Will Michael Penix Jr. lead the Falcons to a win in his first NFL start? Will the Bengals knock off their AFC North rivals the Browns? Read on for our NFL Week 16 Survivor Pool Predictions.
NFL Week 15 Survivor Pool Recap
My NFL Week 15 Survivor Pool recommendations were the Falcons over the Raiders on Monday Night Football, the Ravens over the hapless Giants and the Commanders over the Saints. While Atlanta and Washington turned into sweats late, all three recommendations hit.
NFL Week 16 Survivor Pool Prediction: Atlanta Falcons
If you didn’t use the Falcons on Monday night against the Raiders and still have Atlanta in your back pocket, I recommend burning them today.
First and foremost, the Falcons are a 10-point favorite against a horrendous Giants team that is “competing” for the No. 1 overall pick in April’s NFL draft. Secondly, the Falcons finally benched Kirk Cousins, who had nine interceptions to only one touchdown pass over his last four games. Why it took so long, I don’t know. But the move to rookie quarterback Michael Penix Jr. was necessary. The Falcons’ problems on offense weren’t all on Cousins. However, he significantly limited what they could do with his lack of mobility and diminished arm strength.
Finally, while it didn’t look like it two weeks ago in Minnesota, Atlanta’s defense has played better over the team’s last three games. They didn’t allow an offensive touchdown in their loss to the Chargers (Cousins threw four picks in that game), they could have easily shutout the Raiders on Monday night and they have finally discovered a pass rush.
NFL Week 16 Survivor Pool Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals
I don’t trust the Bengals as far as I can throw them, but I trust Dorian Thompson-Robinson to lead Cleveland to a road victory even less. Even against a sh*tty Cincinnati defense, I don’t see DTR being effective enough to lead Cleveland’s offense. He certainly isn’t going to out-duel Joe Burrow, I don’t care how frustrated the Cincinnati signal-caller is with his head coach.
The Bengals also have an outside shot at earning a wild card spot in the AFC. While their odds are low of reaching the postseason, the fact remains that it’s still a possibility. Thus, we should see the Bengals best effort today.
NFL Week 16 Survivor Pool Prediction: Green Bay Packers
If you haven’t used the Packers yet, congratulations, burn them in Week 16. They’re a double-digit home favorite on Monday night against the banged-up Saints. I know New Orleans gave Washington a game last week, but I can’t see Spencer Rattler leading the Saints into Lambeau Field and posting a win against a Packers team fighting for playoff positioning.