely see a different player. The Cardinals are right there in the NFC playoff pictures and this is a game they can ill-afford to lose.

Kansas City Chiefs over New Orleans Saints: Patrick Mahomes is better than Taysom Hill. Need I say more? I highly doubt the Chiefs get beat by Hill, and they’ll be able to sell out to stop Alvin Kamara out of the backfield. The Chiefs are still fighting for the No. 1 seed in the AFC, and the small spread is extremely disrespectful to the defending champs.

Pittsburgh Steelers over Cincinnati Bengals: If the Steelers can’t get their offense right against the lowly Bengals, it’s going to be an early postseason exit. The Steelers can’t block anyone on the offensive line and rely on quick, short passes to move down the field. That’s caught up with them as they’ve lost two straight games. However, the Bengals are a bad football team, and the Steelers should handle them with ease.

New York Giants over Cleveland Browns: I think this is going to be a flat spot for the Browns. They drained the tank on Monday Night against the Ravens and still fell short. The Giants laid an egg at home to the Cardinals, but I expect a minor bounce-back for them in this spot. Upset special.

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NFL Survivor Pool Picks and Advice: Week 15

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