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 over the course of the day to answer 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.
Vikings at Bengals: Kirk Cousins versus Joe Burrow shootout! Wait no. But hopefully Nick Mullens and Jake Browning will do enough that we get good numbers out of Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase. I'm using Jefferson again this week, even though his early exit last week was one factor in my toughest playoff loss. Guy says he's healthy, just hopefully he doesn't take a big shot to the ribs this week. Vikings defense has played well, shutting out an apparent juggernaut Raiders offense last week. But I'm using regular starters. Ty Chandler in for Alexander Mattison, I'd use him as ranked (but keep expectations modest, not a great running team).
Steelers at Colts: Both of these teams currently in the playoffs, this is what the NFL has come to. Burned two weeks in a row by Zack Moss, I have no choice but to send him out into my lineup again this week and hope at some point he falls into the end zone. Good players are ideal, sometimes healthy ones is what we're stuck going with. I hate the questions involving Najee Harris and Jaylen Warren (I'll answer them, but I hate them). Capable backs of varying degrees in a committee in a bad offense. If one scores, he'll be good, if not he'll disappoint. And the Steelers haven't been scoring much most of the year. Michael Pittman the lone sure thing.
Broncos at Lions: Glad this is the night game, with it looking like the most entertaining one on the Saturday slate. The Lions have been pretty good until lately, while the Broncos have been pretty good lately. No. 1 wideouts on both teams look solid, both Lions running backs and tight end, and maybe even Russell Wilson and Javonte. Broncos fan son home from college, am hoping he'll favor me with his presence for some of this one before ditching me.
Falcons at Panthers: Both offenses want to run, both defenses have been susceptible to the run. And doing the weather research yesterday I learned that there's a 100 percent chance of rain during this game (so not a "chance" but a certainty). I like Chuba Hubbard, I might be using Adam Thielen somewhere grudgingly, and like the streaming potential of the Falcons defense. Bijan Robinson obviously, I'm a little wary of Drake London (who I realize went for a buck seventy last week). Two weeks ago he caught one pass and that game seems more likely, but I don't blame anyone for using London.
Bears at Browns: I'm enjoying the Joe Flacco story. Guess this means I'm getting old. I'm also sympathetic to the tough choice the Bears have regarding either keeping Justin Fields and getting a mint for the top pick to build around him, or trade him for whatever they can get and draft a new quarterback. I guess my gut is that Fields isn't good enough, but college players aren't sure things either. Back to this game, DJ Moore and Amari Cooper and both TEs look good, both QBs viable. Jerome Ford too, but a tough matchup for running (and a tough matchup for Chicago's offense in general).
Bucs at Packers: Still smarting over the egg the Packers laid Monday night. Presumably they'll bounce back, and the Bucs have been very weak against the pass. Packers do some funky things with the injury report (specifically listing guys as questionable who there's probably no chance of them playing). But it sounds like Aaron Jones, Jayden Reed and Dontayvion Wicks will all be available, joining Romeo Doubs as viable. Chris Godwin apparently a gametime decision. Rachaad White looks best in this matchup with a bad Packers run defense.
Jets at Dolphins: Weather is overrated at times. That was the expert advice earlier this week, and we've seen some recent examples. But, there are apparently (at least according to the forecast) going to be winds up to 20 mph during this game. As Ian likes to say, these game are played in stadiums surrounded by seats, not in a parking lot, but the winds might affect passing. And then you've got Tyreek Hill, questionable with an ankle injury, who seems likely to be active, but perhaps for limited snaps. It's a tough situation for a fantasy coach. I think people need to make their own decisions as to what's acceptable risk. Can you handle benching Hill and seeing him catch a 40-yard touchdown at some point? Or starting him and having him maybe only on the field a quarter of the time? Because both things are possible. Similar concerns with DeVon Achane, as it happens. For the Jets, Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson are the guys to consider, just don't expect another huge game from Zach.
Giants at Saints: Run games look good. Giants passing game, no thanks. Sorry, DeVito. For the Saints, it sounds like no Olave. I would not personally want to chance Rashid Shaheed, but I guess he's your guy if Olave is out. Taysom Hill a solid TE option, particularly given the receiver injuries, though he's more runner than pass catcher. Darren Waller might play, I'm a little wary, but if morning reports sound good, he makes as much sense as anyone as a No. 1.
Texans at Titans: No C.J. Stroud or Nico Collins, most likely. Noah Brown is your top guy, but he's disappointed of late, and hard to know what we'll get from a Houston quarterback (only that it will be well below Stroud). Tennessee passing game, in contrast, looks good, especially DeAndre Hopkins. Maybe only DeAndre Hopkins. Derrick Henry gets a tougher matchup, but he's scoring so much lately he's hard to sit down. Tyjae Spears viable for passing game role. Uncertain running back committee for the Texans.
Kansas City at Patriots: Patriots defense has played well, so not an ideal situation for Kansas City. I imagine I'd be taking my chances with Patrick Mahomes, Rashee Rice and Travis Kelce anyway, particularly with New England better against the run. I'm not crazy about the KC backfield tandem. Nor any of New England's offense, but Ezekiel Elliott as a workhorse back is viable. Lots of talk about Patrick Mahomes and Andy Reid bitching about the refs. I'm on the other side of their argument, but I also don't care that they're complaining, who among us hasn't been emotional after a tough loss. Bob Kraft apparently going to fire Bill Belichick seems stupid to me, but I guess it's time to move on. If you're not going to win with Belichick, you may as well not win with someone else.
49ers at Cardinals: Thumbs up on all key Niners. Some value in Murray, Conner, McBride and Hollywood, while understanding you're mostly playing for garbage points in a one-sided loss.
Commanders at Rams: Love the Rams here. Every key passing game component. Kyren. Washington defense is that bad. Rams D nothing special either, so there should be production from key Commanders, just the chance of your guy being left out. Antonio Gibson is of interest with Brian Robinson out, should have nice all-around numbers.
Cowboys at Bills: Not an ideal situation for the Cowboys or Bills offenses, but I don't know how you sit anyone down in this game. Certainly all key Cowboys are starting, Buffalo's big four of Allen, Diggs, Cook and Kincaid. I'm looking for big production out of both offenses, while keeping in mind that Dallas did frustrate Philly for a large portion of that last game. Dallas on the road hasn't been as good either, that's the concern. But not enough to sit anyone.
Ravens at Jaguars: As with the game in Miami, 20 mph winds are in the forecast for this Sunday night game. It's a reason to be a little wary of the key participants in the passing games, though seems like more of a short-passing situation for both teams anyway. Ravens would probably like to run anyway, but I think Beckham and Likely and Flowers will be busy. Jacksonville, Engram coming off a big game for sure, and Ridley too. Am I concerned about the weather, sure, but I'd still rather use a healthy, very good player over a lesser one where maybe it's not windy.
Eagles at Seahawks: I like both offenses in this game. Seattle defense bad lately, Eagles should be in a surly mood. Eagles weak against the pass and wide receivers, so I like Seattle's options. Hard to say who's starting at quarterback for the Seahawks, but I'll sign off on the wideouts anyway. Rain likely in this game, Eagles have been playing in the rain a lot in recent weeks, so I'm not too concerned.
Enjoy the games, and good luck in the playoffs.
