24 Hours 'Til Sunday — Andy Richardson

The real refs are back! Thank heavens we'll finally have an end to coaches, players and fans complaining about the quality of the officiating each week. Oh I know, things will be better. I just think it's funny that so few acknowledge that a controversial call that favors the home team on the final play of a football game could have been made by the regular officials, or that pass interference could be called on most game-ending Hail Mary passes, and never is.

But hey, there should be less skirmishing between players and fewer drawn-out pauses while refs try to figure out what just happened with the pros back. Plus, didn't we all miss Mike Carey? OK, on to the games.

Panthers at Falcons: Cam Newton has been struggling. I wouldn't bench him, I think he'll work through it by just running more. Carolina will have its various running backs healthy, making it far easier not to consider any of them. Atlanta's offense should be great. I really like Newton and Steve Smith in this game, but I can only call it a hunch; Atlanta's defense has been really good so far.

Patriots at Bills: No Julian Edelman or Aaron Hernandez, so New England's other options are more appealing. I like the passing game and Stevan Ridley; I place no stock in his limited role against Baltimore's tough run defense. If I had Tashard Choice I would use him; I don't think Spiller plays at all and doubt Jackson plays much. Could be wrong, but it just seems crazy that he'd be rushed back when Choice would be a fine fill-in. Kind of a big game if you don't suspect Buffalo will fall apart by midseason.

Vikings at Lions: Shootout! Sounds like Matthew Stafford is fine, both secondaries are not. Vikings get Jerome Simpson back who has some spot-start potential in deeper leagues. I like Ponder, Harvin and Rudolph. Mikel Leshoure is questionable. I'm assuming he plays but if I were using him I'd be watching those pregame shows tomorrow. Joique Bell is the deep league fill-in you could use if Leshoure is downgraded, although he and Kevin Smith would probably both play.

Titans at Texans: Sounds bad for Kenny Britt; hasn't been practicing. It's definitely a bad situation for the Titans offense regardless. Sounds like Jared Cook is OK. In a PPR league I'd consider Kendall Wright if Britt is inactive. For the Texans, there's certainly risk in using Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson -- Houston should be able to run with ease -- but if I had Andre anywhere I'd use him any week he's healthy.

Chargers at Kansas City: No Nate Kaeding, for those reading this article for kicker advice. All 2 of you. No Peyton Hillis either, so Jamaal Charles and Shaun Draughn should both be busy. I'd grab Draughn if I could, but he's been snapped up in my various leagues. I think Ryan Mathews could be good here, and the way Kansas City's defense has played much of the year, I'd be OK with Philip Rivers, Gates and Floyd, too. Kansas City has some receiver injuries but sounds like Bowe will be fine and he's the only guy to use for most anyway.

49ers at Jets: I should point out at this point that I like the Jets, they're my local team, they're the underdog here (compared to the Giants), and I want to see them do well. But that won't happen this week. Their offense brings very little to the table in the average week and that little will be even less against the 49ers. Obviously their defense will lose something with Darrelle Revis being out, this week we should start to find out how much. I would be all over Frank Gore and especially Vernon Davis here.

Seahawks at Rams: Whatever the over-under is in this game, I would take the under. I don't think the St. Louis offense will do anything at all, and I am sure not liking what I've seen out of Seattle's offense with Russell Wilson at quarterback. The stories this week; Golden Tate having to defend the game-winning play last week, deny he pushed off, admit he pushed off -- whatever. He was trying to win a game, he didn't cut a defender's Achilles tendon or anything. Good grief. I would happily use Marshawn Lynch and that's it. Sounds bad for Steven Jackson playing, but he'll probably be out there, with Daryl Richardson playing too. I wouldn't like either one full-time in this matchup.

Dolphins at Cardinals: Sounds like Reggie Bush will play. I'd sit him if I had any functional option. Like Ryan Williams, who faces an even tougher run defense but should play almost every snap, including passing situations with LaRod Stephens-Howling out. (And of course Beanie Wells on the new-fangled version of injured reserve where he can help fantasy coaches in the playoffs -- yeah, right.)

Raiders at Broncos: Picked up Lance Ball this week just in case, but it sounds like Willis McGahee will play, so back on the scrap heap for you, Ball. No Darrius Heyward-Bey. Those who are playing should be productive; Raiders defense horrible and Broncos defense not looking so hot either. Derek Hagan is your warm body fill-in for Oakland. Starting wideouts on both teams should be quite good. Brandon Myers apparently OK, Jacob Tamme too. High-scoring methinks.

Bengals at Jaguars: Neither defense very good, so starters for Cincinnati can be used and for the Jaguars, well, there's Maurice Jones-Drew. Please don't start Blaine Gabbert just based on the matchup, which is very soft but c'mon, you don't bench a much better QB just based on that for Blaine Gabbert.

Saints at Packers: This has the look of a tight defensive struggle with lots of punts. No, just kidding. Nobody is hurt. Almost everybody should score. If you want to have Aaron Rodgers on your team, don't wait to trade for him.

Washington at Bucs: I don't know what's up with Pierre Garcon, but I know I don't expect him to play. Ryan Grant is third-string, I don't expect him to be a factor this season or he'd have had a job before Week 4. If you've got Morris, Royster is the proper handcuff. You know, for now. I like Doug Martin and both Tampa wideouts, Washington defense is quite poor.

Giants at Eagles: Hakeem Nicks is doubtful. I know there's some uncertainty as to whether it will be Hixon or Barden across from Cruz. Personally I would go with the hot hand, Barden, and think the Giants might too. But it's far more likely that Hixon probably -- probably -- starts. Philly might have problems with New York's pass rush, especially with tackle King Dunlap out. At running back, look for an Ahmad Bradshaw-Andre Brown tandem. Tough matchup, should be a good game.

Bears at Cowboys: I am not buying much of a role this week from Matt Forte, if he plays at all. I feel like it's just the Bears giving the Cowboys something extra to think about. If I had Michael Bush I'd be planning to use him, although if it's close with somebody playing Sunday, I'd use that guy, just in case Forte surprises. I am using Romo and would use Bryant/Austin. I have Witten in two leagues but have been using his old backup, Martellus Bennett, ahead of him so far, ironically enough. Here's hoping this game ends on a controversial Hail Mary, because just one week of that isn't enough.

Sorry for the later posting, technical difficulties. Feel free to post questions, I'll check in every so often to give best guesses/answers. Enjoy the games.

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