24 Hours 'Til Sunday — Andy Richardson

Everyone talks about the weather, but nobody does anything about it. Hurricane Sandy is coming, and I'm using what might be my last few hours of electricity to write this column; that's sacrifice for you. I'm not a weatherman and can't tell you who you should start or sit based on what the specific weather will be like at gametime. I'll just tell you what I'm doing with my 6 or 7 teams, and we'll go from there.

Panthers at Bears: The prices being swapped about for Cam Newton in my dynasty league this past offseason were insane. He ultimately went for Maurice Jones-Drew and two first-round draft picks. I'm not sure who got the better deal. All I can say about the Panthers is it's satisfying when people criticize GMs for their moves and turn out to be right, like the Panthers throwing huge money at DeAngelo Williams, and now benching him for Jonathan Stewart because they want one guy to get into a rhythm. What a concept! Featuring your most talented running back! Anyway, it's a terrible matchup for Carolina's offense, if you've seen the Bears defense play. I'm benching Newton for Andrew Luck without hesitation. Wouldn't want to use Stewart this week, either. Chicago's offense should be fine, albeit with more running than passing (I'd use Marshall and maybe Cutler but that's it for the passing game).

Chargers at Browns: I like Philip Rivers and think San Diego's offense should be good here. Ryan Mathews especially. For the Browns, I'd be fine with Josh Gordon. I would bench Trent Richardson. After last week, I don't think you can chance him until he gets through a game healthy. Chargers play the run pretty well, too.

Seahawks at Lions: I respect Seattle's defense, but don't think they'll be quite as good on the road. Stafford and Megatron, sure, I'd use them. I'm benching him for Griffin in one league, but I've been doing that anyway. Titus Young is hurting and I'd probably look elsewhere until the matchups get better.

Jaguars at Packers: No Greg Jennings and possibly no Jordy Nelson. If you have Nelson you want to use him; if he's active I'd probably take my chances. Either way, James Jones and Randall Cobb look great. No one knows how the Packers will use their two ineffective running backs, so I'm not about to endorse either. Green Bay's d is hurting and Rashad Jennings is all the Jaguars have, so go ahead. Maybe Cecil Shorts too.

Dolphins at Jets: I'm not sure I've ever heard a stupider war of words than was going on surrounding this game. The Jets were going to "put hot sauce on Bush"? What? Bush should apologize to Revis? Good grief. As for the game, New York's defense has played well lately so Bush is the Dolphin to reasonably consider. I absolutely wouldn't touch any Jets but Jeremy Kerley and Dustin Keller. Both Jets quarterbacks made the "overrated" poll of NFL players. Overrated by who? Not people actually watching games. This is a game that could be affected by weather. I still think short passes to Kerley and Keller are better bets than running plays by Shonn Greene.

Falcons at Eagles: Another possible weather game. I don't know about anyone else, but if I sit down Matt Ryan or Julio Jones because of weather, my options get a whole lot worse. Unless I turn on the TV (if it works) on Sunday morning and see the stadium floating off into the sea, I can't bench Ryan. You have to respect the weather and consider it, but I will be using him if things seem reasonably OK. Nice history for Maclin and Gonzalez, I'm starting them too.

Washington at Steelers: Weather may be a factor here, with wind and rain. I am using Alfred Morris anyway, and would like him even more if the weather is bad; he could have a great game in those conditions. No interest in Washington receivers, but at least Griffin III can do some running around to make him a decent option. Washington's defense is pretty soft, so I'd use Steelers passers and receivers and likely starter Jonathan Dwyer.. Weather permitting on that passing game, of course.

Patriots versus Rams across the pond: I don't care if Danny Amendola is active, I wouldn't use him. Go with Brandon Gibson. Patriots won't have Aaron Hernandez. Everyone else in this game looks healthy and usable. May be raining, but you don't bench key Patriots passers/receivers. Kind of sour on Stevan Ridley right now. Traded away Steven Jackson, thankfully. Rams using a committee against a strong run defense, no thanks.

Colts at Titans: Colts may have Donald Brown back, suggesting a committee with Vick Ballard, and I wouldn't touch them. Both defenses are bad so both passing games have value. And Chris Johnson, who I suppose I owe an apology to. Whatever.

Raiders at Kansas City: Kansas City starts Brady Quinn, which affects the tiny percentage of you in 14-team two-quarterback leagues that have to use a KC passer. I'd use Dwayne Bowe but not happily. Denarius Moore, Jamaal Charles and Darren McFadden, those are your real starters in this game. Carson Palmer too. Probably more offense than defense this game.

Giants at Cowboys: As pointed out in the Weekly, these games have tended to be high-scoring. This game makes me think of my one losing fantasy team this year, which drafted after the Cowboys-Giants season opener. I went too high on Tony Romo and too low on Victor Cruz thanks to that game. Bleh. As for this one, well, you've got a banged-up Felix Jones and a banged-up Ahmad Bradshaw; assuming they're both active, there's risk with either. Both passing games should be pretty good.

Saints at Broncos: Losing power when this slugfest is going on, that would be disappointing. If you or your opponent has anyone going in this game, may as well not pay attention to the day's games, as this is the only one that really matters. Should be pinball numbers. Uh, don't use Pierre Thomas or Mark Ingram, because the Saints don't run. I would probably not want to use Jimmy Graham. If I had a decent other option, I'd use it. Everyone else from both teams looks good. I could have picked up either Dreessen or Tamme to replace Aaron Hernandez in a league where we start 2 TEs; I went with Dreessen. More involved in the red zone.

49ers at Cardinals: I expect to possibly not have power, which has the benefit of keeping me from watching 49ers-Cardinals. Frank Gore is about the only player from either team I'd want to use here. I wouldn't bench Larry Fitzgerald, but wouldn't be optimistic about using him. Neither passing game should do much here. Cardinals probably using two running backs to minimal impact. Ooh, I love the defenses! They should be aces.

Enjoy the games.

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