Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Baker Mayfield talks with teammates on the field before the game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium.

The "pick against the Panthers" strategy worked like a gem last week. With Carolina visiting the Arizona Cardinals in Week 2, we went with the home team as our top survivor pool pick, and the Cards came through as expected -- though not before making us sweat it out a bit after blowing a 27-3 lead.

Moving along to Week 3, we're ditching the Carolina strategy for the time being as the Panthers play a divisional opponent closer to home, and we're banking on a different NFC South team to keep us alive. Only we need the Tampa Bay Buccaneers to actually win their upcoming game.

Which team is the best Survivor Pool pick for Week 3?

Pick: Buccaneers

While I believe Tampa is due for a letdown soon, I don't think it'll come in the team's home opener. Especially not against a Jets team that looked absolutely awful in last week's loss to the Bills and won't have Justin Fields for this game, as the quarterback remains out with a concussion. I'm taking Baker Mayfield and the Bucs with a lot of confidence in this matchup.

Alternatives: Bills, Chiefs, Packers, Seahawks

Previous picks

Week 1: Broncos (W)

Week 2: Cardinals (W)

This article originally appeared on For The Win: 2025 NFL survivor pool picks Week 3: Believe in Baker Mayfield

Reporting by Prince J. Grimes, For The Win / For The Win

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