Every Saturday morning, I'll take a quick look at all the week's games, offering my own take on what I think will happen, as well as touching on significant injury news since our Weekly came out. I'll check in every so often over the course of the day to answer questions, too.
Our official rankings and projections are in Fantasy Index Weekly. That's the content you're paying for. My goal here is to answer questions on players who are close, and on occasion I will have opinions that clash with the rankings -- sometimes I like a player a little more than Ian. Or a little less.
Last week was the uncertain injury situation week. This week, because teams are taking pity on us or got smarter, things are more clear cut. Let's go.
Washington at Bengals: Yet another England game and 9:30 a.m. start. Are all these games having the desired effect of exciting Europeans about American football? I'd like to think there's some benefit aside from giving us something to watch instead of pregame at 9:30 a.m. Eastern. No Matt Jones, so I am definitely using Robert Kelley. He was good in the preseason and can run it up the middle not much different than Jones. Chris Thompson will probably play a little more so he can be used too. Probably similar to the Jeremy Hill-Giovani Bernard split, actually. Jordan Reed is supposed to play but gotta check those early inactives just in case.
Patriots at Bills: LeSean McCoy will be inactive and Mike Gillislee will start; that's the indication, anyway. Gillislee questionable with a foot injury but should play. Not a great matchup but six teams on byes and most of us don't have a choice. Other uncertain injury guys include Martellus Bennett and Robert Woods. Julian Edelman should play. With all of these players, you'll want to confirm they're active. I'm avoiding the ones I can.
Cardinals at Panthers: Not sure what to expect in this one; as an indication I'm using both defenses in various leagues. The Cardinals have a pair of injured wideouts; John Brown and Michael Floyd may or may not play. Unfortunate the way Carolina's secondary has struggled, but both are risky. Larry Fitzgerald looks great. Greg Olsen too. Arizona plays good defense but probably need to use Kelvin Benjamin.
Jets at Browns: Ugly matchup with Ryan Fitzpatrick versus Josh McCown. Both teams have secondary issues so the key receivers are viable. Matt Forte good, Isaiah Crowell bad (matchup, anyway). Would be just like the Jets to follow up a season-saving win with a loss to a winless team.
Lions at Texans: Lamar Miller is the big question mark in this game. Gametime decision. Can't count on him (and keep in mind Bill O'Brien recently had Will Fuller active but standing on the sidelines all game). So I'm recommending against Miller unless we get more information suggesting he's perfectly fine. Lions will get Theo Riddick and Eric Ebron back.
Kansas City at Colts: No Jamaal Charles, so great week to use Spencer Ware (like every week so far). Colts get Donte Moncrief back, so he can be used, as can Jack Doyle. Have to use Jeremy Maclin myself, though I could drop him for all he's done for my team. Disappointing.
Seahawks at Saints: Was asked whether I liked the Seahawks or Titans more in a Survivor Pool. I said the Titans, it worked out. Picking against the Saints at the Superdome, counting on a banged-up Seahawks offense to deliver, just seemed risky. That said, I'd use all the key Seattle starters against this lousy defense. For New Orleans, tough matchup, but they're home and are usually money there, so hard to sit them down even against a great defense.
Raiders at Buccaneers: Not a lot of defense likely to be played in this one. Cool on Latavius Murray but I guess he'll be OK. Yes to the passing games and Jacquizz Rodgers. Long ago Super Bowl rematch, somebody get Jon Gruden and Warren Sapp to reminisce.
Chargers at Broncos: I picked the Broncos in one Survivor Pool. I don't really know why, seemed like a good idea at the time. Their defense is good, San Diego's isn't, I guess that's it. Avoiding the San Diego passing game, Denver very tough, you've probably noticed by this point. Thumbs up on Devontae Booker, obviously. Melvin Gordon too.
Packers at Falcons: You probably already know most of the players to absolutely start in this one. Regarding the Packers running backs, I have no special insight to how they'll distribute snaps between Don Jackson, Knile Davis and Ty Montgomery. Montgomery is the only one I'd use. No Tevin Coleman, so fire up Devontae Freeman eagerly.
Eagles at Cowboys: I made the Cowboys my main Survivor Pool pick. Their defense has been better than expected, they're home in primetime coming off a bye, Ezekiel Elliott should be very good, Dez Bryant returns. Lots of reasons, hopefully I'm right. I'm using Bryant. For the Eagles, just Jordan Matthews and maybe Darren Sproles in PPR.
Vikings at Bears: I like the defenses best in this game. Can't use a Bears running back with snaps uncertain. Hesitant to use Matt Asiata but think I am somewhere; would be nice if Jerick McKinnon ruled out, he's uncertain to play. Tight ends look viable for both teams, and Alshon Jeffery with a good history against this opponent. Bears in primetime way too much already this season.
Enjoy the games.