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.
Bills at Bengals: I'm not sure what the Bills are doing exactly. Reggie Bush? Percy Harvin? I mean, whatever, those guys had some good years back in the day, and the Bills have had a few receiver injuries I guess. But give me LeSean McCoy and I guess Robert Woods and Tyrod Taylor and I'll pass on the rest. I think I need to use Jeremy Hill somewhere, not happily. Watched all of Bengals-Giants and couldn't help but feel the Bengals should have won that game. There was just a lack of urgency there, maybe why they always lose in the playoffs. Fire up Green and Eifert.
Steelers at Browns: Ian made a case in the Weekly for the Browns pulling the upset. I'm not buying, and I made the Steelers my pick in my last remaining Survivor Pool. So we'll see. I just can't see the Steelers losing this game, but I guess that's the philosophy people picking Green Bay the last two weeks had, and how did that work out? In any case, I like the Steelers offense, and am not scared by their underachieving defense, should you need to use Crowell (as I do) or Barnidge or Pryor.
Ravens at Cowboys: I haven't actually watched or read Romo's statement, just excerpts. I feel bad for him, I guess, because I've seen similar things play out many times over the year with veterans I liked and respected. Whatever, I guess fantasy coaches don't care. Like Rick Grimes said, "You can't go back." I'm starting all Cowboys but do respect the Ravens D, so you never know. They seem to play to the level of competition. Not crazy about the run game, but will sign off on Steve Smith Sr.
Jaguars at Lions: Lions should win this one easily, but you never know with them. They've had a lot of kind of crazy wins, and that kind of luck runs out sometimes. Jaguars have some ability to pass the ball, albeit not exactly mistake-free. Not a big believer in either head coach here. Probably be a close game. Theo Riddick in PPR, sure, and Allen Robinson coming off a big game, but hard to get excited about the other receivers. Except for both tight ends -- they look good.
Titans at Colts: Marcus Mariota versus Andrew Luck. At times you get the idea we'll be watching this battle for the next decade, at least when Mariota is playing like he's playing right now. Both quarterbacks will also likely outlast several coaches. I pretty much like all the key offensive players in this game; Colts wideouts, DeMarco Murray, Jack Doyle and Delanie Walker, etc. Frank Gore, too, sure. Not going to be a defensive battle.
Bucs at Kansas City: No Jeremy Maclin, thank heavens, so my pickup of Tyreek Hill should (?) pay off. That's the plan, anyway. Bucs have some line injuries and Doug Martin didn't do well last week, so I'm shying away from Bucs besides Mike Evans and to a lesser extent Cameron Brate. For Kansas City, Ware and Kelce and Hill look good to me, though no promises on Hill, just cautious optimism. I'm using him over Eli Rogers and Allen Hurns in PPR, though I'm considering changing that still, we'll see.
Cardinals at Vikings: I like David Johnson (obviously) and Larry Fitzgerald in his old stomping grounds, though he's not 100 percent, and that's it. For Minnesota, Diggs and Rudolph. Not expecting a high-scoring affair and not impressed with what I've seen from Arizona on the road.
Bears at Giants: Alshon Jeffery and Jay Cutler's interest and motivation are suspended, making the Giants an excellent Survivor Pool pick I'd say. I'll sign off on Jordan Howard who may or may not have an Achilles injury, but says he's great. OK man. Cameron Meredith and Eddie Royal the main wideouts. For the Giants, Odell obviously. But Chicago's defense has been better than expected in most games and I'm not going crazy starting random Giants.
Dolphins at Rams: Dolphins have some offensive line injuries and now Todd Gurley showed up on the injury report on Friday, in advance of his one good matchup in more than a month. If you've been carried by Ajayi lately, you start him. And if you've had Gurley for this long, suffering through starting him against tough run defenses, I don't know how you sit him down now, as long as Sunday reports about his injury are OK. Maybe it's just Jeff Fisher messing with us. Otherwise, nothing to add to what the Weekly had to say.
Eagles at Seahawks: I can't see myself starting Thomas Rawls, personally. Pete Carroll's assurances on the color of the sky aren't reliable. Give me C.J. Prosise, who looked good in New England. Not overly interested in the Eagles, as I expect they'll lose. Maybe Darren Sproles and possibly Zach Ertz. Jordan Matthews is questionable with a back injury but should be good to go, though tough matchup for wide receivers.
Patriots at 49ers: No Rob Gronkowski, as expected. Am trying to reconcile the conflicting Tuesday reports of "punctured lung" and "not a major deal." I mean, punctured lung! I have no idea when or if he'll next play, but to me that doesn't sound good. Right? You don't tape up a hole in a lung and play football. In any case, I expect the Patriots to win this one, big. I will pass on Carlos Hyde, but could see Kaepernick and Vance McDonald managing some garbage numbers.
Packers at Washington: At least Aaron Rodgers isn't telling us how to spell "relax" these days. I think I'm using James Starks somewhere (please, no Christine Michael questions). Like Nelson, Cobb and Adams. For Washington, same deal: like Kelley, Cousins, Reed, Crowder and Garcon. DeSean Jackson may play, but I want to see a good game before using him.
Texans vs. Raiders in Mexico: Lots of running, I think, in this one. Latavius Murray, Lamar Miller. Cool on both passing games, as discussed in the Weekly. Don't know that I'd actually sit Amari Cooper or Michael Crabtree, but I'd think about it. DeAndre Hopkins is benched. Sorry man, it's not happening with Osweiler. Interested to see a game in Mexico, gotta be more compelling than the England ones.
Enjoy the games.