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.
Steelers at Bills: At a party last night I was asked who was the better Survivor Pool pick - Steelers or Cowboys (at Giants) this week. I went with Pittsburgh. Just can't buy Buffalo. Would start the usual Steelers in a game I think they'll win. Weather will be a factor, but there aren't that many receivers to seriously consider anyway. If I had to use Watkins, I would. Running backs look great because they are great. Sounds like Robert Woods will return (though no interest with Watkins back).
Chargers at Panthers: Nerve-wracking to trust the Panthers offense. The matchup is fine but will they come to play in this terribly disappointing season. I trust San Diego's offense a little bit more. Panthers will get Luke Kuechly back, though. Have to use Greg Olsen, who's been very quiet lately. Presumably Antonio Gates will get some end-zone look with the whole TE touchdown record issue.
Bengals at Browns: Both running games look good. And the Browns can't stop anyone from passing the ball, either. I'm all in on the Bengals Defense in multiple leagues. Can't trust Robert Griffin III to play well or make it through the entire game without getting injured. But Terrelle Pryor looks solid. Maybe the Browns surprise and win a game but I wouldn't bet it. Brandon LaFell and Tyler Boyd have value.
Bears at Lions: It would be so Lions to lose this game. Bears generally play them close, and the rest of Detroit's schedule is tough enough that if they blow this game, they can blow the division (and if they win, they'll almost certainly take it). Stafford, Riddick, Tate and Ebron look solid, Jordan Howard a workhorse for the Bears. Matchup good for Chicago's passing game but hard to figure which receivers will benefit. Meredith and Josh Bellamy, though Bellamy has a shoulder injury.
Texans at Colts: Made the Colts my Survivor Pool pick (yes I'm still in one of them). They're at home, their offense should move the ball well, Houston has not much of a passing game to speak of. Both running backs should be busy in this game, but the Luck-Hilton-Moncrief trio should beat the heck out of whatever Houston manages to cobble together with Brock Osweiler at quarterback.
Vikings at Jaguars: Scoring should be at a relative minimum here. I'm using Allen Robinson somewhere and hoping he comes through. Not feeling great about it but with no Hurns or Thomas, Robinson should be heavily targeted at least. For the Vikings there's Diggs and maybe Rudolph, though this could be a 17-10 type of game.
Cardinals at Dolphins: I like both defenses here, especially Miami. Larry Fitzgerald and Jarvis Landry should catch lots of passes and David Johnson and Jay Ajayi look fine. Both teams kind of in playoff contention so it's an important one for various wildcard races. Don't use John Brown, I know nothing earth-shattering there.
Washington at Eagles: Eagles have played well at home but I'm placing much more stock in Washington's general offensive play this year and the fact they rolled up huge numbers in the home game against this opponent. I like Robert Kelley, Jamison Crowder, and maybe DJax and Garcon. The tricky part is with Jordan Reed, who apparently is going to try to play through a shoulder injury. I think you have to trust him and use him, because he's capable of having a big game whenever he's on the field. As he did when playing through the injury initially. With the Eagles, Ryan Mathews and Jordan Matthews return. I like the 2-T Matthews more.
Broncos at Titans: Devontae Booker can't be trusted and neither can Justin Forsett. Both will play, split work, and do relatively little. Better matchup for the passing game, but would be nice to know that Trevor Siemian will be out there and healthy. Probably using Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas anyway. Tough situation for Tennessee passing game. Delanie Walker and DeMarco Murray is about it. Another really big game.
Jets at 49ers: And then there's this eyesore. Jets seem to have quit. 49ers just terrible, but suspect they might get a win. Normally Jets tough on run but I'd use Carlos Hyde. Matt Forte is a pro and he should be good, and I suppose the same is true of Brandon Marshall, but can we count on Bryce Petty getting him the ball? Forte and Hyde are the guys.
Seahawks at Packers: Ah, some classic tilts between these teams in recent years. I like Seattle more and expect their offense will be solid, but weather could be an issue holding scoring down. Steer clear of Green Bay running game, such as it is, and I'm not all in on Rawls, either. But I like the passing games, weather be damned. Quarterbacks, tight ends, main wideouts.
Falcons at Rams: When running backs play through injury, you can pretty much rely on them being healthy enough to play. They can't have running backs out there as decoys and whatnot. But with wide receivers it's different. So it's a little worrying to count on Julio Jones, expected to be playing through a toe injury. I like Taylor Gabriel, Jones I'd use but nervously. And of course both running backs, and Gurley and Britt.
Saints at Buccaneers: Bucs strangely the team with better playoff chances here, but I expect the Saints to win. Could be a higher-scoring one where weather shouldn't be a factor. Mark Ingram expected to play, Saints receivers look solid, Mike Evans and Cameron Brate. The running back situation uncertain for Bucs, with talk about Jacquizz Rodgers playing more. If I had Doug Martin I'd take my chances with him, not so much Rodgers (who I really wouldn't unless Martin doesn't play). Sounds like Charles Sims may be another week away. Michael Thomas questionable but for now I'm assuming he's fine.
Cowboys at Giants: Big game. I respect the Giants defense, though it will be missing Jason Pierre-Paul, and you don't want to bet against the Cowboys line and Ezekiel Elliott. Think I'd go ahead and count on the big names for both teams to have big games. It will be cold, but not Ice Bowl cold.
Ravens at Patriots: Monday night big game, Ravens have kind of played the Patriots tough for years and should do so again. Comfortable with the Ravens passing game, and also New England, most notably Julian Edelman and to a lesser extent Malcolm Mitchell. Steer clear of the running games. I'm wary of the ground games. Would like New England to lose for football reasons; just make things more interesting in the AFC if someone proves it can go in there and punch them in the mouth.
Enjoy the games.