Fantasy Index

24 Hours 'Til Sunday

Snapshot previews of all the games

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'm not going to disregard all our research to recommend somebody 15 spots below somebody else. Fair? OK, on to the games.

Jaguars at Titans: A.J. Brown is out, just one of the many big-name wide receivers hurt very early on. Kind of think it has something to do with the lack of a preseason and shortened workout schedules, lots of guys getting soft-tissue injuries and whatnot. Anyway, Corey Davis is viable and Derrick Henry looks great. Tennessee's defense is pretty good so I'm cool on James Robinson, but not such a shutdown group that I'd be afraid to use Minshew and Chark, both ranked favorably.

Panthers at Bucs: Chris Godwin is doubtful while in the concussion protocol. I recall watching the hit live and saying, uh oh. Unfortunate, because it's a really nice matchup. Should be a higher-scoring game and I'd use the usual players. I steered clear of the Bucs backfield so I don't need to think about that, but for those who ask, I think it's too soon to try Leonard Fournette. Nice matchup for Ronald Jones, if he's left in the lead role for another week. Tom Brady, sure.

Broncos at Steelers: It happened in the wee hours of the morning here on the East Coast, so perhaps everyone doesn't realize how badly Denver blew their game against the Titans last week. They blew it: goal-line struggles, poor use and non-use of timeouts, bad execution, etc. And now they go on the road to face one of the league's best defenses. Not good. Phillip Lindsday is out, Courtland Sutton is a gametime decision. I have no insight beyond tread carefully with Sutton. He at least got in limited practices all week, so decent chance he plays. I prefer healthier options if I've got comparable ones. And Denver won't score a ton here. If you picked up Benny Snell this week, well, I wouldn't use him. Hopefully you didn't draft James Conner and don't need to start him only to watch him limp off the field a dozen plays in.

Rams at Eagles: Seems like key skill guys on both sides are healthy, including Miles Sanders, who I'm using. I think both defenses have some ability in the front seven in particular, so I'm not expecting a wild shootout. But I'm using the main tight ends (all three of them), Sanders, Malcolm Brown. Important game for Philadelphia after collapsing against Washington.

49ers at Jets: Well the Jets don't have Jamison Crowder or LeVeon Bell. That reduces their starting options in typical leagues to Chris Herndon. Moving on, George Kittle is out for the 49ers, and of course no Deebo. Brandon Aiyuk will reportedly play but I'm not bold enough to start him. I am, however, bold enough to try Jordan Reed, who I picked up in my TE-premium FFPC league. Somebody has to catch passes and Reed is healthy at the moment. Raheem Mostert is the Niners back of choice.

Bills at Dolphins: DeVante Parker is a gametime decision. I think he'll probably play, but the inactives will need to be checked, and it's another tough secondary he'll face. A pair of committee backfields. John Brown was the best Bills receiver last week, maybe it will be Stefon Diggs this week.

Vikings at Colts: No Jack Doyle, so Mo Alie-Cox is your desperation fill-in. I'd like him more if Philip Rivers had thrown much to Doyle. I'll take Jordan Reed over him for desperation TE fill-ins. Couple of viable running backs it seems for both teams. One of these teams will start out 0-2.

Lions at Packers: No Kenny Golladay again. Lions might still be smarting over a tough Week 1 loss. Looks like Adrian Peterson the main runner (why did Washington cut him?) and D'Andre Swift as the main receiving back. I'm using Marvin Jones somewhere and the usual key Packers, all three of them. Would need to see more out of MVS.

Falcons at Cowboys: Should be a higher-scoring game, use your key Falcons and Cowboys. Julio Jones and Amari Cooper aren't 100 percent but they're playing and I don't think can be reasonably benched.

Giants at Bears: Ugly game turned in by the Giants at Pittsburgh. They're better than that, I think, and the Bears were lucky to get by the Lions. I'd use the key starters (including David Montgomery), but the problem with the Giants passing game is I think different guys will have big games at different times. Maybe they get Saquon Barkley going, Adrian Peterson ran on this defense last week.

A Football Team at Cardinals: Both teams come off resounding upsets. I think Washington's defense is legit so am mildly cool on the Cardinals. I'm using Murray-Drake-Hopkins, but that's as far as I'd go. For Washington, matchup OK for Terry McLaurin and yet another TE dart throw in Logan Thomas against the league's worst TE defense a year ago. If you want to start a Washington running back...well, I wouldn't.

Kansas City at Chargers: I saw a comment about the Browns-Bengals game noting that Cincinnati's defense sure didn't say a lot for the Chargers offense in Week 1. Indeed. You start your KC guys and then Austin Ekeler and maybe Joshua Kelley, because Kansas City looked really weak against the run in their opener. Chargers will probably have to open the offense up a little but hard to get behind the Tyrod Taylor passing game.

