Let’s cut to the chase. If you’re still alive in your Survivor pool and a winner hasn’t been determined, the stress levels are growing. Last week saw the Saints upset the Panthers, likely ending a lot of people’s Survivor chances. The Falcons upset the Bucs as well, but the Bucs had already cost most folks the week before against the Saints. Maybe the lesson is to avoid the NFC South whenever possible.
My Survivor picks column was way off on trap picks. The Texans and Bears both rolled to victory. The closest miss was listing Colts-Seahawks as a safe play. Indy almost pulled off the shocker, but Seattle managed to hold them off with a last second field goal.
On to Survivor picks for Week 16!
Safest picks
Texans over Raiders
Bills over Browns
The Texans and Bills are the two double digit favorites. In most contests, using Buffalo now probably makes some sense. But in bigger contests where you think this will go until Week 18, you should save the Bills for that home game against the Jets. It’s possible they’ll be locked out of division content by then, but I suspect the AFC East comes down to the final week.
Best value picks
Texans over Raiders
49ers over Colts
You could save the Texans for Week 18 at home against the Colts, but we know divisional games can be messy. At home against the Raiders in Week 16 is the safer play by a long shot.
Jonathan Taylor could very well gash the 49ers defense, but I think we see Philip Rivers come even further back to earth against the 49ers.
Trap picks
Lions over Steelers
Detroit still has a shot at a wild card berth, but they have work to do. I would stay away from them, especially with Pittsburgh being sufficiently dangerous to spring the road upset.
