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 Falcons8,702 of 14,266 total entries survive to Week 2
Winner-Take-All Prize: $14,266,000
Implied Value Per Entry: $1,639Week 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.
