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.
Ravens at Browns: Gonna be interesting to see the Jameis Winston passing offense against the defense that's giving up the most passing yards so far. I don't think it's all going to be good and the Ravens will still win big, but I'm in on David Njoku and think Cedric Tillman and perhaps Jerry Jeudy will do something along the way. Zay Flowers is the tricky Raven considering the ankle injury; didn't practice much and hasn't been good enough to just start if he's not fully healthy. Rashod Bateman has been relatively consistent (for him) of late, what with Lamar Jackson passing for big numbers. Browns running backs, I'll pass.
Titans at Lions: When three NFC North teams make the playoffs, part of it will be because they're all beating up on the AFC South. Anyway, thumbs up on all Lions, yes I'm still using Sam LaPorta, but no Jameson Williams, so Tim Patrick might be good (Kalif Raymond also will get a few looks so let's not get too crazy with him). For Tennessee, uh, Tony Pollard? Lions are pretty good defending the run though. I guess Calvin Ridley gets a boost with DeAndre Hopkins gone, but a lack of targets haven't really been the problem for Ridley.
Colts at Texans: Speaking of those AFC South teams. The Texans are at least good, and they're going to win the division. But are they likely to go into Baltimore, Kansas City or perhaps even Buffalo (I realize they beat them already) in January and win? But anyway, baby steps. As for here, they should be move the ball at will and have lots of good options. The Colts, Jonathan Taylor returns and I'd use him. As discussed in the Weekly, the passing game doesn't look so good. We caught some heat that I recall for ranking Anthony Richardson modestly in the summer. Not lately.
Packers at Jaguars: Travis Etienne may or may not play. If he does, I don't really want to use Tank Bigsby, and not crazy about Etienne either in what might be an even committee. At least Etienne will catch some passes when Green Bay jumps out to a big halftime lead. Quick two cents on the Packers wide receivers: I don't think targets are reliable for Watson and Wicks, so I like Reed and Doubs more. Great matchup for Jordan Love, and I'll use Thomas and Engram for the Jaguars.
Cardinals at Dolphins: Tua returns, so I'd use my key Dolphins. I mean, I don't actually have any Dolphins on any of my teams, but if I liked those guys in the preseason and drafted them, I'd go ahead and start them now. Except Tyreek Hill apparently injured a foot in practice on Thursday, so that’s one that needs to be monitored right up until gametime. Apparently he posted on social media he's OK, so we'll see. Jaylen Waddle, DeVon Achane, sure. For Arizona, Dolphins have been weak against the run, so James Conner looks good, if I drafted Marvin Harrison I'd use him, and Kyler Murray will probably put up decent all-around numbers, especially if the Dolphins are putting up points themselves.
Jets at Patriots: At least this thing isn't primetime. Imagine though if Drake Maye could lead a stirring upset. Jets defense has looked suspect (bad at times) of late. But the Patriots have been worse, and I think New York will have a lot of success both running it and passing it in this one. No Allen Lazard, probably, and the No. 3 even if he played.
Falcons at Bucs: Bucs running backs the complicated decision. Bucky Irving has generally been better than Rachaad White, but Irving isn't fully healthy. I'm not going to use both. In PPR, I guess White. Teams played a shootout a few weeks ago, but several of those Bucs aren't playing in this game. I see where we've got all the Bucs receivers ranked, disappointing to those of us who picked up Sterling Shepard, but it's hard to really know who the main beneficiary will be. Maybe Cade Otton. Kirk Cousins threw for 500 yards in the last meeting but is starting at zero this week. I guess if you believe a repeat is coming you'd view him a little higher than our rankings.
Eagles at Bengals: Tee Higgins apparently picked up a quad injury on Friday. Could be nothing, could be the kind of thing that keeps him out. We really don't know. I think you have to monitor the Sunday morning chatter around the game and act accordingly. I think the game should be higher scoring and would like to use Tee if I could. For the Eagles, no Dallas Goedert, so Grant Calcaterra an option. Chase Brown better than Zack Moss, but still a committee.
Saints at Chargers: Scanning the rankings, Alvin Kamara and Chris Olave are the only Saints we have ranked as starting options in any league I can imagine. Which is fair. For the Chargers there's J.K. Dobbins and Ladd McConkey if active. But Dobbins the best bet given how bad the Saints have been against the run the past few games.
Bills at Seahawks: No DK Metcalf, helping Seattle's other wideouts. Bills defense pretty good though, even if the memory most of us have is of the Ravens destroying them earlier in the season. Depth chart at wideout for Buffalo the tricky issue. I think you can make a case for both Shakir and Cooper. It's ironic we're forced to debate two guys we were higher on than everyone else these days. I'm starting Shakir and crossing my fingers, I still believe in the guy. Buffalo offense should be good, Kenneth Walker playing too well not to use.
Bears at Commanders: I don't think Jayden Daniels is going to play, depriving us of the 1 vs 2 QB matchup we'd all like to see. Maybe next year. I like Chicago's offense better, given the flaws in Washington's defense, but I'd use Brian Robinson and Terry McLaurin.
Panthers at Broncos: As we know, anything can happen in the NFL. I suppose I'd use Hubbard if I had him; the Broncos have had some lesser performances against the run, and in PPR Hubbard will probably catch a few passes. But in general, the Panthers are the worst team in the league and I wouldn't be using Diontae Johnson even if he hadn't been ruled out already. For the Broncos, Javonte and Nix and to a lesser extent Sutton and maybe even Franklin in deeper leagues make sense, just because Carolina is giving up so much, week after week. And their defense and kicker obviously.
Kansas City at Raiders: I think I like DeAndre Hopkins a little more than the rankings suggest. But Kareem Hunt and Travis Kelce the best options. I'm buying the idea that Patrick Mahomes will have a good game with a little extra motivation from Las Vegas' silly trash talking. For Las Vegas there's Bowers obviously, Alexander Mattison maybe, and Jakobi Meyers maybe. But a tough matchup for the Raiders.
Cowboys at 49ers: This was a great matchup years ago. Now we've got a 49ers team that's slipped to where even the playoffs don't look certain and a Cowboys team that's just kind of bad. I'm expecting George Kittle and Deebo Samuel to play, but I'm not certain. I personally will not be starting one of the other Niners wideouts. For Dallas, sounds like Dalvin Cook might get some run, hurting the appeal of Rico Dowdle (who's marginally appealing in this matchup anyway). CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson, Jordan Mason and Kittle/Samuel if playing and morning reports sound good, I think that's it.
Giants at Steelers: It's Week 8. This is the EIGHTH time a New York/New Jersey team has appeared in a showcase slot already. Texans-Jets on Thursday will be the ninth. These teams just aren't that interesting! Malik Nabers the viable Giant, Najee and Pickens the most promising Steelers. And one fewer New York game in primetime this season once this game is complete. (Note: I live in New York.)
Enjoy the games.