Who to take in Week 15 in your NFL survivor pool

Kevin Erickson | Staff Writer

In Week 14, our top NFL survivor pool option was a winner again as the New Orleans Saints (6-7) posted an impressive 28-6 win against the visiting Carolina Panthers (1-12). Picking against the Panthers lately has been a recipe for success.

The teams went scoreless in the first15 minutes, and it wasn't until the 4th quarter that the Saints started to pull away. Leading just 14-6 heading to the final 15 minutes, New Orleans scored a pair of passing TDs to cruise to the 22-point win.

The No. 2 option looked good on Monday night — until it didn't. The Green Bay Packers (6-7) were involved in a seesaw affair against the New York Giants (5-8). QB Jordan Love hit TE Malik Heath for a 6-yard go-ahead TD with just 1:33 left in regulation, and it looked like the Pack would survive. But the Giants had other ideas, as PK Randy Bullock sent the fans home happy with a 37-yard successful field goal at the buzzer, and New York won 24-22.

We've lost our No. 1 option 3 times — and would even be eliminated from pools that allow up to 3 defeats — but we're still here to help going forward.

Follow the Paste BN NFL Survivor Pool.

– All games Sunday and ET unless noted

The chalk: Indianapolis Colts

Who they play: Home vs. Steelers – Saturday, 4:30 p.m. (NFL Network)

We haven't used the Indianapolis Colts (7-6) as an option at any point this season. In fact, we haven't even picked against the Colts in 2023.

We've been picking on the poor Carolina Panthers lately, but my former colleague already used, and lost, with the Atlanta Falcons back in Week 9. They're playing at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, so we'll go another way.

The Colts were roughed up last time out on the road against the Cincinnati Bengals, snapping a 4-game losing streak. QB Gardner Minshew completed 66.7% of his passes, which was his best mark since Oct. 8, but he has just 3 passing TDs in the past 2 outings. However, Indy is back at home, where it picked up a 27-20 win as a 2.5-point favorite in Week 12 against the visiting Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-6) QB Mitchell Trubisky has been underwhelming in parts of the past 2 games for the injured QB Kenny Pickett (ankle), including his 1st start of the season last week on Thursday night in a stunning loss to the scuffling New England Patriots. He passed for 190 yards, 1 TD and 1 INT while running for another score. Based on Trubisky's poor play, and the fact the Colts are home with a little Minshew magic, INDIANAPOLIS IS MY TOP WEEK 15 SURVIVOR POOL PICK.

FOOTBALL NEVER STOPS

Live games, analysis and more 7 days a week: Get ESPN+

No. 2 option: Cleveland Browns

Who they play: Home vs. Bears – 1 p.m. (FOX)

For our 2nd option, we'll roll with the Cleveland Browns (8-5), who have the best record among the remaining unused teams. Ironically, like the Colts above, we have yet to pick the Browns to win, or pick against the them to lose, in 2023.

The Browns are coming off an impressive 31-27 win over the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 14, and Cleveland has won 4 straight games at home, including victories against the Jags, Steelers and San Francisco 49ers.

QB Justin Fields and the Chicago Bears (5-8) are not waving the white flag despite a 2-7 start. Chicago has won 3 of the past 4 games, including a win over the 1st-place Detroit Lions last week at Soldier Field. However, while they might be the Monsters of the Midway at home, the Bears are just 2-5 on the road this season while going 1-3 against AFC opponents.

Other to consider

Atlanta Falcons: Road vs. Carolina Panthers – 1 p.m. (FOX)

Los Angeles Rams: Home vs. Washington Commanders – 4:05 p.m. (CBS)

2023 survivor game log

NO. 1 OPTION

Week 1: WIN – Ravens 25, Texans 9

Week 2: WIN – Cowboys 30, Jets 10

Week 3: WIN – Dolphins 70, Broncos 20

Week 4: LOSS – Titans 27, Bengals 3

Week 5: WIN – Lions 42, Panthers 24

Week 6: WIN – Rams 26, Cardinals 9

Week 7: WIN – Seahawks 20, Cardinals 10

Week 8: WIN – Eagles 38, Commanders 31

Week 9: LOSS – Vikings 31, Falcons 28

Week 10: LOSS – Broncos 24, Bills 22

Week 11: WIN – 49ers 27, Buccaneers 14

Week 12: WIN – Chiefs 31, Raiders 17

Week 13: WIN – Buccaneers 21, Panthers 18

Week 14: WIN – Saints 28, Panthers 6

NO. 2 OPTION

Week 1: WIN: Commanders 20, Cardinals 16

Week 2: WIN – Bills 38, Raiders 10

Week 3: WIN – Chiefs 41, Bears 10

Week 4: WIN – 49ers 35, Cardinals 16

Week 5: LOSS – Steelers 17, Ravens 10

Week 6: WIN – Bills 14, Giants 9

Week 7: LOSS – Giants 14, Commanders 7

Week 8: WIN – Chargers 30, Bears 13

Week 9: WIN – Saints 24, Bears 17

Week 10: WIN – Cowboys 49, Giants 17

Week 11: WIN – Dolphins 20, Raiders 13

Week 12: WIN – Titans 17, Panthers 10

Week 13: LOSS – Bengals 34, Jaguars 31 (OT)

Week 14: LOSS – Giants 24, Packers 22

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and like us on Facebook.

Access more NFL coverage:

Facebook Twitter Email