Survivors, welcome back!
Week 1 of the 2023 NFL season is upon us, and your slate is clean. Every single team is at your disposal for those survivor pools you keep paying to enter.
Not every team can win, though.
We have 16 games on tap for the week, beginning with the Detroit Lions at Kansas City Chiefs on Thursday night, and my goal here is to give you five winners. In most survivor pools, all you need is one to move on.
Sign up for USA TODAY Sports’ NFL Survivor Pool for a chance to win $10,000.
My top pick each week will be a team I haven’t selected yet this season, so the pickings will get slim soon enough. Let’s begin.
5
Atlanta Falcons (vs. Carolina Panthers)
Todd Kirkland/Getty Images
The Falcons should be better this year — and definitely better than Carolina — so I’m picking them to win this game. But I can’t go any higher than fifth for a team I’m not completely sold on playing a division rival.
4
Jacksonville Jaguars (at Indianapolis Colts)
AP Photo/Gary McCullough
The AFC South is a weird division, which is precisely why the Jaguars aren’t higher on this list. Nevertheless, they should be able to beat the Colts and rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson.
3
Minnesota Vikings (vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers)
AP Photo/Bruce Kluckhohn
I personally believe Minnesota will be better than others do. But they don’t have to be that great to beat a Tampa team led by Baker Mayfield.
2
Washington Commanders (vs. Arizona Cardinals)
AP Photo/Daniel Kucin Jr.
This pick is less about the Commanders and more about the Cardinals, who have a really good chance to finish the season with the NFL’s worst record.
1
Baltimore Ravens (vs. Houston Texans)
AP Photo/Peter Joneleit
I don’t care how long it takes Baltimore to adjust to a new offense, they won’t lose to the Texans with a rookie head coach and rookie quarterback.
