If you are unaware of what NFL survivor picks are, the basic concept is you make NFL picks throughout the season, but you can only pick a team once. Once you lose, you’re knocked out, so choose your Week 16 NFL Survivor Pool picks wisely.
If you are new to reading my survivor articles, what I do is outline my “lock of the week,” my “value of the week” and my “high-risk, high-reward pick.”
The lock of the week details what team I think has the best chance of winning their matchup. This would most likely be a good team that plays a bad team. The lock is also the official pick for NFL Survivor Pools, meaning we will not reuse a “lock.” My value pick of the week details a mid-tier team that has a good matchup. And finally, my high-risk, high-reward pick details a bad team that has a good matchup. It may be worth it to look at the NFL betting odds for these games and place some bets as well.
Teams Used:
- Baltimore Ravens
- Buffalo Bills
- Jacksonville Jaguars
- Kansas City Chiefs
- Detroit Lions
- Miami Dolphins
- Seattle Seahawks
- Philadelphia Eagles
- Cleveland Browns
- Dallas Cowboys
- San Francisco 49ers
- Tennessee Titans
- Pittsburgh Steelers
- Minnesota Vikings
- Los Angeles Rams
Week 16 NFL Survivor Pool Picks
Lock of the Week | Best Pick for NFL Survivor Pool Picks Week 16
Denver Broncos vs. New England Patriots
I will admit that I was very sour on the Denver Broncos to start the season, but they have since proven me wrong. Throughout the season, the Broncos offense has been alright, but the defense was really bad. That has since changed and the defense is playing much better than the start of the season. This week, that defense has the opportunity to take on a bad New England Patriots offense.
Believe it or not, but the Broncos are in the running for a playoff spot and, according to the New York Times Playoff Simulator, currently hold a 21% chance of making the playoffs. That means that they pretty much have to win out to sniff the postseason, so one has to imagine that this is a huge game for Sean Payton and company. One of the weaknesses that has gone through New England this year has been the poor play of the offensive line. That seems like something Denver can exploit this week with Nik Bonitto and Baron Browning. Making Bailey Zappe uncomfortable is going to be huge for the Broncos.
With that being said, the Patriots have given up 3,127 to opposing passer. This is something that can be exploited if Javonte Williams and Samaje Perine get going, making Denver the Week 16 NFL Survivor Pool pick to make.
Lock of the Week: Denver Broncos
Value Pick of the Week | Week 16 NFL Survivor Pool Picks
Chicago Bears vs. Arizona Cardinals
Now, it is obviously to a lesser degree, but the Chicago Bears, like the Broncos, have a chance to make the playoffs. They get a chance to make that reality come a little more true when they take on the lowly Arizona Cardinals this week. The Bears need this win to stay alive, and I know what some people are saying. They are better off tanking for a better pick, but with the Panthers’ first-round pick, it is basically like the Bears are playing with house money here.
While teams often struggle with Kyler Murray’s rushing ability (and in turn James Conner as a result), the Bears have one of the better rushing defenses in the NFL season, giving up just 1,117 yards this season on the ground. That ranks number one for the least amount of rushing yards given up this season. On the other side of the coin, the Cardinals give up the second-most rushing yards this season to opposing teams, at 1,955. If the Bears can get their running backs going, that only spells good for Justin Fields’ rushing abilities, which in turn spells good for Fields’ passing abilities. If all of those can click, I think Chicago will come away with an easy win this week.
Value Pick of the Week: Chicago Bears
High Risk, High Reward Pick of the Week | Week 16 NFL Survivor Pool Picks
New York Jets vs. Washington Commanders
Now, both of these teams have been bad this year, but all things considered, the Commanders have had a really, really disappointing season. I understand that it was a sort of stay-above-water year, as Washington is obviously looking to make Eric Bieniemy its next head coach. That is probably going to have to wait three more weeks, as I don’t see Washington firing Ron Rivera before the end of the season. With that being said, having Rivera stick around is not great for a team that has no direction right now. Going against one of the best passing defenses in the NFL this week, I think Sam Howell will struggle. Not having a strong passing game is going to hinder Washington’s offense this week.
He is not playing this week, but it sounds like Aaron Rodgers is almost ready to play football again. While he won’t be on the field, I would imagine that his presence alone should be enough to rejuvenate the stagnant play that they have on offense in the past few games. Going against a Washington defense that has given up the most yards in the NFL this season, I think the Jets can certainly move the ball and score points this week.
High Risk, High Reward Pick of the Week: New York Jets
