So, a common question that comes up is how to play NFL Confidence Pool pick-em. This is a popular format to the more traditional pick-em where you just have to pick the winners each week. In the Confidence pool, you have to weight your choices more, putting even more pressure on the person playing to make decisions based on research and ultimately in some cases, their gut feelings.
NFL Confidence Pool: Quick Facts
- How it works: pick every game each week and assign each a confidence value.
- Points: rank games from the number of games that week down to 1 (up to 16).
- Scoring: a correct pick earns the points you assigned it.
- Winner: the highest points total wins that week, with a season-long leaderboard.
- Season: runs all 18 weeks of the 2026-27 NFL season plus the playoffs.
- Printable: grab our free NFL confidence pool sheet.
What is an NFL Confidence Pool?
An NFL confidence pool is a type of pick’em game where participants select the winners of each week’s NFL games and assign “confidence points” to their choices. Unlike a straight pick’em where every game is worth the same, confidence pools require you to rank your picks based on how sure you are about the outcome. Most people play in weekly confidence pools, but there are ones that run throughout the season too depending on where you are playing.
How to Setup Your NFL Confidence Pool?
Getting started is pretty straightforward.
- Choose a Platform or Template: Use online tools or printable sheets to manage entries.
- Decide on the Format: Most pools cover all games in a given week (usually 14-16 during the regular season). Decide if it’s weekly, season-long, or playoff-focused. Set entry fees if desired, and establish prizes for top finishers.
- Gather Participants: Invite players via email, social media, or in person. Aim for 10-50 people for a manageable size for your group.
- Set Deadlines: Picks must be submitted before the first game of the week kicks off, typically Thursday night.
How to Play NFL Confidence Pool Pick-Em
If you are wanting to know how to play NFL Confidence pool pick-em, the rules and scoring are pretty straight forward.
- Picking Winners: For each game, select the team you think will win.
- Assigning Confidence Points: Rank your picks with unique points from 1 up to the number of games (e.g., 1-16 for 16 games). The highest number goes to your most confident pick. You can’t reuse numbers. Once teams start having byes, the number of picks will vary between 12 and 16 each week until the teams are done having bye weeks.
- Scoring: If your pick wins, you earn the confidence points you assigned. Incorrect picks get zero. Your total for the week is the sum of points from correct picks. Over the season, cumulative scores determine the winner.
- Tiebreakers: In case of ties, use total points from the Monday Night Football game or another predetermined method.
Remember, even experts get humbled by the NFL’s chaos, so have fun above all.
2026-27 NFL Regular Season and Postseason Schedules
As move through the 2026 NFL regular season, you might want to checkout the individual schedules for the teams before you enter your weekly confidence pool. You can also get the 2026 NFL schedule grid here for all 18 weeks. For those already ready to checkout the 2026 NFL Playoff and Super Bowl bracket, we have it posted for you to use throughout the season for your projections.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is an NFL confidence pool?
An NFL confidence pool is a weekly pick-em format where you pick a winner for every game and assign each pick a confidence value. Correct picks earn the points you assigned, and the highest total wins.
How are confidence pool points scored?
You rank your picks by confidence. With 16 games you assign 16 points to your surest pick down to 1 point for your least sure, using each number once, and a correct pick earns those points.
How many points do you assign each week?
You assign points from 1 up to the number of games being played that week. Most weeks have 13 to 16 games because of bye weeks.
Where can I get a printable NFL confidence pool sheet?
You can download our free printable 2026 NFL Confidence Pool Sheet, a one-page grid you can reuse every week of the season.
