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 Browns: Tough matchup for the Giants, though I must point out that I thought it would be a tough matchup for the Cowboys in Week 1, based on last year, and it wasn't. No, the Giants aren't close to Dallas on offense. But I'm not sitting down Malik Nabers. For the Browns, I'm not sure if they're using a committee, so I'd go with the rankings on Ford and Foreman. No David Njoku. Good matchup for Amari Cooper, but hard to trust him.
Bears at Colts: Older players with an injury history getting hurt right away, like Keenan Allen, are always, soothing isn't the right word, but nice to know we weren't wary for no reason. He's out, Caleb Williams and D'Andre Swift and D.J. Moore haven't done much or anything yet, but at least the matchup is nice. Bears D could cause problems for the Colts, Jonathan Taylor is the only sure-fire start, I suppose most are starting Anthony Richardson and/or Michael Pittman and hoping for the best.
Texans at Vikings: While everyone is talking about Sam Darnold, note that the Vikings defense has also exceeded expectations thus far. I'd use my regular Texans, but sounds like Joe Mixon won't play and we'll be down to Cam Akers, who I believe had a cup of coffee in Minnesota unless I'm mistaken. Anyway, Justin Jefferson banged-up but says he's fine and I'm using him. Aaron Jones and Stefon Diggs (against his original team, sure) too.
Eagles at Saints: No A.J. Brown, so yet another star wide receiver out of action this week. Words fail me trying to figure out how the Eagles lost to Atlanta last week, a collapse of incredible proportions that has my more suspicious friends saying the NFL is scripted. Nah I just think some teams do stupid things. Anyway, coupled with the Ravens shocking loss to the Raiders, I got bounced from my Survivor Pool. I'll still offer weekly recommendations, but I understand completely if you say Thanks but no thanks. As for the game, QBs, starting RBs, main WRs (which for the Eagles are strictly DeVonta) and kickers are all viable. Probably higher-scoring.
Chargers at Steelers: So Justin Herbert apparently might not play. He shouldn't really be starting in fantasy leagues regardless, but a negative for the entire offense. Chargers were going to run the ball anyway, but it looks less promising with Easton Stick leading the passing game. I'm still using Dobbins. For Pittsburgh, George Pickens and Najee (without enthusiasm). Game should be lower scoring.
Broncos at Buccaneers: Broncos are in for it this year, as anticipated. Bucs defense hasn't been a shutdown group but they did a decent job at Detroit and it's not going to be easy for Denver's offense to do much. For the Bucs, the question is whether Mike Evans (probably) or Chris Godwin sees the most of Patrick Surtain in coverage. I have a lot of Rachaad White so I'm hoping for good things this week. (And I protected that pick with Bucky Irving everywhere, so if what every fantasy talking head seems to want to happen, happens, I'm ready.) Javonte Williams viable for his pass-catching role, hard to sign off on other Broncos. Bucs seem like a solid survivor pick, with Denver's offense pretty punchless as Bo Nix learns on the job.
Packers at Titans: Hard to project this game without knowing whether it will be Jordan Love (knee) or Malik Willis in the lineup. It's easy for me to say the team should let Love get fully healthy but I have no idea the severity or anything. If it's Willis, don't start any Packers receivers. If it's Love, I'd probably consider Jayden Reed. Josh Jacobs and Tony Pollard viable. Titans seem to have added a lot a veteran talent around a quarterback they're going to have to bench soon.
Panthers at Raiders: Carolina benches Bryce Young for Andy Dalton and the next day all the stories are about what Young's trade value might be. Geez, let the move breathe a little. He struggled. He got benched. It doesn't mean his career is over or his Panthers career is over. (Although it might be.) This team's not gonna start tearing it up with Dalton, most likely, and Dalton's a creaky older guy who might get sidelined due to injury. Not a Bryce fan but everything doesn't have to be final even if it's the right move now. As for this week, I'm interested in Diontae, Thielen and Chuba, but not crazy about them, Raiders defense has some players. Carolina's defense does not, so Brock and Davante and even Zamir have some value.
