The vast majority of those still in the Circa Survivor and Grandissimo contests survived quite the scare on Halloween weekend.
While there weren't many eliminations in Week 8 of the NFL season, the Cincinnati Bengals came close to knocking out more than 50% of the remaining Survivor entries and bringing an end to the Grandissimo contest.
Entering the week, there were only 660 contestants still vying for the $25-million grand prize in the Survivor contest, and three alive for the $7.7-million jackpot in Grandissimo.
- Bengals survive OT scare as most popular pick in both contests.
- Cowboys’ loss to Cardinals eliminates 49 entries.
- 610 contestants have advanced to Week 9 in the Survivor pool.
The Bengals fell behind 13-0 to a one-win Tennessee Titans team after the first quarter. Cincinnati managed a 14-13 lead at halftime, but trailed by scores of 28-23 and 36-29 in the fourth quarter, before forcing overtime.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow scored on a nine-yard scamper in the extra frame, and the Cincy defense held on to cement the 43-36 victory.
The Bengals were the most popular pick of the week. An upset by the Titans would have eliminated more than half of the remaining Survivor field, as 350 of 660 entries this week were on the Bengals.
#CircaSurvivor 2026 🏈🏆 Week 8 Selections 📄: https://t.co/nSjhlSB1PG https://t.co/1diHVBdUlz
— Circa Sports (@CircaSports) November 1, 2026
On top of that, all three entries remaining in the Circa Sports Grandissimo had their lives on the line with the Bengals.
#CircaGrandissimo 2026 🏈🏆 Week 8 Selections 📄: https://t.co/8RGBNjGSck https://t.co/T703Q1AmBv
— Circa Sports (@CircaSports) November 1, 2026
The three remaining Grandissimo contestants – DEGENCHAT-2, JIMMYSHIVEOVERLY-1, AND TWEENTHEHEDGES-1 – will advance to Week 9.
How 'bout them Cowboys?
The biggest blow to the remaining field came to those who selected the Dallas Cowboys this week. Despite being -7.5 home favorites, the Cowboys were upset in overtime by the Arizona Cardinals.
It looked like it would be smooth sailing for the 49 participants on the Cowboys after Dallas took a 24-10 lead early in the fourth quarter. However, Arizona stormed back and – trailing 30-24 – scored a touchdown with six seconds left in regulation.
Even though the Cardinals missed the extra point to keep the game tied, the Cardinals came away with the win in overtime on a 42-yard field goal.
Dallas was the fifth-most selected team, knocking out 7.4% of the remaining field. The four teams ahead of them were victorious. The Bengals, Jacksonville Jaguars, and New England Patriots, all won to advance 459 total entries. The only other losing selection was one pick of the New York Jets.
The Washington Commanders were the second-most selected team of the week with 81 entries, or 12.3% of the contest, riding on the 1-4-1 club. They took care of the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday Night Football.
With no selections on the Monday night game, 610 contestants have advanced to Week 9 in the Survivor pool. Just 2.4% of the original 25,017 field is still alive.