Ravens at Texans: That's some season-opening schedule for the Texans: Kansas City, Baltimore, Pittsburgh. I officially want nothing to do with the Ravens backfield, too bad my drafts are over and I'm stuck with Mark Ingram in an important league. Thumbs up on regular Ravens, Deshaun Watson, David Johnson and Will Fuller.

Patriots at Seahawks: Did the league know Cam Newton would be with the Patriots when they scheduled this one in primetime? Because it would look awfully sucky if Jarrett Stidham was starting. Interesting matchup with New England's secondary being the strength of their defense and Russell Wilson-Tyler Lockett-DK Metcalf being the strength of Seattle. I'll mostly steer clear of New England's committee backfield; James White in PPR okay. Should be a good game.

Saints at Vegas, Baby: We go from Michael Thomas being out multiple weeks to some chatter he'll try to play in this one. Not happening, not in my lineup no matter what. Henry Ruggs iffy for the Raiders, also best avoided though he played through the injury some of last week. Both tight ends, both running backs, and Emmanuel Sanders look like the desirable starts, and both quarterbacks are viable if not top-10 guys.

Enjoy the games.

--Andy Richardson

36 Reader Comments:

Wally Simon

Ridgefield, CT
2020-09-19T13:35:58Z
Thanks for these insights. Been a fantasy index user since 1989. I’m gonna argue against my self-interest and say these snapshot previews is something I’d pay for.

Ed Gallagher

Lancaster, PA
2020-09-19T13:58:35Z
Morning Andy, great advice with Crowder last week, thanks for that, nailed it! Who do u like as a ppr flex this week, Parris Campbell or Cory Davis? Thanks

Ray Sala

Roseville, CA
2020-09-19T14:02:20Z
E. Sanders or R. Jones in PPR.
Also I have two running back groups on my roster besides Jacobs in (Fournette/Jones) and (Singletary/Moss) and I don’t trust either one at the moment. Our league is unique in that we only need to start one RB, one WR, and one TE, we can fill in the other 3 spots with any combo of RB/WR/TE.

L.B. Graham

Ballwin, MO
2020-09-19T14:08:16Z
Hey Andy, would you play McLaurin or Lockett this week? Better QB for Lockett, but also playing against a much better secondary.

KW Song

Pittsburgh, PA
2020-09-19T14:28:48Z
Hey Andy, Rodgers or Cam? Metcalf, Marvin Jones or Montgomery PPR? Thanks.

Mark Dresser

Arcadia, CA
2020-09-19T14:38:27Z
Good morning Andy-- Thanks as always for doing all the work and analysis you do. We all appreciate it! Just wanted to get your gut feeling on a flex start. My RBs are CEH and David Johnson, and my WRs are Ridley and Fuller. I can either use Parris Campbell or Watkins as a WR3, or Hines as a flex RB. I used the custom rankings to see their weekly projections based on how my league scores points, and they are all within a point of each other. Our league heavily favors TDs with some minor yardage bonuses. Which one of those 3 players would you use?

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2020-09-19T14:38:28Z
I don’t see us putting site columns behind a pay wall. Thanks. We like Sanders a lot. Lockett over McLaurin slightly but both in top 20 so...Campbell slightly higher in rankings, I’m using Davis where I have him with Brown out. Moss the only one of those four backs I like at all.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2020-09-19T14:40:56Z
Actually sorry, I do like Jones given his matchup. Not over Sanders, but over the Buff backs.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2020-09-19T15:01:03Z
I know Rodgers comes off a big game but I’d be playing cam until he gave me a reason not to.

Mark I like Hines for the guaranteed touches.

KW, they’re all close. I think on my team I’d be using Montgomery, again for the safer touches that a running back gets, but it’s only a slight preference.

Mark Dresser

Arcadia, CA
2020-09-19T15:15:53Z
Thanks Andy! I was leaning Hines too for the same reason. I hope all your teams do well this week!

KW Song

Pittsburgh, PA
2020-09-19T15:18:19Z
Thanks, Andy. Good stuff.

John Evans

Jacksonville, FL
2020-09-19T15:24:41Z
Are the Panthers a tough matchup? I think that the matchup is pretty appealing. I wouldn’t look at the Saints hame as discouragement...they’ve been a top 5 run defense for the past few years. Jones should have much more run to run against the Panthers than the Saints. Sanders is easily the best Saints WR right now and I agree that he should be a pretty good play...but I’d be pretty confident starting Jones as well.

Darren Castillo

Placentia, CA
2020-09-19T15:40:24Z
Hello Andy. Always appreciate your work. DK Metcalf or Robert Woods? Non ppr. Less than a point difference in my rankings. I'm hearing Gilmore will get Metcalf. Woods just got paid. Thanks for your time. Have a great weekend!!

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2020-09-19T15:41:46Z
Yeah John I amended my answer. I do love the matchup with Carolina.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2020-09-19T15:43:41Z
Woods

Pasquale DiGiulio

Philadelphia, PA
2020-09-19T16:03:28Z
Melvin Gordon metcalf or swift ppr.
Need 2 as Godwin and golladay r hurt

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2020-09-19T16:11:23Z
Rankings clear on those three

Darren Castillo

Placentia, CA
2020-09-19T16:11:35Z
Thank you.

