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NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 3: Advice and Predictions

by Sean Barnard - 9/21/2022

NFL survivor pool picks Week 3 Travis Kelce Kansas City Chiefs

The madness of the NFL season is in full swing, and expectations have rapidly changed for several teams around the NFL. There are just six remaining undefeated teams, while five teams have fallen to 0-2. In Week 2, favorites went 10-6, but their record against the spread was just 7-9. The week's biggest victory was the Bills’ 41-7 win over the Titans to comfortably cover the 10-point spread. The most notable upset was the Cowboys' 20-17 victory over the Bengals in which they covered the +7 spread and won outright as +260 underdogs. As Week 3 approaches, here are the best survivor pool picks ranked from strongest to weakest.

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Chiefs (-6.5) over Colts

The Colts have been the NFL’s most disappointing team thus far and hold a record of 0-1-1. Their tie to the Texans and 24-0 loss to the Jaguars are both major concerns. Indianapolis will face a far more talented team in the Kansas City Chiefs this week and have a lot they need to fix. Matt Ryan has thrown four interceptions and just one touchdown so far this year. Don’t overthink this one and count on the Chiefs to remain undefeated. Chiefs by double digits.

Eagles (-6.5) over Commanders

The Eagles are arguably the hottest team in the NFL after their dominant 24-7 victory over the Vikings on Monday night. Jalen Hurts played like an MVP candidate, and the roster surrounding him is complete. Count on the Eagles to spoil Carson Wentz’s potential revenge game and to have no trouble dealing with their NFC East rivals. Eagles by two touchdowns or more.

Chargers (-7) over Jaguars

The Chargers suffered a narrow loss to the Chiefs last week and will be back in search of vengeance. The Jaguars have been a pleasant surprise this season but are not the same caliber of a team as the Chargers and will be forced to travel cross country ahead of this matchup. Count on the Chargers to have too much firepower and for them to cruise to a double-digit victory in Week 3.

Bills (-5.5) over Dolphins

The Miami Dolphins deserve a ton of credit for their historic comeback win last week over the Ravens in which Tua Tagovailoa made a major statement about his status as a starting-caliber quarterback. While the Dolphins are trending upwards and have their most dangerous offense in quite some time, the Bills are seemingly on another level this year. Expect their Super Bowl tour to continue and for them to pick up a victory in this matchup. Count on this one to stay closer than some expect but for Buffalo to get the win. Bills 31, Dolphins 27.

Raiders (-2) over Titans

Each of these teams comes into the matchup with an 0-2 record but with a different feeling about the results. The Raiders are coming off a disappointing overtime loss to the Cardinals and lost 24-19 to the Chargers in the opening week. In contrast, the Titans were beaten by the Giants in week 1 and were dismantled by the Bills most recently. Tennessee failed to get anything going in the matchup, and it may be time to panic ahead of this week. Count on the Raiders to capitalize on this and cruise to a comfortable victory of a touchdown or more.

Vikings (-6) over Lions

The Vikings will be looking to rebound off their convincing loss at the hands of the Eagles and will have a chance to get back in the win column against the Lions. With Kirk Cousins out of the Monday Night spotlight, he can settle in and produce in a way that will be trouble for Detroit. This will be a matchup that remains somewhat close, but count on the Vikings' offensive firepower to be the difference. Minnesota 33, Detroit 24.

Monday Night Football: Giants (-2.5) over Cowboys

It was an impressive performance from Cooper Rush as he took the starting quarterback reigns with Dak Prescott injured and led the team to a victory over the Bengals. This win cannot be taken away from him, but it is fair to question if it can be replicated. The Giants have emerged as a potential surprise team this year and enter the matchup 2-0. Expect them to get the better of their NFC East foe and remain undefeated as reality sets in slightly for Dallas. Giants by a touchdown or more.