Dolphins at Seahawks: I'm fine using Tyreek Hill without Tua -- not crazy about it, but fine. Jaylen Waddle not as much, but most people might not have better options. I have a team with both Deebo and Kupp on it, my choices are pretty lean. DeVon Achane looks good (no Mostert again), Zach Charbonnet (who I'd like to point out I thought was overdrafted from the very start and dismissed the idea last summer that he'd push Kenneth Walker or something) starts at running back and can be used for volume and opportunity even if he's averaging 2.9 yards per attempt. Seattle wideout trio usable against an iffy Dolphins defense, problem is it seems there might be a different top performer each week.
Lions at Cardinals: Not sure what to make of Arizona's stellar performance defensively against the Rams last week. For now I'm chalking it up to the Rams' offensive line and receiver injuries more than the AZ defense suddenly being impressive. We'll see how that works out, but I'm starting my usual Lions. Would be nice if Sam LaPorta joins the season, I drafted him in a few leagues. Tougher running matchup for James Conner, so he'll likely do more as a receiver. Greg Dortch apparently tweaked something in practice, make sure he's active before trying him.
Ravens at Cowboys: Maybe the game of the week, at least in the sense that these should be two of the conference powers, and certainly with the Ravens there's some desperation at 0-2. Good news for them is no one is winning 12 games in the AFC North, they'll all be beating up on each other. Homefield didn't help Baltimore a year ago in the playoffs, so just getting in is probably enough. I'm starting Isaiah Likely over a couple of safer options at tight end, I refused to believe that Week 1 was just a fluke. We'll see how that ages. Zay Flowers looks great, as do Lamar and Derrick Henry considering how the Cowboys D looked last week. If I had Andrews I'd use him too. For Dallas, Jake Ferguson returns, CeeDee is fine, Dak and maybe Zeke OK against a Ravens D that struggled some against Gardner Minshew and company.
49ers at Rams: Not playing in this game between playoff teams from a year ago: Puka Nacua, Christian McCaffrey, Deebo Samuel, Cooper Kupp and George Kittle. It's Week 3. So a little short on star power. Brandon Aiyuk and Jauan Jennings seem to have to be busy. For the Rams, I'm starting Demarcus Robinson, hoping he is indeed the No. 1. But no one can promise we won't get just as much Tyler Johnson, Jordan Whittington or even Colby Parkinson. The offensive line is a big worry for the Rams. San Francisco also has some defensive issues. Big NFC West game but not as high-powered as it should be.
Kansas City at Falcons: Quite a lot of enthusiasm for potential Kansas City running backs on the waiver wire this week. Here's my take: The team is going to pass more than run. Should be a plus for those of us with Patrick Mahomes, Rashee Rice, Travis Kelce and Xavier Worthy. At running back, I do not think they will have a top-20 or 25 type of player. I think we'll see Samaje Perine and Carson Steele split the work this week, maybe a little Keaontay Ingram, with Perine doing more as a receiver and Steele getting more carries. But if Perine catches 5 passes or Steele gets a dozen carries, I'll be surprised. In a week or two it might be Kareem Hunt, it might be Clyde Edwards-Helaire, there will probably be 2-3 backs involved. I hear about these monster bids for Steele and Hunt and do not get it. So yeah, I'm not going to be recommending the running game too much. Atlanta was ridiculously fortunate to win on Monday, they won't here. Bijan, London and maybe Pitts are the options.
Jaguars at Bills: Sometimes readers know why there are two Monday night games for no apparent reason. It's happening in Week 4 too. Not that anyone cares, but it's a real hassle for those of us trying to get out a newsletter Wednesday morning. Anyway, Jaguars are quite quickly into must-win territory after dropping close decisions the first two weeks where they probably should have won. Bills D has played well since the first half of Week 1, so not a great situation. Starting Shakir, scored in Week 1 and would have done more at Miami if necessary. Not sure what's up with Kincaid.
Commanders at Bengals: Everyone is in on Cincinnati's passing offense, which honestly worries me a little, I hate group certainty. But Washington's pass defense is quite poor. Sounds like Tee Higgins is good to go, slightly injury concern but again, options aren't great if you've been hit by injuries. I like Brian Robinson and Jayden Daniels for running, cool on Washington receivers. Zack Moss should be OK. I guess it's nice knowing if one Monday game is bad you can turn to the other, but I'm sure one of the two is on a random streaming service I don't get/don't know the password for/whatever. Anyway, probably a higher scoring game.
Enjoy the games.
