The holiday season is approaching and the NFL is officially starting Saturday football. The Week 16 NFL schedule will feature a Saturday game for the first time this season. Saturday games are scheduled for the next three weeks to conclude the regular season, and next week's Christmas schedule is especially busy.
Last week was a relatively quiet week for upsets. Saints came close to shocking the managers, but other than that, there weren't too many surprises. In other words, it wasn't expected that there would be any major changes in the Survivor pool starting this week. Given this result, there were no surprises in my weekly Survivor Picks column. They made an outside shot against the Raiders to clinch the upset, but Atlanta was bad, and Las Vegas was even worse. I also want to give you credit for suggesting that Commanders-Saints is a trap game.
Now it's time for Week 16's picks. Below are my complete selections. There are many options to consider. Each week this season, we'll break down the safest picks, the most valuable picks, potential trap picks, and one upset pick if you feel like you need to play with your picks a little. Go against the direction.
safest pick
Bills surrounding the Patriots
packers beyond the saints
In the playoffs, double-digit championship favorites face brutal opponents. If I had to choose, the Saints seem to have a better chance of an upset than the Packers, but both would be popular picks in Week 16.
the most valuable choice
Falcons vs. Giants
Cardinals vs. Panthers
Rams over Jets
The Falcons looked like a potential hot pick this week, but a QB change could swing this in one of two directions. Either people think Michael Penix is an automatic upgrade over Kirk Cousins, or they just don't know it and save the Falcons for Week 18 if Penix turns out to be an upgrade. Either you decide. I expect more from the latter, but feel he could be an upgrade. Their attacks stink, and what's getting worse is what we see.
The Cardinals and Rams are both heading on the road, but they're facing very questionable teams. The Rams may be worth saving for their home game against the Seahawks in Week 18, when they will play without Geno Smith, but the Jets are pretty bad.
upset pick
cowboys vs bucks
The Bucks should win this game, but they are still a difficult team to judge. They beat the Chargers last week, but I could see them screwing up in Dallas. I'm seriously considering the Bucks as a pool to pick with confidence this week.
trap pick
colts vs titans
bengals is over browns
The Colts and Bengals need wins to stay alive in the playoff race, and they're playing bad opponents, at least in the division. However, they are still divisional opponents, and both teams are making quarterback changes heading into Week 16. I don't know if Mason Rudolph or Dorian Thompson-Robinson will make a difference, but I also don't know if they won't. Let's make a difference!
