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. Most games are TODAY! So get those questions in early.
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.
Falcons at Ravens: Wind and cold a factor, but at least neither team can or will pass the ball much anyway. J.K. Dobbins looks good, I'd probably use Cordarrelle if I had him, and Baltimore's only functional pass catcher, Mark Andrews.
Lions at Panthers: Both teams playing much better now than earlier in the season. A little cold but weather shouldn't be much of a factor, at least. Thumbs on the key Lions. The ranking of Hubbard is because Detroit has been tougher to run on lately than pass, and Hubbard is their main receiving back, Foreman their primary runner. Ranking of Lions D is because Sam Darnold can't play. A note on Lions D, since I've seen some questions. In any given week there are about a dozen defenses you would actually want to start. So a defense that shows up 9th, like Detroit, is not one we love, it's just one of the startable ones, near the bottom of that list. And they move up in the PPR rankings due to the points allowed component of that list (they're facing a crummy offense). Last but not least, there's less than a point between the defense we ranked 5th and the one we ranked 14th -- these things are close. And if you're not looking at points allowed, even less.
Bills at Bears: Wind and cold weather a factor. I would use Buffalo running backs, Chicago running backs, Stefon Diggs and Dawson Knox, and both quarterbacks, who will run. Please don't ask Gabe Davis questions. Chicago may as well not put any wide receivers on the field as far as I'm concerned, they aren't options. Cole Kmet, sure, somebody has to catch the few passes Fields slings out there.
Saints at Browns: An even worse weather game. Running backs (including running tight end Taysom Hill) and defenses, yes. No quarterbacks, receivers or kickers on either team.
Seahawks at Kansas City: I'm not sure what Seattle is going to do with its running backs, but they promoted some practice squad guys, which makes it seem like Kenneth Walker isn't playing. Kansas City tough to run on anyway. Seattle passing game yes, but Marquise Goodwin is hurt and I don't know if he'll be active. Both Kansas City running backs, Mahomes, Kelce and JuJu.
Giants at Vikings: The Vikings can't stop the pass. The Colts' lack of passing success in their choke job last week is because Matt Ryan is washed and Jeff Saturday went into a shell with a big lead, that's all. So we consider Giants wide receivers viable options this week, as ranked. Both feature backs, both quarterbacks. No weather here, that makes things appealing for offenses and kickers.
Bengals at Patriots: Weather not great but it doesn't look too bad for this one. I would use main receivers on the Bengals freely, and Jakobi Meyers for New England. Rhamondre Stevenson should be fine, there's always some uncertainty with who New England will actually have active of course. No Hayden Hurst, was hoping he could gut it out for my playoff game, unfortunate.
Texans at Titans: Tennessee poor against the pass and the Texans don't have Nico Collins, that's why Brandin Cooks is ranked favorably. Personally I do not trust him to be particularly interested in the proceedings, since he's mad about not being traded. (Note: Cooks chose to sign an extension with Houston in April.) With Malik Willis at quarterback, no Titans receiver is viable. Nobody needs help to start Derrick Henry. Houston will use a running back committee. No thank you.
Commanders at 49ers: Still annoyed about Washington's loss to the Giants last week. Refs screwed Terry McLaurin, then ignored a game-ending pass interference. Bad stuff, but let's help the New York team get to the postseason. Ron Rivera didn't coach a great game either. Anyway, San Francisco defense is really good and I wouldn't really want to use any Washington players, including McLaurin. Aiyuk and Kittle are the options for San Francisco, and their defense.
Eagles at Cowboys: Gardner Minshew steps in, and it's not necessarily a bad thing. Receivers should be fine, and maybe Miles Sanders will get to score a rushing touchdown. Not a great matchup for the Dallas offense, but Dak and the running backs and CeeDee are starters for most. Indoors games are good this time of year.
Raiders at Steelers: Buoyed by the emotion of the Immaculate Reception anniversary and Franco Harris passing away this week, I'm a fan of the Steelers to win, and Najee to be pretty good. Diontae Johnson has an injury issue, that's a concern, but as long as pregame talk is positive I'd use him. For the Raiders, I'd take my chances with Jacobs and Adams, and probably Waller given the general state of the position. Should be very cold for this game.
Packers at Dolphins: I don't know that it's necessary to play three games on Christmas. I get that everyone doesn't celebrate and all that. Just seems like too much. Dolphins defense has played well at home, and is best against the run, so I'm not keen on No. 2 AJ Dillon. I realize he had a nice week last week, I won't be recommending him this week. Green Bay weakest against the run but there are health issues with Miami running game. Jeff Wilson banged up, making Raheem Mostert the better option. High on the Dolphins wideouts and by extension Tua.
Broncos at Rams: I expect Latavius Murray to play and thus Marlon Mack not to be usable, but can't say for sure. Cam Akers the viable Ram and probably the only one. Perhaps Russell Wilson will have a nice day. Jerry Jeudy has been good enough to use each week. Meaningless game and I can't imagine there will be a lot of eyes on this one; even Broncos and Rams fans don't care.
Bucs at Cardinals: Bucs offense should be very good in this game, with Arizona going through the motions and that story out there about Kliff Kingsbury walking away potentially (which is probably made up, I mean, sure he might walk away, that's not a big reach). Trace McSorley might be able to torpedo the value of the offense, but I'd still use James Conner and DeAndre Hopkins. All key Bucs look viable, as Tampa Bay tries to finally close out the NFC South.
Chargers at Colts: Colts are starting Nick Foles. It doesn't really matter. Their receivers aren't reliable no matter who they put behind center. I'd use Zack Moss because he should start and be the main runner against a bad run defense. He's ranked conservatively because the Colts also have Deon Jackson and who knows what will strike Saturday's fancy this morning. It's pretty weird how many showcase games the Colts got handed on the schedule, this is about the fifth non-bye week in a row you've got to see them, yay. For the Chargers, the regular starters look fine and are ranked that way.
Will try to be attentive to questions knowing games kick off in four hours. When in doubt, use the rankings and don't stress too much. Happy holidays and thanks for reading, and enjoy the games.