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.
If I miss your question, either I didn't see it (it happens), or the rankings are very clear. I also occasionally have other commitments, but I will try to get to everything by the end of day Saturday. OK, let's go!
Giants at Commanders: It can reasonably be said that if the Giants don't come through with usable numbers against this opponent, it's not happening all season. I'd use Malik Nabers and at least consider guys like Devin Singletary, Wan'Dale Robinson and even Daniel Jones. For Washington, I think Jayden Daniels and Brian Robinson are regular starters after the opener. With Terry McLaurin, last week was bad enough that I'm going to have to tread very cautiously until it seems like more of an effort will be made to involve him.
Raiders at Ravens: Baltimore won't have first-rounder corner Nate Wiggins. Mentioned because maybe this helps the Raiders offense do enough to somehow spring the upset. Which I hope doesn't happen, since I considered Baltimore the top choice in my Survivor Pool. Raiders defense played better last week for much of the game than the final numbers (which Dobbins having a couple of breakout runs) indicated. But in general I'm all in on Lamar, Henry, Flowers and Likely. Regarding Mark Andrews. If I had him and Likely, I would start Likely over him this week. Maybe too reactionary, we'll see. If I had either on their own, I'd start that player and hope for the best. For the Raiders, Brock and Davante, and maybe Zamir (but not with great enthusiasm).
Chargers at Panthers: I expect more of the same from both teams this week. So Chargers will be running a ton and their passing game will be a little risky to invest in, and the Panthers will probably be struggling to move the ball, with a committee backfield and maybe some minimal PPR production out of Diontae and Thielen. Not good. Chargers D a nice streaming choice, but no one needs help with that one I suppose.
Saints at Cowboys: Dallas surprised me in Week 1, or Cleveland did. Their defense played really well, granted it got help from the Browns offense, but still. Now they're home where they were pretty tough last year, facing a Saints team that clobbered a bad Panthers team last week. I'm in on Zeke, Lamb, Prescott and maybe Cooks. Luke Schoonmaker starts at tight end. I'd rather wait and see than actually use him. Saints have the usual complexities, mostly involving Taysom Hill, but Alvin Kamara looks fine, and if you drafted Chris Olave you may as well use him, one bad week shouldn't have changed your mind.
Buccaneers at Lions: I'm expecting a shootout here, especially through the air, so thumbs up on all four wideouts, Sam LaPorta, and the three key running backs (even though both defenses much better against the run than pass, there will be receiving production). I'd use both Goff and Mayfield too; not every week, but this week.
Colts at Packers: Jordan Love is questionable. So is Jayden Reed, who apparently picked up an injury of some sort in practice. I do not think Love is playing, I think it will be Malik Willis, and as a result the only Packer I really want to use is Josh Jacobs. I have Jayden Reed in a league, I would use him if Love were playing, but I don't think he is and don't think any receivers will be good with Willis. For the Colts, Richardson and Taylor and Pittman are starters. Alec Pierce was maybe in the flier category, but Josh Downs (ankle) might return and I am wary of players who need to hit on 50-yard plays to be usable.
Browns at Jaguars: Sounds like Deshaun Watson will have one of his starting tackles available for this game, perhaps. Jacksonville defense isn't great so I'm OK using Jerome Ford and Amari Cooper, but cool on both Watson and Njoku fill-in Jordan Akins. And Jerry Jeudy. Jaguars offense pretty disappointing in Week 1, especially after what we saw out of the Dolphins defense Thursday night. But Evan Engram looks promising to me (has to be better than Week 1) and Travis Etienne too. With the wide receivers, I'm concerned there will be a different 1-2-3 ordering each week, but will defer to the rankings on questions.
