Last week we went to 3-0 again. Our two locks hit, and so did the dog as the Broncos upset the Packers. We’ve had a winner every week and are looking to keep the action going as we advance in our leagues. Let’s take a look at the Week 16 NFL Survivor picks! You’re so close to the end. Keep picking your winners and cash in!
As a reminder, I’m giving out two locks each week, in case you’ve already used the first one. I’m also giving out a contrarian dog play that I think will hit to try and give you an advantage over your league mates! Since your options are probably very thin at this point, I’ll try to throw in a pick that you likely haven’t used!
NFL Survivor Picks Week 16
Look Around the League Week 16 (All Times ET)
Thursday 8:15 PM
Rams (-1.5) @ Seahawks
Saturday
Eagles (-6.5) @ Commanders (5:00 PM)
Packers (-1.5) @ Bears (8:20 PM)
Sunday 1:00 PM
Chargers @ Cowboys (-2.5)
Vikings (-2.5) @ Giants
Bills (-10.5) @ Browns
Jets @ Saints (-4.5)
Bucs (-3) @ Panthers
Bengals (-4.5) @ Dolphins
Chiefs (-3) @ Titans
Sunday 4:05 PM
Jaguars @ Broncos (-3)
Falcons (-2.5) @ Cardinals
Sunday 4:25 PM
Steelers @ Lions (-6.5)
Raiders @ Texans (-14.5)
Sunday 8:20 PM
Patriots @ Ravens (-2.5)
Monday 8:15 PM
49ers (-6.5) @ Colts
The Lock: Houston Texans
The easiest pick for your NFL Survivor picks in Week 16 is the Houston Texans. It’s possible you have already used the Texans. However, few of their games have been this obvious. Their defense has been playing as one of the best units in the league. Now, they’ll face one of the worst teams in the league, the Raiders.
Head Coach Pete Carroll says that Geno Smith may return from injury to be the starting quarterback. It doesn’t matter if it’s Geno Smith or Kenny Pickett. This team is struggling on offense, and a lot of that is due to the offensive line. They can’t run the ball effectively, and the passing game isn’t opening up outside of Brock Bowers.
The Texans don’t just have a good defense. Nico Collins is a big play machine, and Woody Marks is running the ball effectively enough. There’s a reason the Texans are 14.5-point favorites. They should and will dominate this game. Sometimes, upsets can happen in the NFL. However, I don’t think the Raiders have the personnel to pull one off against this defense.
Another Confident Pick: New Orleans Saints
The other lock for your NFL survivor picks in Week 16 is the New Orleans Saints. The nice thing about the Saints is that you likely haven’t used them in your picks yet. Tyler Shough has been starting to blossom and play really well. He’s one of the few rookies in the last handful of years with back-to-back come-from-behind victories.
The momentum he is building on the team is starting to take over. Chris Olave is one of the better receivers in the league and continues to get open and produce. Devin Neal is doing a good enough job after taking over for the injured Alvin Kamara.
On top of that, the Saints have a very solid defense. They have yet to allow a 100-yard receiver this season. They’re the only team that hasn’t. Even more on top of that, they play a Jets team that is struggling. Brady Cook may draw the start again, but even if he doesn’t, this team already knows the season is done with and they’re looking to next year. Meanwhile, Kellen Moore and the Saints will want to continue to build momentum to send them into the offseason with a positive outlook.
An Underdog Pick: Panthers Or Pittsburgh?
Finally, let’s take a look at an underdog pick that maybe nobody else is looking at. The team I’m circling on the NFL Survivor picks in Week 16 to pull off the upset is actually a toss-up for me between the Carolina Panthers and the Pittsburgh Steelers. It’s hard to see Baker dropping yet another game. He has been disappointing and has lost two straight divisional games to the Falcons and the Saints. The same Saints that just upset the Panthers.
However, Carolina has looked like their momentum is growing, while the Bucs’ momentum has been fizzling. They’re cold, and this game is for the division. The other upset I am looking at is the Steelers on the road against the Lions. The Lions haven’t looked themselves, and the Steelers seem to be peaking nicely. They also know they have to keep their foot on the gas to make sure they ward off the Ravens for the division.
While I think both of these teams have the potential to pull off the upset, I’m going to go with the home dog, the Panthers. Bryce Young has played well, utilizing his weapons like Tet McMillan. Their run game can get going as well, and the defense has made some plays when needed.
