Every Saturday morning, I'll take a quick look at all the week's games, offering my own brief 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 lineup questions, too.
What follows is a brief look at all the games with how I'd react in my own lineups to injury developments or other news. The official rankings are the ones in the Weekly. Those are the ones that subscribers are paying for, and should take precedence. But sometimes players are very close, and in those cases I'm glad to offer opinions on how I'd approach those situations. Sometimes I like certain players more or less than Ian, and sometimes I have different risk tolerance with injuries etc.
If a guy is 20 spots higher in the rankings, that's a question you probably don't need to ask. Trust the rankings. OK, on to the games.
Texans versus Jaguars: Early start time for this (9:30 a.m. Eastern), so get your players in or out. I have a league where I need to start either Dede Westbrook or Chris Conley (should Westbrook wind up inactive). These teams have tended to play lower scoring games (including 13-12 earlier this season) but Houston's defense has lost some guys along the way, most notably J.J. Watt.
Colts at Steelers: No T.Y. Hilton, propping up Zach Pascal as the likely top target (though he's no Hilton). That's a negative for the entire Colts offense. Am wondering if this, too, might be a lower-scoring affair. James Conner is doubtful, presumably he'll be out and Jaylen Samuels is your desirable player from this game. May have to use Nyheim Hines somewhere, bench is getting a workout this week between byes and injuries. Next week there are 6 teams on bye, it's not gonna get better.
Bears at Eagles: Hard to have any confidence in Chicago's offense, but a tough matchup for the Eagles, too. So: another lower-scoring game? Not a great week thus far. Darren Sproles should return, clouding the Eagles backfield committee. Given the matchup with a tough run defense, Tarik Cohen might get a little more run than usual in this one. Eagles also should have DeSean Jackson back, complicating their receiving corps.
Jets at Dolphins: Investing in New York's offense isn't much fun, but starting players against Miami is. It's a week to use LeVeon Bell and feel good about it, and consider Robby Anderson and maybe the team's other pass catchers, and Sam Darnold even. But Chris Herndon and Demaryius Thomas are both questionable with hamstring injuries, making it difficult to use them; if nothing else you need to make sure they're actually active on Sunday morning. Miami, I'm using Mark Walton, should play plenty and be involved as a receiver.
Vikings at Kansas City: I'm assuming no Patrick Mahomes, but it's not certain. If he starts, I'm putting him in my lineup. If not, Matt Moore did well enough last week that I think he's usable. Love Dalvin Cook in this game. Adam Thielen questionable, my lean is that he'll be back in the lineup and I'd be fine using him. I might have to use Damien Williams. He ran well last week and LeSean McCoy had the costly fumble, so maybe Williams gets a little more work than otherwise. Not crazy about it but a tough week.
Titans at Panthers: Curtis Samuel is a question mark; practiced one day, not another. Ron Rivera said something about him playing but as the Cam Newton drama proves Rivera is not a reliable source for injury information. High as I was on Ryan Tannehill last week, I dropped him this week. No interest. Oh, I do love Jonnu Smith (Delanie Walker out), thank heavens I grabbed him in a TE-premium league where I lost Will Dissly, it's been a seamless transition.
Washington at Bills: Dwayne Haskins starts at quarterback, which is a real negative for Washington's passing game. I'm using Terry McLaurin because I don't have much choice, hopefully he luck into a 30-yard touchdown at some point. He's great, but he's working with a liability at quarterback right now. Bills offense has some potential, I know Washington has some credible defenders but I also think a sleepwalking quality sets in once the season is over, and Josh Allen and the ground game are usable, maybe John Brown.
Bucs at Seahawks: Was amusing when some on Twitter were speculating Josh Gordon would automatically end up with the higher teams in the waiver order like Miami. He's a talented guy but there are reasons for him to have a limited market in all the various times he's been available over the years. Seattle looks like a nice fit (won't play this week, btw) and I did grab him in a league as a possible late season option. Also grabbed Ed Dickson on the hope he becomes significant once activated, which may or may not be this week. Bucs defense pretty soft against opposing passing games. Seattle defense not so hot these days either, I like a lot of the receivers going here. No O.J. Howard, for the 2-3 people still rostering him for some reason.
Lions at Raiders: Higher-scoring game I figure with both passing games very productive. I picked up Tra Carson but he's questionable with a hamstring injury picked up in practice and I wouldn't want to use him (and am not). Raiders better against the run anyway. If Carson actually inactive, I'd consider Ty Johnson as a lead back. For the Raiders, I like pretty much every key starter.
Packers at Chargers: Kind of wish this were the night game. How many Philip Rivers versus Aaron Rodgers games do we get? I'm using Rivers and key Chargers starters. Green Bay defense hasn't been quite as tough of late, Chargers are "home." (Though the fans will no doubt skew Packer heavy.) Davante Adams should return, though the small chance he winds up inactive as me thinking people should line up an alternative just in case. Austin Ekeler looks fine, nobody needs help starting Aaron Jones.
Patriots at Ravens: Ravens have played the Patriots tough over the years. I know an upset or at least a competitive game is possible. But, can we really ignore what New England has been doing to everyone this season? I know: bad teams. But not too long ago Baltimore got dominated at home by freaking Cleveland. The Ravens have also fared best against some bad teams, too. Mark Ingram, Mark Andrews and Lamar Jackson are the interesting Ravens. For the Patriots James White popped up as questionable on the injury report Friday. Concerning for many reasons, not the least of which is this is the Sunday night game, so if you're counting on White and he winds up inactive, you don't have many games left to pick a starter from. Tough calls. Obviously Rex Burkhead looks great if White not available.
Cowboys at Giants: Dak Prescott has lit this Giants defense up his last two games against this. Past performance does not always determine future results, but certainly people should use Amari Cooper, maybe Michael Gallup. Nobody needs help with the running backs. Sterling Shepard returns, I'm using him. And Tate, Engram. Dallas offense should be very good, Giants offense tied to a young quarterback who's making plays and also absorbing sacks/turnovers etc. So some risk there, but at least they're home. And Jones has Barkley on his side.
Enjoy the games.