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.
Lions at Cowboys: Starting the weekend off with a higher-scoring affair. Cowboys at home and the Lions defense anywhere should result in lots of points. Small question whether Detroit can keep up against a good defense, but Geno Smith managed it so I think Detroit should at least get you something. Rare game where everyone doesn't seem to be hurt and weather won't be an issue, so giddyup.
Dolphins at Ravens: Big game for playoff seeding and whatnot. Ravens have made me believers, but Miami has played the run well for most of the season. Their defense should also be able to do some things against Miami's offense, which btw won't have Jaylen Waddle. Raheem Mostert versus his former team, some may remember. I like the passing games more than the running games, but the Ravens can frustrate the former just as easily as the latter, as Brock Purdy found out the other night.
Patriots at Bills: New England won the earlier meeting; their defense is still playing pretty well, and Josh Allen hasn't exactly been smooth. I'm using Diggs, Cook and Kincaid, but I understand people having their doubts given some recent quiet games. New England might not have Hunter Henry, but he's practiced some so the lean is he'll return, and that's where New England has been throwing its touchdowns. But inactives will need to be checked. Gabe Davis has moved into Taysom Hill territory for me; hard to recommend because he'll be either be great or get totally shut out, and I hate that kind of player.
Falcons at Bears: Chicago defense has been playing well lately. That limits the Falcons I'd actually want to start to Bijan, maybe London, and perhaps Pitts (on unwarranted optimism). DJ Moore is fine, Cole Kmet is iffy, his status will need to be confirmed. I'm hoping the Bears put the Falcons and Arthur Smith's fantasy-unfriendly tenure out of their misery.
Titans at Texans: C.J. Stroud returns, just in time. Will Levis also returns, you wonder a little about his mobility if he's playing through an ankle injury, but certainly DeAndre Hopkins looks good given the matchup (bad pass defense, former team). Derrick Henry is the tricky case, Houston really shut him down a couple of weeks ago, but I think I'd give him another chance, always seems likely to get in the end zone at some point. Thumbs up on Nico and Schultz.
Raiders at Colts: Josh Jacobs is doubtful, so he's not playing. I'll sign off on Zamir White, with the Colts being weak against the run. Michael Pittman cleared to return, but we need to be sure there are no setbacks; should be great if active though. Would sort of like to see the Colts knocked out of the playoff picture, but a game that could go either way.
Panthers at Jaguars: Jacksonville will start C.J. Beathard. Among the marginal backups starting this week, at least he's in no danger of being benched if he struggles, and he'll run a little. But as we regularly point out, Carolina's defense is a lot better against the pass than the run. so I like Travis Etienne more. Jaguars tough on the run, so I'm cool on Chuba Hubbard. Better matchup for the passing game, but Adam Thielen is about as deep as I'd go with that.
Rams at Giants: Neither defense is great. Puka Nacua has a hip issue of some kind but I'm comfortable that he's playing (although with every questionable, you've got to be prepared to pivot if he's inactive). Thus far, Nacua has been willing to play through bumps and bruises. Kyren, Cooper, Stafford, sure. For the Giants, Barkley yes, Waller and Tyrod as needed where injuries leave you little choice. Weather supposed to be OK here in the New York area.
Cardinals at Eagles: Give me all the Eagles this week. Arizona's defense has been quite bad, particularly lately. A rare week where I'm all in on D'Andre Swift, in addition to the three main pass catchers. For the Cardinals, Kyler Murray and James Conner and Trey McBride should all be OK. If I were going to start a wide receiver, Greg Dortch, but most should have better options.
Saints at Bucs: Bucs should win and wrap up the NFC South, but the way their pass defense has played, maybe Derek Carr and company surprise. Seems like it should be higher scoring, making Olave and Shaheed viable. Bucs offense should also be good.
49ers at Commanders: Love the 49ers offense against the Commanders barely there defense. Start em all. For Washington apparently Jacoby Brissett has a hamstring injury, I wouldn't be recommending any Commanders anyway. Playing for garbage numbers against a really good and ticked off defense. Committee backfield in which Antonio Gibson looks best I think (PPR), since he'll play more when they're behind.
Steelers at Seahawks: Kenny Pickett was dropped in my dynasty league. I picked him up, but without much optimism. Next year, not this week, which will be started by Mason Rudolph. All the Seahawks seem to be banged up, or else Seattle just goes really aggressive and thorough with its injury reports. I'm using Kenneth Walker and would use their main wideouts. I am not confident enough in another big week from George Pickens to use him, but won't blame those who do. I think he's ranked appropriately.
Chargers at Broncos: This one probably looked good when they were drawing up the schedule. Instead we've got Easton Stick versus Jarrett Stidham and neither team has any of its best wideouts. Jerry Jeudy has some minimal potential if he plays, Austin Ekeler too. Otherwise I'm taking a hard pass on pretty much everyone on both rosters. Hopeful things break right and the Broncos are still alive for Week 18 to cause some more angst and drama in a season or two full of it.
Bengals at Kansas City: I'm not sure what to expect from the JaMarr Chase situation. He wasn't going to play, now he might. Sounds like if he does he'll be limited, I don't think I'd take the risk. Problems also with Kansas City's backfield. I like Pacheco if he clears the protocol and starts, CEH if he doesn't. (I'm assuming CEH recovers from his illness issue, but that will also need to be confirmed.) Rough game, and with the later start time it's even more complicated.
Packers at Vikings: Alexander Mattison returns, and it's a nice matchup, but how will the backfield rotation with Ty Chandler be handled? Hard to know. Chandler was great two weeks ago, not so much last week. Hard to keep track of which Packers wideouts will be playing from week to week. Seems like Jayden Reed is fine to use, Romeo Doubs too. Big game in the NFC with the winner poised to earn a wild card spot.
Happy almost New Year! Good luck, and enjoy the games.
