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NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 16: Advice and Predictions

by Spencer Toth - 12/18/2024

NFL survivor pool picks Week 16 Jordan Love Green Bay Packers

The clock is ticking, as just three weeks remain until the ultimate NFL achievement is collected. Surviving an entire season is no easy task, but the NFL survivor pool Gods were kind in Week 15. Our top eight selections won outright last week, and all 10 favorites of 3.5 or more points got the job done. The biggest upset of the week was the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3) beating the Los Angeles Chargers, but all eyes have shifted onto next week’s tantalizing slate of options. Here are your Week 16 survivor pool picks ranked from most to least confident. 

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Green Bay Packers (-14) Over New Orleans Saints

The Packers have been steamrolling subpar opposition all season long and are about as safe as a team can get at this stage of the season. Jordan Love has been playing excellent football, and the Packers have all the motivation to push for the NFC North title. The Saints have turned to Spencer Rattler with Derek Carr on the sidelines, and it’s difficult to see that decision paying dividends this weekend. The Packers have the Vikings next week and a possibly meaningless game against the Bears in Week 18. If you haven’t used them yet, now is the time to do so. 

Buffalo Bills (-14) Over New England Patriots

It's another multi-touchdown favorite that can serve as a gimme for Week 16. The Bills have been rolling and are still battling for the top seed in the AFC. New England has shown signs of life on the defensive end, but MVP favorite Josh Allen will have no problems carving them up at home. Buffalo has a couple of easy games left on their schedule, so while they are a ‘free’ pick this week the Packers are the way to go if possible. 

Cincinnati Bengals (-7.5) Over Cleveland Browns

The Bengals are still alive in the playoff race and simply cannot afford a loss this week if they are to remain relevant. Cleveland will be turning away from Jameis Winston at quarterback, but Dorian Thompson-Robinson will not suddenly be the savior for the Browns. Joe Burrow and the Bengals will keep their season alive with a convincing victory over the Browns. 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-4) Over Dallas Cowboys

Another team we have already used, but the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are another fantastic pick this week. Their offensive line will be able to shut down Micah Parsons and the Dallas defense while Baker Mayfield picks them apart down the field. Tampa Bay controls their own destiny in the NFC South race, and the Cowboys are a shadow of their former selves at this stage. Don’t be deterred by the short spread, as the Buccaneers will walk away with a win on Sunday Night Football. 

Detroit Lions (-6.5) Over Chicago Bears

The Bears have lost eight games in a row and there will be no relief when the Detroit Lions come to town. Caleb Williams has had no time thanks to a weak offensive line, and a hungry Lions defense will swallow him up all game long. Detroit will want to shake off their loss last week, and don’t have any easier games left this season. If you haven’t used them yet, now is the time to do so. 

Philadelphia Eagles (-3) Over Washington Commanders

The Eagles physicality gave Washington real issues earlier this season and will do so again this week. Washington needed to stop a game-winning two-point conversion against the lowly Saints last week and that kind of play will not be acceptable against the mighty Eagles. Saquon Barkley is making a late MVP push, and the injuries are quickly mounting for the Commanders. The road team in a high stakes divisional game can be a risky pick, but the Eagles are simply better in almost every position on the field and will be the official selection this week. 

Atlanta Falcons (-8.5) Over New York Giants

It’s hard to trust rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. with your survivor pool life as he makes his first start of the season. However, the Falcons have been making do with a truly awful Kirk Cousins for the last month, so this may even be an upgrade. Once you factor in the Giants abysmal form and quarterback situation, the Falcons will undoubtedly be a popular pick this week. They are relatively low on the list but are still a safe pick this week.  

San Francisco 49ers (+1) Over Miami Dolphins 

The 49ers playoff chances have been all but wiped away, but this team will still want to finish off the year strong. They have a pair of tough games left after Miami, making them a sneaky selection for Week 16. The defense is far superior to the Dolphins, so even a lackluster offensive showing will be enough to pick up a much-needed win.

Minnesota Vikings (-3) Over Seattle Seahawks 

The Vikings defense is among the best units in the league, and a turnover prone Geno Smith will cost Seattle the game. The Seahawks have been fortunate to capitalize on big plays over the last month and are still not quite on the Vikings level. Minnesota senses their chance to storm on top of the NFC North and will show their ruthlessness against Seattle. 

Baltimore Ravens (-6.5) Over Pittsburgh Steelers

The Steelers will make this a close game in Baltimore, but they will not do enough to take down the Ravens. This game has a massive impact on the AFC North standings. This is a high-profile team that you have probably already used at this stage, but the Ravens are worth considering if you haven’t. Pittsburgh is balanced on both sides of the ball, but they will be no match for the Lamar Jackson and Derrick Henry two-pronged attack on Saturday night. 

Los Angeles Rams (-3) Over New York Jets

The New York Jets are a dumpster fire, and you shouldn’t need too much convincing to fade them weekly. Aaron Rodgers needs to hang up his cleats, and the LA Rams need this game to get one step closer to the postseason. Matthew Stafford has been an excellent mentor for the young talent in Los Angeles, and he will lead the Rams to a convincing win over the free-falling Jets. 

Denver Broncos (+2.5) Over Los Angeles Chargers

There is not a good reason to take either of these teams on Thursday night. The slight edge goes to the Broncos after watching the Chargers defense completely collapse last week. Bo Nix has been playing with consistency rarely seen with rookies this season. His ability to stay composed has already led the Broncos to 9 wins this season, and they can get into double digits with a valuable divisional win over the Chargers. 

Las Vegas Raiders (PK) Over Jacksonville Jaguars

The Raiders get the slight edge here thanks to home field advantage combined with the poor play from Jacksonville quarterback Mac Jones. Jones threw a game-losing interception last week and cannot be trusted in crunch time. There are better options this week, but if your choices are limited the Raiders could be the way to go. 

Tennessee Titans (+3.5) Over Indianapolis Colts

The Titans have a superior defense over the Colts. Considering there are a pair of struggling quarterbacks, that could be the difference-maker in this meaningless NFL game this week. The Titans are a slight lean for your survivor pool picks, but there is no reason to go near this one. 

Kansas City Chiefs (-3) Over Houston Texans

Patrick Mahomes’ status is up in the air for this matchup, making this an impossible game to select for your survivor pool. A 100% healthy Mahomes would make this a straightforward win for the Chiefs, but that is not the case. 

Survivor Pool Pick of the Week: Philadelphia Eagles Over Washington Commanders

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