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 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 your question doesn't get answered, it's possible the rankings are very clear on those choices. I've also got some family stuff going on today, but will try to get answers before the end of the day. OK, on to the games.
Browns at Steelers: Seems like only yesterday these teams were playing and one guy tried to brain another guy with his own helmet. Oh, it was 18 days ago. I'm thinking the Steelers, at home and with Rudolph benched so he can't throw up any more awful interceptions, will win a low-scoring game, but I also thought that 18 days ago, so let's not put too much stock in it. I do however like Benny Snell as the main back and am using him in a couple of leagues. And usual Cleveland starters, but on the road against a tough defense.
Giants at Packers:Apparently going to be rainy for this one. I've made the mistake recently of underestimating weather. I don't want to overestimate it, but Sunday morning I'll be checking out the pregame shows to see if anyone is building an ark outside MetLife or if it's just typical rain. Cool on the Giants offense against a credible defense, but at least there aren't that many healthy players available with Tate and Engram out. Too bad I dropped Shepard a few weeks ago and can't get him back. For Green Bay, should be a lot of Rodgers-Aaron Jones-Davante. Mostly Jones.
Eagles at Dolphins: Eagles have the matchup that's been a friend to fantasy teams all year long. I'm using Miles Sanders and would use Jeffery, Ertz, and maybe Goedert. Would consider Ajayi against his original team, worked well with Beasley. And Wentz, but that's partly because my other QBs in that (dynasty) league are Rivers and Newton and I don't really want to cut either or carry four. But I like Wentz this week. Miami, there's DeVante Parker. I'm a little worried about the Philly pass rush versus Parker. And zero interest in Dolphins running backs.
Bucs at Jaguars: Should be some offense in this game. No one is much shutting down the Bucs. And the Bucs aren't stopping anyone. Godwin, Evans; not many teams who can or should sit those guys down. Can Nick Foles take advantage of this matchup? Pretty much everyone has.
Titans at Colts: Colts D is legit, so is the Titans offense these days. I don't think anyone is sitting down Derrick Henry, but not a great situation. Ryan Tannehill, maybe A.J. Brown, usable. Would have signed off on Jonnu Smith until he wasn't even targeted last week. For the Colts, they did us a favor ruling out T.Y. Hilton. Makes Zach Pascal more viable, but most likely it will be a lot of Jonathan Williams.
Jets at Bengals: Jets are really tough on the run, so not a great matchup for Joe Mixon. Better matchup for passing, and Andy Dalton is back, so maybe Boyd-Tate-Erickson will give you something. Jets should have some good offensive numbers, I'd use Bell if I had the guy anywhere and am using Crowell (already benched Devin Singletary to use Crowder in the flex, so some pressure on the guy). Rain could be an issue in this one. Sam Darnold and Robby Anderson are viable though, Ryan Griffin too.
Washington at Panthers: Will this be the week when Dwayne Haskins gives Terry McLaurin the kind of week his talent deserves? Probably not. Carolina's offense and defense look good. Washington looks like a poorly managed and coached team that had the good fortune to select McLaurin and is otherwise a complete trainwreck. Maybe they'll give Derrius Guice a heavy workload but a committee with Adrian Peterson is more likely, because that makes a lot of sense.
49ers at Ravens: Everyone has to be interested in this game. How for real are the Ravens? How for real are the 49ers? This game should have some answers and will impact homefield advantage in both conferences. I think it will be more difficult for Baltimore than it's been to this point -- San Francisco's defense is way better than the Rams. Baltimore's isn't as good, but how often has San Francisco's offense been tested? I'm using normal starts (Kittle, Deebo, probably Emmanuel), usual amount of wariness with San Francisco running backs. Obviously Lamar and I think Andrews and Ingram, not as comfortable using Marquise Brown against a really good pass defense. It's also supposed to be raining, so conditions could affect passing. This should be the night game rather than Patriots-Texans, oh well.
Rams at Cardinals: Kyler Murray picked up a hamstring injury in practice. A concern but I'm using him as long as he's active. Less enthusiastic about the running back committee. For the Rams I'd consider Tyler Higbee with Gerald Everett out. Having faith in Jared Goff the way he's playing is tougher, but the matchup is good. Sending Cooper Kupp out with less enthusiasm than I used to. Cardinals are better against the run, but on behalf of Todd Gurley the Rams have nothing left to "save" players for; every game is a must-win so maybe Gurley gets a big workload.
Chargers at Broncos: Not sure if the Broncos are trying to create mystery in the quarterback selection or they actually have no idea what they're going to do. Either way I'm liking the Chargers defense. I think the Chargers will win this game because that's what they do, play well when they've already lost too many games to make it matter. Nothing special to add to the Weekly on this one, teams are healthy.
Raiders at Kansas City: Oakland's face-plant against the Jets last week was shocking, and now you've got Derek Carr's really ugly history against Kansas City, outlined in the Weekly. And it could be really windy. But I like Josh Jacobs in this one, and I suppose you can consider part of the LeSean McCoy-Darrel Williams committee, too bad I dropped Williams everywhere I had him. Can't keep players around forever.
Patriots at Texans: Tough spot for those of us with Deshaun Watson and DeAndre Hopkins. Patriots defense shutting down most quarterbacks. I'm assuming Hopkins will somehow get his, he's my top pick and it's a Fantasy Championship playoff game, I'm not benching him, but I'm not excited about using him. Same with Watson, and he's less likely to "get his" against this group. For New England, I've had it with James White, problem is this late in the game I don't have much choice in some league. In one I got Benny Snell. In another, I'm just hoping White is busy. Some questionable Patriots receivers, Dorsett and Sanu, I'll be following the news Sunday morning. Oh yeah, no Nick Folk.
Vikings at Seahawks: Monitoring Tyler Lockett and picked up Kyle Rudolph to use in a flex spot, but Lockett (shin) should play. As discussed in the Weekly, I don't think either defense is quite as tough as it once was, especially against the pass. So Thielen, Diggs, Lockett and DK Metcalf. And perhaps Rudolph and Jacob Hollister. We've heard conflicting stuff on the Seattle running backs -- either Carson is "our guy," or they're gonna get the hot hand of Rashaad Penny in there. I think the "safer" choice is Carson, but he's facing a tough run defense and is a miscue away from the bench. Some risk. But an important Monday night game, hopefully a good one (feels like we've had more bad than good this year).
Good luck in your games/playoff matchups, and enjoy the games.