49ers at Vikings: Christian McCaffrey won't play and might be headed for IR. That escalated quickly. Very sucky for those who landed the top pick and drafted him, just as last year a lot of my leagues were won by the teams who did draft him in the top 3. Fantasy football can be cruel. Oh also I carried Jordan Mason on my dynasty roster for the better part of the last two years only to drop him in the spring, so he's on another roster. Anyway, start your Niners. For the Vikings, Jefferson and Aaron Jones. Cool on Sam Darnold but might be some teams' best option this week. Jalen Nailor your desperation fill-in as No. 2 wideout.
Seahawks at Patriots: Kenneth Walker (oblique) isn't playing, so Zach Charbonnet leads the way. I've consistently said I don't think Charbonnet is very good. But he's a starting running back and defending the ground game seems like a weaker spot on New England's defense than defending the pass. And Charbonnet will catch a few short passes. So yeah, start him as ranked if you've got him. Rhamondre Stevenson the only Patriot I'd use. Seattle wideouts, seems to be Metcalf-Lockett-JSN, still, but my expectations for all are modest. Should be a lower scoring game.
Jets at Titans: One quarterback can't move very well, the other maybe can't throw very well. Not to write off Will Levis too soon, but a rough Week 1. Jets might be a little vulnerable to the run, so maybe Tony Pollard can have another good game. I'm not buying into Allen Lazard enough to start him, personally. But Garrett Wilson, sure (and for newer readers, if I don't mention someone like Breece Hall, it's just because I don't need to mention someone like Breece Hall).
Rams at Cardinals: Game should be higher-scoring, with neither defense bringing a lot to the table right now. I guess the Rams did some good things against the Lions, but I'm calling that just a Week 1 phenomenon. No Puka, alas. Tyler Johnson the fill-in, at least based on Week 1, and worth a flier as the probable No. 2 against a suspect defense. Marvin Harrison will probably be a little more involved this week. Probably not many Index readers have him anyway, so there's that. Starting running backs and quarterbacks good, McBride too. Colby Parkinson some PPR value. Some.
Bengals at Kansas City: Kansas City defense is pretty good, so I'm lukewarm on the available Bengals after Chase. The K.C. offense, meanwhile, should be fine, and there seem to be just four relevant skill guys available to Mahomes these days, which is nice. Could use a little more from him than I got in Week 1, so here's hoping.
Steelers at Broncos: Friend made the Steelers his Survivor pick. The day I stake my chances on a Justin Fields led offense I'll let you know. Pickens and Najee seem like the viable Steelers. For the Broncos, quite disappointed by Javonte in Week 1, and this isn't a matchup likely to turn things around. Probably a lower-scoring game. Presumably nobody was starting Devaughn Vele yet (pick up yes, start no), but he's out regardless. Would consider Courtland Sutton, someone has to catch passes.
Bears at Texans: I think Houston will likely use this primetime game to show everyone they're contenders this year. I respect the Bears defense but I think C.J. Stroud and company will be moving the ball and putting up good offensive numbers. I see from the rankings we've got all three Texans receivers in the top 20, so I guess you're starting those guys if you got 'em. With Chicago, both Keenan Allen and Rome Odunze are banged-up. Story with Odunze saying it's a pain management issue, so he's probably playing, and looks better if Allen is inactive, but tough to decide on that one today. Regardless, DJ Moore looks best (and Houston's secondary had a hole or two against the Colts).
Falcons at Eagles: Eagles were my other Survivor pick, it's tricky counting on top level play from what's seemingly been an erratic performing team under Nick Sirianni, but I watched the Falcons last week and think Kirk Cousins is not healthy. Some will say that's why they drafted Michael Penix, but maybe they shouldn't have given Cousins so much guaranteed money initially. In any case, should be a higher-scoring game, and I'm interested in starters for both sides, just a little nervous about Atlanta's passing game. A.J. Brown has a hamstring issue, so that one needs to be monitored. Those burned by McCaffrey last week might want to make sure they have a viable alternative playing in this game, unless we get positive news today (Brown being taken off Philly's final injury report, for example). Not trying to worry anyone, it might be nothing, but something to keep in mind.
Enjoy the games.
