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.
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.
Patriots versus Jaguars across the pond: The NFL apparently has visions of playing international games all over the place. Thinking out loud, matchups like this one aren't the best to build the production. But with both defenses being kind of lousy and both teams already playing out the string, maybe we'll get some decent production. Sounds like Rhamondre returns, and I like Tank Bigsby (Travis Etienne isn't likely to play, although he gets a questionable tag, so who knows). DeMario Douglas looks good and Drake Maye has some small appeal with Jackonsville being really bad defending the pass.
Seahawks at Falcons: Teams pretty healthy, at least guys you want to use. Seems like it should be higher scoring, with neither defense playing very well.
Bengals at Browns: Nick Chubb returns, while Jerome Ford is out. Our ranking of Chubb suggests he'll be in a committee with whatever other running backs the Browns can put on the field, which seems reasonable. If the Browns get the ball near the goal line, it should be Chubb carrying it. But you've seen the Deshaun Watson-led offense lately, you know those opportunities are few and far between. Thumbs up on Bengals passing game. Chase Brown looking better than Zack Moss these days.
Titans at Bills: It's weird how much money the Titans spent in the offseason adding other players to their roster while not having a good situation at quarterback. Maybe they had a higher view of Will Levis than others, I don't know. Anyway, that offense going into Buffalo seems like something that won't be good. Tony Pollard looks OK, with no Tyjae Spears. Buffalo has James Cook back, and now two viable wide receivers in Khalil Shakir and Amari Cooper. That hurts both players, with the Bills not putting up big passing numbers. Cooper might not play full-time in his first game, we'll see. Bills would be my Survivor pick if I had such a thing anymore.
Texans at Packers: The Green Bay defense is really opportunistic but also gives up yards and stuff, so Houston's offense should be fine. Stroud-Mixon-Diggs-Dell. Green Bay offense has been stellar when Jordan Love available. Reed and Kraft and Jacobs safest bets, picking between Doubs and Watson tougher. I don't love either but I go with Doubs because he'll catch more passes, players like Watson too mercurial for my liking. But good matchup for the offense.
Dolphins at Colts: An offense that's been terrible against a defense that can't stop anyone, should be an interesting matchup. DeVon Achane looks usable, passing game components not as much, but if I had Tyreek Hill I suppose I'd probably start him, given the matchup. Anthony Richardson presumably returns, although you can never be 100 percent sure, maybe the Colts decide Sunday morning, nah, he's still hurt, let's use Joe Flacco. Dolphins have struggled against the run but wading into a Trey Sermon-Tyler Goodson committee doesn't seem wise.
Lions at Vikings: Game of the week. I really figured Aaron Jones would miss at least a game with injury, but apparently he's going to play, but T.J. Hockenson won't. I'm a little nervous using Jones, but I guess they wouldn't have him active if he weren't OK to get on the field and take hits and stuff. Lions key starters are healthy and I'd be using them, despite how good the Vikings defense has been.
Eagles at Giants: Saquon Barkley returns to face his former team. I think he'll be good, and I think the Eagles offense should be fine in this matchup. For the Giants, Malik Nabers returns, which is good to hear, and I'd definitely use him, and not Darius Slayton. Eagles don't have Dallas Goedert, with Grant Calcaterra likely filling in. Goedert hasn't been good enough (with the main WRs available) to seem great, but usable in PPR leagues.
Raiders at Rams: No Jakobi Meyers. Zamir White might play, should be behind Alexander Mattison, and the Rams have a lousy defense. After Tre Tucker's zero last week, I want no part of him even with Meyers out. Brock Bowers might catch 15 passes. Rams, I have no idea if Cooper Kupp is playing or not. Risky to count on him, but if he's active they presumably think he can play his normal complement of snaps. (And I then wouldn't want to use other Rams.) If he's inactive, I'd try Jordan Whittington.
Panthers at Commanders: Neither team great defensively. Not sure if Diontae Johnson will be able to play; if not I'd try Xavier Legette. Definitely a fan of key Commanders. Hoping to use Brian Robinson, but need to be certain he's active. Chuba Hubbard, yes. Nobody needs help to use Jayden and Scary Terry. Think I have Ertz going somewhere. Commanders a fine Survivor pick too.
Kansas City at 49ers: Whooee, Super Bowl rematch. I'm benching Patrick Mahomes for Baker Mayfield versus the Ravens this week. Feels weird. I'm using JuJu, and would use Kareem Hunt. For San Francisco, the two main wideouts and Kittle are fine, Jordan Mason apparently too (don't look for him to catch any passes, I don't know if he can lift his hands over his head).
Jets at Steelers: To be clear: I know Russell Wilson is washed up and can't play. I also know that Justin Fields has the team 4-2. Nevertheless, I do not fault Pittsburgh for saying, hmm, maybe the offense could be a little better than what we're getting right now, especially in the passing game. But whatever, not my problem. Quarterback switch at least could be good for George Pickens, he couldn't be much worse. For the Jets, not a great matchup (and not a great feeling to have them in primetime AGAIN), but Steelers have given up some passing production at times. But in general a lower-scoring game and I don't love anyone in this matchup, including New York's receiving corps with the uncertain pecking order. But if you have Breece, Garrett and Davante I think you're probably using them and hoping for the best.
Ravens at Bucs: Two Monday night games again. Thanks, NFL. This one should be higher scoring, the other not so much. Both teams weak defending the pass, so I'm using the main wideouts. Nervous about Mike Evans, who is hurting but since he always plays he'll probably be active, but maybe limited (we've seen that before, red zone usage). See how much he practices today. Godwin, Zay, the quarterbacks, Henry obviously. Bucs backfield, well, it's a tough matchup and we don't know how snaps will be divided. So those guys are ranked where you really shouldn't be using them.
Chargers at Cardinals: Thumbs up on J.K. Dobbins, and perhaps Ladd McConkey as the usable receiver. For the Cardinals, James Conner doesn't have a great matchup, but most probably have to use him. Marvin Harrison returns from last week's concussion, which is good to hear. Probably a l0wer-scoring game and the less interesting of the two Monday contests.
Will answer questions as I see them and as the day permits, should get to everything by the end of the day. Enjoy the games.