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.
Cowboys at Falcons: Should be more offense than defense in this game, with both teams playing some higher-scoring contests lately. Don't want to invest too heavily in the Cowboys offense, but Atlanta looks good, and Dallas frequently comes up with some garbage production. Atlanta or Tampa Bay is going to be a division champ this year, and the Falcons will probably do their part this week. No offensive injuries of note.
Broncos at Ravens: I was surprised to see Denver as a 9-point underdog. I'm aware they haven't beaten many notable opponents, but a convincing win in Tampa Bay is worth something. Really good defense, while Baltimore isn't shutting anyone down (OK, Buffalo, that's it). Would use Courtland Sutton, given the matchup. Zay Flowers maybe, though he will be dealing with Patrick Surtain.
Dolphins at Bills: Dolphins last couple of games against Buffalo haven't gone well, so I'm sort of cool on them here. Buffalo's defense has quietly been very good this year (people still think of the disaster in Baltimore maybe). I like Buffalo's offense, still view Khalil Shakir as the best wideout, the most reliably involved. For Miami, DeVon Achane should be busy, Tyreek is still Tyreek. It's the other Dolphins I'm staying away from. James Cook has been good in this series.
Saints at Panthers: Derek Carr returns, making the Saints offense look a little better. Alvin Kamara looks great, just hope Taysom Hill isn't vulturing all the touchdowns. Carolina will probably start Bryce Young, but with New Orleans' defense struggling, guys like Xavier Legette and Jalen Coker have value. Chuba Hubbard too. When a 2-6 and 1-7 team square off, you know it's going to be a bad one.
Raiders at Bengals: Cincinnati is 3-1 on the road and 0-4 at home. That's different. But they'll win this one, and first-place Pittsburgh's schedule is tough, so maybe it isn't over yet for Joe Burrow and company. No Tee Higgins, so we're really high on Mike Gesicki, as discussed elsewhere. Raiders don't have a lot to recommend them but Jakobi Meyers and Brock Bowers should be the clear top 2 receivers. Everyone is starting Bowers, but Meyers also looks very good this week. No Zack Moss, making Chase Brown a full-time type of player and clear starter.
Chargers at Browns: Chargers defense is good -- better than the Ravens that Jameis Winston carved up -- so I'm cooler on Cleveland's offense, but Cedric Tillman still looks OK, David Njoku great, and I'll sign off on Nick Chubb as ranked, maybe a few spots higher. For the Chargers, Ladd McConkey seems like the guy to consider, J.K. Dobbins like Chubb is a lead running back, but hasn't been great lately. In general seems like a lower-scoring game.
Commanders at Giants: Tyrone Tracy cleared concussion protocol and will start. He and Malik Nabers are the appealing Giants, with Wan'Dale Robinson somewhat viable in PPR. For Washington, Daniels and Terry McLaurin, I'm also using Zach Ertz in PPR. With Brian Robinson, I want to use him but his availability needs to be confirmed, he's questionable with a hamstring injury. But probably playing and probably being used in a favorable matchup.
Patriots at Titans: Another playing out the string game in Week 9. I picked up Julius Chestnut with the idea I'd use him if Tony Pollard (foot) is inactive. Pollard risky to use even if active with that injury, he didn't practice all week. Calvin Ridley looks fine, good with Mason Rudolph and a little iffier with Will Levis, we'll see who's starting. Probably Rudolph. For the Patriots, they might have to go without Drake Maye (concussion). Can't really recommend any of their offensive players anyway, but Rhamondre Stevenson and Hunter Henry are options, just not great ones. Lower-scoring game.
Bears at Cardinals: Cards D not very good, so Chicago should have some solid options. Doesn't really seem to be a go-to receiver, though, and I'm a little wary of erratic Caleb Williams. I'm fine with the ranking, let's just say there's a tier break right before him, with a lot of quarterbacks just behind him looking very similar in terms of safety. Bears defense pretty good and I don't love the Arizona options, but McBride-Conner-Harrison-Murray all viable (if a little below their usual).
Jaguars at Eagles: Jaguars pretty bad defensively, so thumbs up on all Eagles. Brian Thomas called a game-time decision; should play, but it needs to be monitored come Sunday. Also unclear as to whether it will be Travis Etienne or Tank Bigsby in the lineup; if one is inactive, the other one looks great; if both are active, I'll favor Bigsby. No Dallas Goedert, making Grant Calcaterra viable if not a sure thing.
Lions at Packers: Seems like Jordan Love will be playing. It's a big game so it makes sense, but gotta like the Lions chances, and they should be able to get some pressure on a quarterback playing through a groin injury. Love a little riskier than usual, should he aggravate it during the game, and that also applies to his wide receivers. Lions top skill guys look fine.
Rams at Seahawks: Got burned by sitting Puka Nacua down last week, so I'm starting him this week despite his knee issue flaring up in practice. Ian Rapoport says it's no big deal, but it's not his fantasy lineup that suffers if Nacua limps off before halftime. Regardless, I'm taking my chances. Neither team great defensively, so I'm using other regular starters. No Noah Fant, not that many care. No DK Metcalf, that's the big absence.
Colts at Vikings: I don't love that this is the Sunday night game, but at least it's Joe Flacco, making for an interesting matchup with a defense that gives up a lot of passing production. The Colts give up all kind of production, so I like the Vikings offense too. T.J. Hockenson returns, and if you've held him on the bench for half a season, may as well use him. Let Puka Nacua last week be your guide. Jonathan Taylor and Aaron Jones also look good. Flacco is usable but Minnesota's D has been tough at times on quarterbacks, at home. Upset possible though.
Bucs at Kansas City: I have Mayfield and Mahomes, and although Mayfield has been better virtually every week this season, I'm using Mahomes with a much better matchup. Seems like the Bucs might have Bucky Irving available, making Rachaad White look not as good; the two will probably split time against a tough defense. And since Kansas City has been good against the pass, the lesser receiving options aren't looking great either. For Kansas City, Kelce and Hunt and Worthy and DHop are the players to consider, against a defense that hasn't been very good.
Got some stuff going on this afternoon and evening, so answers might be delayed, but I'll answer everything I can by late tonight or early tomorrow morning. Good luck this week, and enjoy the games.