The NFL survivor pool has thinned significantly after another rough week for favorites, with the 49ers, Jets, Panthers, and Texans all falling. Week 8 features only 14 games due to four byes, offering survivor revival pools a second chance for eliminated players.
The SportsLine Projection Model, which simulates every NFL game 10,000 times, has returned more than $5,000 for $100 players on top-rated picks since its inception. Entering Week 8 of the 2026 season, the model holds a 58-51 record on top-rated picks dating back to 2024.
For the Sunday matchup between the 5-1 Kansas City Chiefs and the 5-2 Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High (4:25 p.m. ET), the model expresses low confidence in the Chiefs, who are 1.5-point favorites. Kansas City is coming off a 20-3 loss to the Seattle Seahawks, and the model projects a 47% win probability for the Chiefs. Quarterback Patrick Mahomes has completed 64.9% of his passes for 1,474 yards with nine touchdowns and four interceptions. The source also notes running back Kenneth Walker III leading the rushing attack with 120 carries for 701 yards and six touchdowns, though he was held to 36 yards on 14 carries at Seattle. Denver, the defending AFC West champions, are on a three-game winning streak led by quarterback Bo Nix, who has completed 59.2% of his passes for 1,271 yards and seven touchdowns with three interceptions.
Instead of the Chiefs, the model is confidently backing a surprising team that wins outright in well over 70% of simulations, a pick available exclusively at SportsLine.
