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.
It's the playoffs, so I know people are going to be more stressed about lineup decisions than ever. Piece of advice: while I obviously respect my own opinions, when in doubt (or if I'm hedging on a player versus another), just go with the rankings. We put a lot of work into those things, and wouldn't rank Player X above Player Y unless we actually believed that Player X will finish with more fantasy points. There's a margin of error with these things (let's face it, somebody is going to limp off the field, or get vultured for a touchdown by a fullback, or catch a pass and be tackled either a foot short of the end zone or a foot into it, and that will decide a matchup). Set your lineup, look it over, see if there's a choice you really in your heart don't feel good about, and change it if that happens. Make the decisions you can live with if they don't go your way. And hope it works out.
Bengals at Steelers: I've underestimated Jake Browning some the last couple of weeks, and won't do it again. Steelers are reeling, they're starting Mason Rudolph at quarterback, last seen a couple of years ago. I'm not really excited about either half of their running back committee or their underperforming passing game, and it probably won't be better with Rudolph, timely holiday name or no. I do like Joe Mixon, Tee Higgins and Tanner Hudson.
Bills at Chargers: Ian has laid out how teams that got rolled like the Chargers did last week tend to bounce back. But I'm certainly using Buffalo's key starters against a lousy defense. For the Chargers, no Keenan Allen, so Josh Palmer is fine as the No. 1 guy. But Easton Stick ain't Justin Herbert, and the Bills should control the clock and stuff in this one. Weather won't be a factor, though, and I'd lean toward there being more points than less in this game.
Colts at Falcons: Jonathan Taylor returns, so Zack Moss can't be used. I'm not sure Moss will even be active, I definitely won't be recommending him. For Atlanta, those burned by Bijan Robinson last week might not even still be around in the playoffs, but if I had him and I were, I'd be using him, you'd think Arthur Smith might want to save his job by giving a lot of work to his talented rookie. You'd think. Michael Pittman returns and I'd use him, he wouldn't be out there if he isn't fine. Drake London is an iffier choice, not used much if the Falcons are working the run.
Packers at Panthers: Hard to say which Green Bay wide receivers will actually be playing in this game. As we say every week, the Panthers are bad against the run but tend to play well against the pass, so I'm cool on Jordan Love and company. Aaron Jones and Chuba Hubbard are the best players to consider in this game.
Browns at Texans: Texans weak against the pass, so Amari Cooper, David Njoku and Joe Flacco all look fine. Jerome Ford in the passing game, even if he's not running much. Houston doesn't have C.J. Stroud, but Case Keenum should be functional so Nico Collins, maybe Noah Brown and Dalton Schultz, and probably Devin Singletary viable.
Lions at Vikings: Detroit is gonna win their division, but their pass defense is bad and Nick Mullens looked fine running the offense last week. So yeah Mullens is ranked favorably, and Jefferson-Hockenson-Addison look fine. Running game is trickier, since Alexander Mattison might play. He's questionable. He's terrible, so Ty Chandler should play more, but Chandler would look a lot better if Mattison is out. Which we don't know right now. For the Lions, Amon-Ra and LaPorta obviously and I think both running backs. Goff has been good so I'd use him as ranked, as well.
Commanders at Jets: The Commanders defense is terrible against the pass. Terrible. I would not consider Trevor Siemian (maybe in Superflex I guess), but would take my chances with Garrett Wilson, who will surely be open once or twice in this game. Breece Hall too. I'm using the Jets D. Washington's offense is trickier, it's a tough matchup for passing and Sam Howell is kind of shaky. But some may need to use him, or Samuel, or McLaurin, and there should be some production along the way. No Brian Robinson, so a Chris Rodriguez and Antonio Gibson committee against a defense worse against the run. But those guys didn't do a whole lot last week against a Rams defense that's not very good either. (Plus is that Siemian is no Matthew Stafford, so Washington won't be falling way behind unless Howell is handing out Pick Sixes, which can't be ruled out of course.)
Seahawks at Titans: Geno Smith returns, neither defense is too good, key offensive players for both teams look fine. Not sure who the quarterback is for Tennessee, but I think DeAndre Hopkins and perhaps Derrick Henry are fine either way. Kenneth Walker had a big game Monday night, but he's questionable with a shoulder injury he apparently picked up in that game. I have a playoff team with Walker, Pacheco and Josh Jacobs on it, and it's really hard to know how to handle these guys, with all three dealing with some sort of injury. At the moment, I'm leaning to sit Walker, but it will probably be easier to decide as we get to Sunday and see what's being said about his injury status (and that of Jacobs).
Jaguars at Buccaneers: We don't know yet whether Trevor Lawrence will clear the protocol. If he does, I want to use him and Calvin Ridley. If he doesn't, I might be a little more nervous about using the wideout, but would still use Engram and Etienne. Tampa Bay offense looks fine, I'd use those key guys definitely.
Cardinals at Bears: Bears defense has been respectable for about half a season now. I'm using Trey McBride, obviously, and probably would have to use James Conner. But Kyler Murray not a must start. Cardinals defense is not good, so Justin Fields and DJ Moore are for sure starters. Cole Kmet probably too. The backfield is messy though, especially if D'Onta Foreman is available, which seems likely (he missed some practice time for personal reasons).
Cowboys at Dolphins: I was one of many burned by the Dallas offense last week. Sucked. What are you gonna do. I'm going to be sending out key Cowboys where I have them and hope this turns into a shootout, not another dud that quiets the Dak for MVP talk. Miami gets Tyreek back and the running backs are healthy.
Patriots at Broncos: Big game for Denver. New England defense has played mostly well, but we'll see how much energy they bring to this Christmas Eve night game in Denver. Sutton looks fine, maybe Javonte, though the committee is a negative. Ezekiel Elliott and Demario Douglas are viable, perhaps Hunter Henry (Denver has been worse against TEs than wideouts).
Raiders at Kansas City: Weather (rain, snow showers) could be a factor in this one. I'm using stars (Mahomes, Kelce, Rice, Adams) and both running backs if available. Pacheco is playing, according to Andy Reid, Josh Jacobs a little shakier. Games at 1 p.m. on Christmas Day, not a big fan.
Giants at Eagles: Eagles should have a good mad on for this game after a tough loss at Seattle. I'm mad that Jalen Hurts bounced me from a playoff bracket with a touchdown that should have been scored by D'Andre Swift. Anyway, Eagles look good and the only Giants I'd be considering are Barkley and maybe Waller. DeVonta Smith is the key question, I am not sure he’s going to play, and the Monday start time makes it risky to use him unless we get more encouraging news.
Ravens at 49ers: Game of the Week, and one that should have huge impact on which team is going to be resting players in Week 18; winner is in driver's seat for the top seed in their conference. San Francisco stars, you're using them, they're home, they're hot, and the Ravens defense has given up some production of late. For Baltimore, I'd use Lamar and probably Likely, but I'm a little wary of the backfield and the mercurial wideouts. But Zay Flowers is probably starting, I'd use him as ranked.
Some last-minute shopping going on today, but I will check in to answer questions along the way. Again, when in doubt, go with the rankings. Enjoy the games, and good luck.
