Who to take in Week 16 in your NFL survivor pool

Kevin Erickson | Staff Writer

In Week 15, both of our NFL survivor pool options picked up victories. The Indianapolis Colts (8-6) picked up a 30-13 home win Saturday against the skidding Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7) as our No. 1 option.

Things looked a little grim early on as the Steelers fired out of the box with a 13-0 lead in the 2nd quarter. However, QB Gardner Minshew led the Colts back with that "Minshew Magic," and survivor players are very thankful for that.

Our No. 2 option was a much closer shave, coming down to the final play with the Cleveland Browns (9-5) surviving in a 20-17 victory over the visiting Chicago Bears (5-9). Cleveland trailed 17-7 going into the 4th quarter, but QB Joe Flacco and company rallied to tie it with 3:08 to go and then took the lead on a field goal with 32 seconds remaining.

Still, the Bears had one last shot, and on a Hail Mary on the final play, QB Justin Fields threw into the end zone. The ball was in the belly of WR Darnell Mooney, who was on his back, but he couldn't haul it in. The Browns, and survivor players, lived on.

Overall, we've lost our No. 1 option 3 times, but I'll continue to do my best to help if you're fortunate to still be alive in your NFL survivor pool.

Follow the Paste BN NFL Survivor Pool.

– All games Sunday and ET unless noted

The chalk: Green Bay Packers

Who they play: At Panthers – 1 p.m. (FOX)

We haven't used the Green Bay Packers (6-8) as a No. 1 or No. 2 option at any point this season. We haven't picked against the Pack either.

The Packers are 2 games under .500. Their postseason hopes are on life support after a couple of costly losses to the New York Giants (5-9) and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-7) the past 2 weekends. But Green Bay has the opportunity to get right back on track with a win this Sunday in Charlotte.

Carolina (2-12) picked up a 9-7 win last week over the visiting Atlanta Falcons (6-8), negotiating rain, wind and mud for a hard-fought victory in front of a smattering of fans. The way Cheeseheads like to travel and with Carolina fans willing to sell tickets on the cheap, Bank of America Stadium might be called "Lambeau South" this Sunday.

Despite the fact Carolina picked up a win last week and Green Bay is on a 2-game skid, I like QB Jordan Love and company to get back on track. GREEN BAY IS MY TOP WEEK 16 SURVIVOR POOL PICK.

FOOTBALL NEVER STOPS

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

No. 2 option: Denver Broncos

Who they play: Home vs. Patriots – 8:15 p.m. (NFL Network)

It's hard to believe, but this game wasn't flexed out of the Sunday Night spot, perhaps because it is a holiday weekend.

In any event, the Denver Broncos (7-7) are in the AFC playoff mix and this is an important game for them. The New England Patriots (3-11) are hot garbage, but coach Bill Belichick's bunch did win its most recent prime-time game, claiming a 21-18 victory as 5.5-point road underdogs at the Steelers in the Week 14 Thursday Night matchup.

The Broncos have tailed off a bit, losing 2 of the past 3 games, but each of those games were on the road. In their most recent home game, the Broncos topped the 9-win Browns 29-12 in Week 12. A week a earlier, Denver won a prime-time tilt at home against the Minnesota Vikings 21-20.

The Broncos have won 3 consecutive prime-time games since Week 10, and they will do so again in this holiday special.

Other to consider

Chicago Bears: Home vs. Arizona Cardinals – 4:25 p.m. (FOX)

Philadelphia Eagles: Home vs. New York Giants – Monday, 4:30 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

Week 15: WIN – Colts 30, Steelers 13

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

Week 15: WIN – Browns 20, Bears 17

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