Three weeks left in the Survivor Pool and the options are running out. Week 14 was a tough one, with several small spreads and matchups that weren’t necessarily the easiest ones to pick in the Survivor Pool.
Week 15 offers more opportunities as long as Survivor Pool participants haven’t used up all the good ones so far. For some Survivor Pools, they require players to pick more than one game, so I’ll give some choices other than my pick.
Here’s the week 15 Survivor Pool picks.
Teams Used: Seattle, Carolina, Miami, Washington, Baltimore (lost), New England, Green Bay, Denver, Minnesota (lost), Arizona, Pittsburgh, Buffalo, San Diego (lost) and Detroit.
Best Bet
Atlanta Falcons
There are definitely some options in this slot. Seattle jumps off the page and it would likely be a good pick. But there’s still that low-hanging fruit that Los Angeles does play the Seahawks well on a regular basis. Seattle should win, and in most weeks, that would be the safest pick.
However, I just can’t pass up the Falcons. Is there a chance that San Francisco wins this game? Usually in the NFL, there is at least some doubt in every game, except for that recent game featuring New England and Los Angeles.
This game seems about like that one. San Francisco owns by far the worst rush defense in the NFL. Did you watch them last week get gashed by Bilal Powell from the New York Jets? What do you think is going to happen when Atlanta, which averages more than 100 yards per game on the ground, matches up against that defense at home?
It’s not going to be pretty. Atlanta is by far a better team and San Francisco’s offense just can’t piece it together. There’s really no need to break down this game. Atlanta is a playoff team and San Francisco is battling for a No. 1 draft pick for a reason.
My Pick
Atlanta Falcons
See above.
Good Bets
Seattle, Buffalo, Arizona, Oakland and Dallas
Buffalo is on the anti-Cleveland train, and there’s no better team in the NFL with their backs against the wall. The Bills would be another solid best bet if it wasn’t for Atlanta facing the 49ers. Even if I wasn’t so excited about Cleveland not winning a game or the fact that Buffalo is really good when it has to have a win, the matchup still sets up nicely.
Buffalo runs the ball better than any offense in the NFL and Cleveland is a bottom-five defense against the run. Oh, and did I mention that Cleveland’s offense is terrible?
And while some may dismiss Oakland and Arizona, I believe they are in positions squaring off against teams without much left in the tank. San Diego is out of skill position players and I expect Oakland to bounce back in a big way. With Arizona, I expect them to be professionals and not let the playoff race affect them as much as New Orleans playing back-to-back road games and going across the country.
Be Careful
Green Bay, New York Giants and Baltimore Ravens
At some point, Chicago is going to win another game. It has that opportunity in week 15 against a Green Bay team that appears to be hitting its stride. But I’m not so sure I’m ready to crown the Packers just yet. The recent matchups have been in their favor, beating opposing quarterbacks who haven’t done well in cold, snowy weather.
Once again, this is a divisional game, much like last week for Chicago. The Bears will keep trying, so Green Bay should be on high alert. Also, if you’re thinking of taking the Ravens in a nice home game against Philadelphia, try to reconsider.
Baltimore is so unpredictable and the offense can be stagnant at times. That could prove disastrous against a Philadelphia team that is still competent on that side of the ball.