Bengals (-4.5) over Jets

It has been a nightmare start to the 2022 season for the Bengals. After exceeding expectations and making their way to the Super Bowl last year, they have fallen to 0-2 and must pick up a win in this matchup to get back on track. The Jets are a more solid team than they have been given credit, and Cincinnati will not find success until they find a way to protect Joe Burrow. Through two weeks, he has been sacked 13 times, which leads the NFL. Don’t expect it to be pretty but count on the Bengals to find a way into the win column and avoid a full disaster to start the season.

Sunday Night Football: 49ers (-1.5) over Broncos

Each of these teams enters this matchup 1-1 and began the season with a disappointing loss. The Broncos have struggled to get anything going offensively and nearly lost to the Texans in Week 2 prior to their fourth-quarter comeback. With the Denver offense struggling and Jimmy Garoppolo playing with a chip on his shoulder, expect the 49ers to find their way into the win column. The 49ers' defense is sure to cause issues for the Broncos, and count on San Francisco to get the victory. Niners 24, Broncos 13.

Ravens (-3) over Patriots

The Ravens found themselves on the wrong end of the historic comeback win by the Dolphins last week and will be looking to get back in the win column themselves. Baltimore struggled to match up with Tyreek Hill and Jaylen Waddle, and their defense was the team’s ultimate undoing. With far less dynamic wide receivers on the Patriots, expect the Ravens to keep their foot on the gas and pick up the victory.  Ravens by a touchdown.

Cardinals (+3.5) over Rams

It is still uncertain what to make of either one of these teams. The Rams were blown out by the Bills in the opening week matchup and narrowly escaped the Falcons in their Week 2 victory. In comparison, the Cardinals lost handily to the Chiefs in Week 1 and had a miraculous overtime win over the Raiders to get in the win column last week. This should be expected to be a tight matchup, but I like the Cardinals to ride the momentum and take down the defending champions in front of their home crowd. Kyler Murray is set to be the most dynamic player on the field, and this bodes well for the Cardinals' chances.  Arizona 27, Los Angeles 21.

Panthers (+3) over Saints

It has not been an ideal start for Baker Mayfield in Carolina. The team has lost the past two games by a combined five points but holds an 0-2 record nonetheless. They will be desperate to get in the win column and have their sights set on the Saints to do just this. Expect the Panthers to do just enough to pick up the victory and avoid and 0-3 start by securing a 20-14 positive result.

Falcons (+2) over Seahawks

Both the Falcons and Seahawks have exceeded expectations through the first two weeks. Each team was expected to be at the bottom of the NFL conversation (and still might be) but has shown some positive flashes through the first two weeks. Atlanta remains 0-2 but has found themselves firmly in both games thus far. Expect them to do enough to get in the win column in Week 3. While the Seahawks had a near-ideal Week 1 start, it is entirely possible this was the team’s peak. Count on the Falcons to shut down Geno Smith and secure a seven-point victory. 

Texans (+3) over Bears

While they enter the matchup 0-1-1, the Houston Texans have been somewhat of a surprise this season. They tied the Colts in Week 1 and had the Broncos on the ropes in last week’s matchup before the Broncos outscored them 10-0 in the fourth to secure the win. With a better opportunity against the Bears and a far more complete roster than has been given credit, count on the Texans to pull off the Week 3 upset. Chicago will be looking to bounce back following their loss to the Packers, but this very well could be a matchup they overlook. Count on the Texans to scrap out a three-point win in the matchup.

Buccaneers (-1.5) over Packers

There are sure to be all eyes on what could be the final matchup between Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers. With the home crowd behind them, and a 2-0 record to protect, expect the Buccaneers to do enough to secure the victory. The chemistry between Aaron Rodgers and his receiving corps is still a work in progress, and the Buccaneers could cause some issues with this. Expect Tampa Bay to come out on top, but this one will likely come down to the wire.

Thursday Night Football: Browns (-4.5) over Steelers

As nice as it would be to get the survivor pick out of the way on Thursday night, this is not the matchup to do it. Both the Steelers and Browns come into the matchup 1-1 and come off heartbreaking losses of three points or less. This will be a grind-it-out performance in which I lean toward the Browns getting the win, but one that you are best off staying away from.

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