NFL Week 3 Survivor Picks: Panthers, Two Heavy Favorites Among Top Choices

Underdogs went wild in the NFL in Week 1, but for survivor purposes Week 2 brought a much easier slate as major favorites like the Green Bay Packers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Cleveland Browns all picked up wins. 

If you trailed any of our team’s picks in Week 2, congratulations, because you’ve made it to Week 3. 

NFL Week 2 Survivor Picks

• Iain MacMillan: New England Patriots (W)
• Peter Dewey: Denver Broncos (W)
• Brian Giuffra: Green Bay Packers (W)
• Ben Heisler: Green Bay Packers (W)
• Reed Wallach: Cleveland Browns (W)

Eliminated 

• Donnavan Smoot: Lost Week 1 (Buffalo Bills) 

Looking at the odds at WynnBET Sportsbook this week, here is who we’re taking as out best survivor picks in Week 3: 

NFL Week 3 Survivor Pick: Arizona Cardinals

I don't know if I'm as sold on the Arizona Cardinals as some other people are, but this spot against the Jacksonville Jaguars seems like a no-brainer. The Jacksonville secondary is giving up 8.8 yards per pass attempt which ranks 27th in the NFL, and it's not like they've faced two powerhouse passing teams in the first two weeks. Good luck to the Jags in slowing down Kyler Murray and the Cardinals’ air attack.

Arizona ranks second in the NFL through the first two weeks in yards per game at 445. There's no signs that indicated the Jaguars will have any answers for them.

Urban Meyer doesn't know what he's doing at the NFL level, Trevor Lawrence has no help around him, it's dark days in Jacksonville. The Cardinals win this one easy. -- Iain MacMillan

NFL Week 3 Survivor Pick: Baltimore Ravens

The Detroit Lions are clearly a tough team that doesn't give up, so I might need to sweat this one out. But I think Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens re-established their identity against the Chiefs (run first, run second, run forever) and should find success on the ground against Detroit. 

The Lions give up 3.8 rushing yards per attempt (13th in the NFL) and 113.5 rushing yards per game (15th in the NFL). While that's middling, it's also because they've been gashed in the passing game, giving up over 10 yards per pass attempt (worst in NFL) and 269 yards per game (21st). Both play to the Ravens' strengths on offense. Their defense doesn't match up quite as well (Lions are good at passing, Ravens stink at defending the pass), but I think they'll create enough turnovers to get this done. -- Brian Giuffra

NFL Week 3 Survivor Pick: Carolina Panthers

The Carolina Panthers have been a surprise team this season, and Sam Darnold looks like a completely different player in Joe Brady's offense than he did with Adam Gase (who would've thought!). Carolina goes on the road on Thursday Night Football, but it will face a Houston Texans team that will start third-round rookie Davis Mills at quarterback. 

If Tyrod Taylor was healthy enough to play in this game, I might have a different pick, but the Panthers have allowed the fewest points and yards through the first two weeks of the season. I don't think a rookie quarterback on a short week to prepare is going to be able to change that trend. -- Peter Dewey

This is a nightmare scenario for the Texans, who need to get third-round pick Davis Mills up to speed on a short week against a Panthers defense that is one of the most underrated in the league. Carolina has a bunch of young talent and just limited the Saints offense to six first downs in Week 2. 

Panthers move to 3-0 and continue to build a case for making the postseason. -- Reed Wallach

NFL Week 3 Survivor Pick: Pittsburgh Steelers

The Pittsburgh Steelers have been "that team" so far in 2021. In Week 1, they go on the road and dominate the Buffalo Bills, as T.J. Watt put on a defensive clinic after signing his new deal.

In Week 2, they return home and get beat up by a Las Vegas Raiders team that won in overtime on Monday Night Football, going from west coast to east coast on a short week. For the second straight week, Derek Carr went for over 350 yards and two-plus touchdowns. Not quite the showing you'd expect from a top three projected defense in the league.

So which Steelers team can we actually anticipate will show up?

I expect to see more of the Week 1 Steelers this week versus the Cincinnati Bengals with a second straight game at Heinz Field. Big Ben is 87-30 over his career at home, and 24-8 lifetime against Cincinnati. The Steelers haven't lost two consecutive regular season games at home since 2018, and watching Joe Burrow turn the ball over on three straight plays against the Chicago Bears last week leads me to believe the Steelers could make his life even worse. -- Ben Heisler

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