How does the FSN NFL rooting guide work?

FSN measures how each other game in the current week changes a team’s simulated playoff, division, No. 1 seed and Super Bowl outcomes, then ranks the results that help most.

Why is my team’s own game not included?

Winning your own game is already the most direct way to improve your position. The rooting guide focuses on the other games fans should care about.

Do NFL rooting interests change every week?

Yes. Rooting interests rebuild with the FSN season forecast as standings, tiebreak paths and game probabilities change. Weekly snapshots preserve the pre-week picture.

2026 NFL · WEEK 3 · FSN-ROOT-1.0

NFL Week 3 Rooting Guide: Who Should Every Team Root For?

Pick your team for Week 3. FSN ranks every other unplayed game by how much each result helps your playoff path—using the same 5,000 full-season simulations behind the Playoff Predictor.

Playoff Control Center →Playoff Predictor →Game Simulator →

PICK YOUR TEAM

Who should you root for in Week 3?

Team

WEEK 3 ROOTING INTERESTS

Carolina Panthers fans: here’s who to root for

Your own game is excluded. Winning that one is still the best possible rooting strategy.

Current playoff odds51.0%9 meaningful outside-game impacts

Huge impact Sun 4:25 PM ET

LVLas Vegas Raiders @ NONew Orleans Saints

ROOT FOR Las Vegas Raiders over New Orleans Saints

+6.0 pts Playoff odds for Carolina Panthers in the preferred-result branch

See the simulation impact

If Las Vegas Raiders wins54.8%Playoff odds

If New Orleans Saints wins48.8%Playoff odds

Playoffs54.8%vs48.8%

Division47.8%vs39.4%

#1 seed1.6%vs1.4%

Reach SB2.2%vs2.0%

Win SB0.6%vs0.4%

High impact Sun 4:05 PM ET

MINMinnesota Vikings @ TBTampa Bay Buccaneers

ROOT FOR Minnesota Vikings over Tampa Bay Buccaneers

+4.4 pts Playoff odds for Carolina Panthers in the preferred-result branch

See the simulation impact

If Minnesota Vikings wins52.9%Playoff odds

If Tampa Bay Buccaneers wins48.5%Playoff odds

Playoffs52.9%vs48.5%

Division45.1%vs39.1%

#1 seed1.5%vs1.4%

Reach SB1.9%vs2.3%

Win SB0.6%vs0.4%

High impact Sun 1:00 PM ET

NENew England Patriots @ JAXJacksonville Jaguars

ROOT FOR New England Patriots over Jacksonville Jaguars

+4.1 pts Playoff odds for Carolina Panthers in the preferred-result branch

See the simulation impact

If New England Patriots wins53.5%Playoff odds

If Jacksonville Jaguars wins49.4%Playoff odds

Playoffs53.5%vs49.4%

Division44.4%vs41.3%

#1 seed1.7%vs1.3%

Reach SB2.4%vs1.8%

Win SB0.5%vs0.5%

High impact Sun 1:00 PM ET

SEASeattle Seahawks @ WASWashington Commanders

ROOT FOR Seattle Seahawks over Washington Commanders

+2.8 pts Playoff odds for Carolina Panthers in the preferred-result branch

See the simulation impact

If Seattle Seahawks wins51.7%Playoff odds

If Washington Commanders wins48.9%Playoff odds

Playoffs51.7%vs48.9%

Division43.2%vs40.5%

#1 seed1.3%vs2.0%

Reach SB2.2%vs1.7%

Win SB0.5%vs0.5%

High impact Thu 8:15 PM ET

ATLAtlanta Falcons @ GBGreen Bay Packers

ROOT FOR Atlanta Falcons over Green Bay Packers

+3.4 pts Playoff odds for Carolina Panthers in the preferred-result branch

See the simulation impact

If Atlanta Falcons wins53.2%Playoff odds

If Green Bay Packers wins49.9%Playoff odds

Playoffs53.2%vs49.9%

Division43.7%vs41.9%

#1 seed1.2%vs1.6%

Reach SB2.1%vs2.1%

Win SB0.5%vs0.5%

High impact Sun 1:00 PM ET

NYJNew York Jets @ DETDetroit Lions

ROOT FOR Detroit Lions over New York Jets

+2.6 pts Division odds for Carolina Panthers in the preferred-result branch

See the simulation impact

If Detroit Lions wins43.2%Division odds

If New York Jets wins40.6%Division odds

Playoffs51.4%vs49.8%

Division43.2%vs40.6%

#1 seed1.5%vs1.6%

Reach SB2.0%vs2.3%

Win SB0.4%vs0.7%

Meaningful impact Mon 8:15 PM ET

PHIPhiladelphia Eagles @ CHIChicago Bears

ROOT FOR Philadelphia Eagles over Chicago Bears

+2.1 pts Playoff odds for Carolina Panthers in the preferred-result branch

