All the games equals just four, but at least a couple of them should be pretty good. If you're in one of the various playoff pools, they're all important. I'm in a couple of varying styles and approaches, and I'll talk about another that my New York residence bars me from playing in, too.
In that latter one, you pick your entire roster before the playoffs start. I won that kind of pool last year, filling my roster with Panthers and Broncos (many others had the Patriots). If I were not prevented from playing this year, my feeling would be that most would load up on Patriots. I would do the same, but hand-in-hand with that I'd try to pick players from this week who would put up the most points. Because you've got to get an advantage in Week 18 if everyone else has the same players from that point on.
In another competition, you can only use each player once. If I use LeVeon Bell this week (and I am right now), I can't use him again no matter how far the Steelers advance. I'm tempted to use Zach Zenner and Lamar Miller, saving Bell for next week. I still might. But it's a total points competition and I think Bell will put up a ton of points this week. And next week I'll have running backs available from the Cowboys, Patriots and Falcons...and whoever wins this week. Hmm. Thinking about it, might be good to save Bell.
Raiders at Texans: I love how the early game on Saturday is almost always a dog. Last year it was Kansas City at Houston, and they won 30-0. I guess a couple of years ago was a really good Kansas City-Indianapolis game. But this won't be one of those, it's gonna be an ugly 16-13 affair where I'm using guys like Miller and Fiedorowicz, who should do well this week, might lose, and if they win are probably headed to New England where they'll be largely useless. Not to keen to use any Raiders at all; Houston's defense plays pretty well at home, Connor Cook will have a hard time moving the offense (doesn't have his left tackle, plus he's a rookie making his first start). I do think Oakland might win, if only because Houston's offense shouldn't do a lot either. I have it nagging in my head that Oakland is going to sneak away with a win. I'll call it Raiders 17, Texans 16.
Lions at Seahawks: This isn't exactly a classic matchup, but it could be a good one. Matthew Stafford has some ability to sling it around, and Seattle's defense has lost some teeth lately, so maybe Detroit gets an early lead, and it ends up being a back and forth battle between a couple of gritty quarterbacks (because Seattle can't run the ball either). With no running game for either team, offense should come through the air, so I like the receivers for both sides -- Baldwin, Tate, Graham, Ebron. I'm using Ebron and Hauschka in that league where can only use players once, and will probably try all-purpose Detroit back Zenner. Detroit winning wouldn't stun me (and it would be awesome for Dallas, who would host Detroit rather than the Giants-Packers winner) but ultimately I can't bet against the Seahawks at home in the playoffs. Seahawks 24, Lions 20.
Dolphins at Steelers: Examined this one in depth for the Weekly. Maybe weather is a factor; it's going to be cold and windy. That's about the only way I can see Pittsburgh's offense being slowed down. Miami can't stop LeVeon Bell on the ground, and with Byron Maxwell out, is going to have problem covering Antonio Brown. That's a bad mix, and it's hard to see this Matt Moore-led offense keeping up. I like Jarvis Landry, and I suppose you consider Jay Ajayi, but he'll probably be the focal point of Pittsburgh's defensive effort. No Ladarius Green, most likely, which benefits Eli Rogers. Steelers 27, Dolphins 17.
Giants at Packers: The game of the week, the game of previous postseasons. Ten years later I'm still not over the Giants upsetting the Packers in the NFC Championship Game in Brett Favre's last game for Green Bay. In the final minute of regulation the Giants fumbled a punt near midfield, but the Packers couldn't grab it. Maybe they'd have lost anyway, I don't know. Still, it galls. Where was I? Packers have the better offense in this game, but Giants have the much better defense. So although I'm (currently) using Aaron Rodgers, I feel more comfortable using Giants receivers -- fewer viable targets against a secondary that will have trouble covering them. Really tough call and I can see this game coming down to the wire, with the team that has the ball last making plays to win. Or maybe it will be the Giants defense. Lot of smart people see the Packers making a run in the NFC. I think they can definitely go into Dallas and win, I'm just not as sure they'll get that win here -- they haven't seen a good defense in several weeks. I'm calling it Giants 21, Packers 17.
Enjoy the games.