Bill Rounds

Anchorage, AK
2020-09-19T17:01:50Z
Maybe splitting hairs, but Goedert or Hockenson in .5 ppr.

Jeff Zwiers

Bellingham, WA
2020-09-19T17:31:09Z
Crowder out, Sutton really hurting so don't really want to play in a 4-player Keeper League. Have Renfrow but thinking of picking up Quintez Cephus or Tre'Quan Smith to play this week and upcoming weeks if necessary. Leaning Cephus actually.... thoughts? Fitzgerald, Amendola and Steven Sims available too.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2020-09-19T17:42:02Z
Bill to me Goedert is an automatic start. Hockenson slightly higher in rankings but could flip a coin. Jeff I had to dig down the rankings for your best option from those choices (Fitz). We don’t view Smith or Cephus as viable. Starters doesn’t mean they’ll be higher than 4th for targets.

Fred Wright

New Palestine, IN
2020-09-19T20:36:41Z
Andy which of these 2 RBs would you start in a 0.5 PPR league. In my customized ratings, they are rated with the same potential points rating of 9.2. Who do you like? Thanks for the help.

John Evans

Jacksonville, FL
2020-09-19T20:52:34Z
Have have Ertz and Goedert. How close are you to starting Goedert over Ertz? Also, should you play Goedert over Diontae Johnson, DJ Moore, or Snell inPPR this week?

RON SAYER

Salem, OR
2020-09-19T21:01:12Z
Need to start 2 of the 3: David Montgomery, Calvin Ridley, Tyler Lockett.
Standard scoring, with higher yardage thresholds TDs more valuable. Also have Julio, but I don’t mind the Julio/Ridley combo at all.

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2020-09-19T21:47:53Z
Fred I need a little more info there.

John I’m not there yet. Moore probably the choice this week. I don’t use Snell until Steelers say he’s the guy.

Ron tough one. We like all of them. I would go with the rankings. Or your gut.

Adam Bjork

Waunakee, WI
2020-09-19T21:58:28Z
Injury bug. 4 of my keepers qualify for IR AJ Brown, Michael Thomas, Debo Samuel and Damien Harris. We got two IR spots so I could drop Harris move a guy to IR and pickup Corey Davis. I also have Sony Michel so kinda want to keep both to see how it plays out. My only two WRs I have available to start are Metcalf and Lazard. Its .5 PPR and start two WR. Is Davis a must add or do I just hang with what I got?

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2020-09-19T22:06:41Z
Adam I don’t know. With Brown out I like Davis more than Lazard. I’m not sure if I like him more over the next month but I don’t view Lazard as a must-hold. Even in the ReDrafter (before we knew Brown was hurt) they were close. I have Harris in a couple leagues. I’m holding him for now but realistically we know counting on New England to feature someone is a long shot.

Eric Pryne

Vashon, WA
2020-09-20T03:41:46Z
Hilton or J Cook? TD-heavy scoring.

jim toon

2020-09-20T13:43:49Z
Watson or Ryan?

John Sokolosky

Wilburton, OK
2020-09-20T13:50:24Z
Blackout this year?, Open Scoring?, & Thanks again for your help!!!

Russ Neis

Eagan, MN
2020-09-20T14:10:25Z
Which WR you prefer Lions M. Jones or McLaurin .5 ppr ?

Fred Wright

New Palestine, IN
2020-09-20T15:09:38Z
R Mostert or N Hines? Andy which of these 2 RBs would you start in a 0.5 PPR league. In my customized ratings, they are rated with the same potential points rating of 9.2. Who do you like? Thanks for the help and sorry for leaving out the names!

Richard Weber

Fort Myers, FL
2020-09-20T15:16:34Z
If Sutton can't go, I need a WR. I could go with Harry, Edwards or Beasley, or pick up TreQuan Smith or Cephus. I'm leaning toward adding Smith or Cephus and dropping Jeffrey. I might even consider someone even if Sutton can go, because I don't see the Broncos doing much against the Steelers D. Your thoughts? Thanks.

Matthew Daigle

Hugo, MN
2020-09-20T15:18:16Z
J. Jacobs or S. Barkley. Standard scoring. Thanks

MATT JACKSON

Norwalk, CT
2020-09-20T15:34:59Z
Thanks Andy.
Curious which 3 u would play of:

C Sutton (on pine,just fyi as he is option)
Ty hilton
Ceedee Lamb
Emanuel Sanders
Paris Campbell

Andy Richardson

Port Chester, NY
2020-09-20T16:08:59Z
Some quick answers - Hilton, Watson, No Blackout and Open is scored at the end of the season, Jones, Hines, Sutton, must be nice to have a Jacobs-Barkley choice, would be Barkley for me but only slightly, Matt I guess Sutton and Campbell would be the bench guys for me. Good luck all.
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