See the simulation impact

If Philadelphia Eagles wins52.1%Playoff odds

If Chicago Bears wins50.0%Playoff odds

Playoffs52.1%vs50.0%

Division43.4%vs41.7%

#1 seed1.4%vs1.5%

Reach SB2.0%vs2.2%

Win SB0.6%vs0.4%

Meaningful impact small model edge Sun 4:25 PM ET

BALBaltimore Ravens @ DALDallas Cowboys

ROOT FOR Dallas Cowboys over Baltimore Ravens

+1.1 pts Division odds for Carolina Panthers in the preferred-result branch

See the simulation impact

If Dallas Cowboys wins43.1%Division odds

If Baltimore Ravens wins42.0%Division odds

Playoffs51.2%vs50.8%

Division43.1%vs42.0%

#1 seed1.3%vs1.6%

Reach SB1.9%vs2.2%

Win SB0.5%vs0.5%

Meaningful impact small model edge Sun 8:20 PM ET

LARLos Angeles Rams @ DENDenver Broncos

ROOT FOR Los Angeles Rams over Denver Broncos

+1.4 pts Division odds for Carolina Panthers in the preferred-result branch

See the simulation impact

If Los Angeles Rams wins43.1%Division odds

If Denver Broncos wins41.7%Division odds

Playoffs50.9%vs51.2%

Division43.1%vs41.7%

#1 seed1.5%vs1.4%

Reach SB2.2%vs1.9%

Win SB0.4%vs0.6%

Small edge small model edge Sun 1:00 PM ET

KCKansas City Chiefs @ MIAMiami Dolphins

ROOT FOR Kansas City Chiefs over Miami Dolphins

+0.7 pts Playoff odds for Carolina Panthers in the preferred-result branch

See the simulation impact

If Kansas City Chiefs wins51.2%Playoff odds

If Miami Dolphins wins50.5%Playoff odds

Playoffs51.2%vs50.5%

Division42.6%vs42.1%

#1 seed1.6%vs1.3%

Reach SB2.1%vs2.0%

Win SB0.5%vs0.4%

Small edge small model edge Sun 1:00 PM ET

CINCincinnati Bengals @ PITPittsburgh Steelers

ROOT FOR Cincinnati Bengals over Pittsburgh Steelers

+0.9 pts Playoff odds for Carolina Panthers in the preferred-result branch

See the simulation impact

If Cincinnati Bengals wins51.4%Playoff odds

If Pittsburgh Steelers wins50.5%Playoff odds

Playoffs51.4%vs50.5%

Division42.5%vs42.5%

#1 seed1.3%vs1.7%

Reach SB2.3%vs1.8%

Win SB0.6%vs0.4%

Small edge small model edge Sun 1:00 PM ET

LACLos Angeles Chargers @ BUFBuffalo Bills

ROOT FOR Buffalo Bills over Los Angeles Chargers

+0.8 pts Division odds for Carolina Panthers in the preferred-result branch

See the simulation impact

If Buffalo Bills wins42.6%Division odds

If Los Angeles Chargers wins41.9%Division odds

Playoffs51.0%vs51.0%

Division42.6%vs41.9%

#1 seed1.5%vs1.6%

Reach SB2.0%vs2.3%

Win SB0.5%vs0.5%

Small edge Sun 1:00 PM ET

TENTennessee Titans @ NYGNew York Giants

ROOT FOR New York Giants over Tennessee Titans

+0.7 pts Super Bowl trip odds for Carolina Panthers in the preferred-result branch

See the simulation impact

If New York Giants wins2.3%Super Bowl trip odds

If Tennessee Titans wins1.7%Super Bowl trip odds

Playoffs51.0%vs51.0%

Division42.5%vs42.5%

#1 seed1.3%vs1.8%

Reach SB2.3%vs1.7%

Win SB0.6%vs0.4%

Minimal impact small model edge Sun 1:00 PM ET

HOUHouston Texans @ INDIndianapolis Colts

ROOT FOR Houston Texans over Indianapolis Colts

+0.5 pts Super Bowl trip odds for Carolina Panthers in the preferred-result branch

See the simulation impact

If Houston Texans wins2.3%Super Bowl trip odds

If Indianapolis Colts wins1.8%Super Bowl trip odds

Playoffs51.0%vs51.0%

Division42.5%vs42.5%

#1 seed1.5%vs1.4%

Reach SB2.3%vs1.8%

Win SB0.5%vs0.5%

Minimal impact small model edge Sun 4:05 PM ET

ARIArizona Cardinals @ SFSan Francisco 49ers

ROOT FOR San Francisco 49ers over Arizona Cardinals

+0.4 pts Division odds for Carolina Panthers in the preferred-result branch

See the simulation impact

If San Francisco 49ers wins42.6%Division odds

If Arizona Cardinals wins42.2%Division odds

Playoffs50.9%vs51.2%

Division42.6%vs42.2%

#1 seed1.4%vs1.6%

Reach SB2.1%vs2.0%

Win SB0.5%vs0.5%

ALL 32 TEAMS

Top rooting interest at a glance

This server-rendered table gives every fan base’s strongest current outside-game rooting interest. Use the picker above for the full slate.

