NFL Survivor Picks Week 2: Fading the Carolina Panthers at every opportunity

If you’re reading this, hopefully that means you didn’t pick the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 1.

While it was a tempting option to take Joe Burrow’s crew at home against the New England Patriots, it was also a trap. The Bengals have been horrible to begin the season each of the last few years. Week 1 is not the time trust Cincy, as about a third of Circa’s $14 million survivor challenge learned.

The contest had 14,266 entries at $1,000 apiece. The Bengals were picked to win in Week 1 by 4,895 of them. That’s a pretty tough hang. As for those who chose Falcons, Giants and Browns — well you learned your lesson.

Week 1 #CircaSurvivor Results
5,564 eliminated including 4,895 Bengals and 431 Falcons

8,702 of 14,266 total entries survive to Week 2

Winner-Take-All Prize: $14,266,000
Implied Value Per Entry: $1,639

Week 2 Team Availability: https://t.co/JqLKeqqVA8 pic.twitter.com/MCoSqSXdqZ

— Circa Sports (@CircaSports) September 10, 2024

All five of our panelists survived Week 1 thanks to the Seahawks, Bills and Buccaneers winning outright.

Here’s who were picking this week:

Blake Schuster: Los Angeles Chargers (at Panthers)

I don’t love taking a West Coast team playing a 1 p.m. start time out East, but given Jim Harbaugh’s ability to get his team ready to play at any time (along with his strong run-heavy offense), it’s a lot easier to trust the Chargers against a Panthers that may win, at most, four games this season.

Christian D’Andrea: New York Jets (at Titans)

Tennessee just lost a game in which its opponent failed to score an offensive touchdown. The Jets’ defense is gonna remove Will Levis from football purgatory and place him in hell.

Charles Curtis: Los Angeles Chargers (at Panthers)

WELP! West Coast team going East! DANGER DANGER! But the Chargers can’t lose to a hapless team led by Bryce Young … right?

Prince Grimes: Los Angeles Chargers (at Panthers)

I look at the Chargers’ schedule and I don’t see many more opportunities to take them where I’ll feel as good as I do against the Panthers. And I feel great about the Chargers against the Panthers.

Robert Zeglinski: Los Angeles Chargers (at Panthers)

Honestly, as long as I’m not doubling up, I might just pick which ever team is playing Carolina every week. Fading the Panthers in any capacity is the biggest layup this league has seen in a while.