TeamRoot forAgainstImpact

ARIArizona Cardinals Tampa Bay BuccaneersMinnesota Vikings+1.3 ptsPlayoff odds ATLAtlanta Falcons Baltimore RavensDallas Cowboys+0.6 ptsPlayoff odds BALBaltimore Ravens Pittsburgh SteelersCincinnati Bengals+8.7 ptsDivision odds BUFBuffalo Bills Jacksonville JaguarsNew England Patriots+7.7 ptsDivision odds CARCarolina Panthers Las Vegas RaidersNew Orleans Saints+6.0 ptsPlayoff odds CHIChicago Bears Denver BroncosLos Angeles Rams+3.3 ptsPlayoff odds CINCincinnati Bengals Dallas CowboysBaltimore Ravens+10.9 ptsDivision odds CLECleveland Browns Los Angeles ChargersBuffalo Bills+3.5 ptsPlayoff odds DALDallas Cowboys Chicago BearsPhiladelphia Eagles+6.3 ptsDivision odds DENDenver Broncos Miami DolphinsKansas City Chiefs+6.2 ptsDivision odds DETDetroit Lions Tampa Bay BuccaneersMinnesota Vikings+6.3 ptsDivision odds GBGreen Bay Packers New York JetsDetroit Lions+2.8 ptsPlayoff odds HOUHouston Texans New England PatriotsJacksonville Jaguars+5.4 ptsDivision odds INDIndianapolis Colts Los Angeles RamsDenver Broncos+3.2 ptsPlayoff odds JAXJacksonville Jaguars Indianapolis ColtsHouston Texans+4.4 ptsDivision odds KCKansas City Chiefs Los Angeles RamsDenver Broncos+6.3 ptsDivision odds LVLas Vegas Raiders Dallas CowboysBaltimore Ravens+3.3 ptsPlayoff odds LACLos Angeles Chargers Washington CommandersSeattle Seahawks+0.6 ptsPlayoff odds LARLos Angeles Rams Arizona CardinalsSan Francisco 49ers+3.4 ptsDivision odds MIAMiami Dolphins Indianapolis ColtsHouston Texans+0.6 ptsPlayoff odds MINMinnesota Vikings New York JetsDetroit Lions+6.4 ptsDivision odds NENew England Patriots Los Angeles ChargersBuffalo Bills+9.7 ptsDivision odds NONew Orleans Saints Cleveland BrownsCarolina Panthers+8.8 ptsDivision odds NYGNew York Giants Cincinnati BengalsPittsburgh Steelers+2.3 ptsPlayoff odds NYJNew York Jets Atlanta FalconsGreen Bay Packers+1.4 ptsPlayoff odds PHIPhiladelphia Eagles Tennessee TitansNew York Giants+6.9 ptsDivision odds PITPittsburgh Steelers Kansas City ChiefsMiami Dolphins+2.2 ptsPlayoff odds SFSan Francisco 49ers Washington CommandersSeattle Seahawks+10.3 ptsDivision odds SEASeattle Seahawks Arizona CardinalsSan Francisco 49ers+9.9 ptsDivision odds TBTampa Bay Buccaneers Cleveland BrownsCarolina Panthers+3.4 ptsPlayoff odds TENTennessee Titans Miami DolphinsKansas City Chiefs+1.1 ptsPlayoff odds WASWashington Commanders Jacksonville JaguarsNew England Patriots+1.4 ptsPlayoff odds

WEEKLY ARCHIVE

Rooting guides change as the playoff picture changes

Saved weekly checkpoints let fans revisit what helped their team at that point in the season.

Week 1 →Week 2 →Week 3 →Week 4 →Week 5 →Week 6 →

WHY THIS IS DIFFERENT

It measures the impact instead of guessing at rooting interests

For each unplayed Week 3 game, FSN looks at the season simulations where the away team won and the simulations where the home team won. Then it compares what happened to every other team’s playoff path.

The ranking gives playoff qualification the most weight for bubble teams. For strong contenders, division and No. 1 seed leverage becomes more important. Super Bowl paths remain a smaller secondary signal so the guide does not tell a 5–8 team to root for an exotic championship path instead of the result that actually helps it reach January.

Because these are Monte Carlo estimates, very small differences can move from refresh to refresh. FSN explicitly labels those as small or minimal rather than pretending a tenth of a percentage point is destiny.

FAQ

NFL rooting interests, explained

Why isn’t my team’s own game listed?

Because winning your own game is already the strongest direct way to improve your position. This tool answers the harder question: what should you want to happen everywhere else?

Does “+4.7 points” mean the result guarantees my playoff odds rise by exactly 4.7 points?

No. It is the difference between two conditional Monte Carlo branches in the current forecast. It is a useful estimate of leverage, not a guaranteed future update.

Will the rooting guide update after games are played?

Yes. The live guide follows the current unplayed slate. Weekly archive pages preserve the checkpoint from that week so later results do not rewrite what fans were supposed to root for beforehand.