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.
Giants vs. Carolina in Germany: So many complaints about Carolina signing Chuba Hubbard. Nobody thought Jonathon Brooks was a bad pick six months ago, because nobody thought much of Hubbard. Since he's played great and is on an expiring contract, they paid a good player. Maybe they'll have two talented players under contract at the game's most injury-ravaged position. Carolina has made lots of bad moves but this isn't one of them. In fact, as someone who drafted Brooks in a rookie draft six months ago, I don't even feel bad about this deal. He'll get his chance and play more if/when he's better. As for the game, there should be a lot of running from both teams. I'd use Hubbard and Tyrone Tracy, Nabers natch.
Patriots at Bears: Bears defense is banged-up, so I'd use Rhamondre Stevenson and Hunter Henry. Patriots defense is bad, so I'd use D'Andre Swift and consider Bears receivers. But not a real go-to and Caleb Williams doesn't seem to be getting the development he needs.
Bills at Colts: Lots of moving parts here. No Michael Pittman or Keon Coleman, making the healthy wideouts (Downs, Shakir) look better. Starting running backs good. Bills offense should be doing plenty in this one. Not crazy about Joe Flacco versus a good Bills pass defense. Coleman being out doesn't make me terribly interested in other Bills wideouts (not certain Amari Cooper is playing), but I'll sign off on Dalton Kincaid.
Vikings at Jaguars: Trevor Lawrence likely being out is a negative, but as Ian points out in the Friday Update, Mac Jones is a serviceable backup, and the Vikings do tend to give up production via the pass. Jaguars defense pretty poor this year and I'm high on Minnesota's offense, including a guy I just brought in via trade in dynasty, Jordan Addison. I also think if you've been hanging onto T.J. Hockenson all year, here's a week to use him. For Jacksonville I love the matchup for Brian Thomas, it's the chest injury that I'm not as sure about how much it might limit him. And the running back committee is a negative.
Broncos at Kansas City: Son is a Broncos fan which probably make me a little biased toward them at times. I'm not crazy enough to predict they're going to win this thing but coming off their worst game, with Kansas City coming off an overtime win on a short week, maybe it's interesting. Put it this way, Denver's defense should be better than it was in Baltimore. But in general if you have Kelce/DHop/Kareem Hunt I don't know how you're sitting them down. Sutton is the Bronco to consider, the running back situation is best avoided right now.
Falcons at Saints: Falcons are only slight favorites in this game, which seems weird (one of the Index Bets recommendations, check it out for the month at the Fantasy Index Store, solid success rate of late). Atlanta's a lot better, New Orleans doesn't have any wide receivers or cornerbacks, etc. Drake London limited in practice all week with a hip issue, reasonable to avoid him if you have a comparably ranked option (thus, if it's someone ranked 15 spots lower, just go with Drake). Alvin Kamara is the lone Saint to use, though I think I did place an anytime TD bet on everyone's favorite gadget running back/tight end/quarterback Taysom Hill.
49ers at Bucs: I have no special insight on Christian McCaffrey. I've been burned using players in their first week back from injury and burned not using them (Puka Nacua, for example). They might ease McCaffrey in a bit, but I think he's probably playing at least half the time, catching 4-5 passes and probably scoring too. If I had him, I'd take the chance. For the Bucs, it's hard to recommend any of the wide receivers. Either they're banged-up or they're unproven. Better off using Cade Otton and either running back, despite the tough matchup. I'd use Deebo assuming he's active, and love Kittle this week.
Steelers at Commanders: Najee Harris has been productive of late and Washington has struggled against the run. Also still in on George Pickens, maybe this is the week. No Brian Robinson for Washington, so Austin Ekeler is viable. Commanders will use other backs but he's the best bet. McLaurin obviously, and I give up on Zach Ertz, who produces when I bench him and disappoints when I start him.
Titans at Chargers: Will Levis returns, so big thumbs up on the Chargers defense. I'm also good with J.K. Dobbins, though the Titans defense has played well at times. Chargers passing game, McConkey sure, Quentin Johnston iffier. Not a good matchup but if you have Tony Pollard I think you're probably using him, even though Tyjae Spears is back.
Jets at Cardinals: James Conner and the Cards running game in general should be solid here. Little trickier matchup for Marvin Harrison and the passing game, but Trey McBride a sure starter. With Arizona playing better than expected defensively, Jets aren't automatic starts, but you're certainly using Breece and Garrett and probably Davante.
Eagles at Cowboys: This Nick Sirianni guy. Last week he makes a whole bunch of bad coaching choices that almost cost the Eagles a win against struggling Jacksonville. Then he basically admits to lying on the injury report at a press conference. Funny. But he's got the much better team here and there's little chance the Eagles don't score plenty against a lousy Dallas defense. I'm using CeeDee Lamb and Jake Ferguson and Rico Dowdle (PPR) even with a lesser quarterback in for Dallas.
Lions at Texans: I tend to think the Lions will win this game easily, with Houston not really faring well against quality opposition and not getting Nico Collins back (probably). But Joe Mixon and I assume Tank Dell are OK to produce even in a likely defeat. Lions starters are starting, but I'll probably pass on Jameson Williams (which means he'll be catching a long touchdown at some point).
Dolphins at Rams: Rams offensive line is getting healthy and its defense is making plays. Seems to me like they'll win this game pretty comfortably, probably a higher-scoring one. Kyren, DeVon, Kupp, Tyreek (wrist injury presumably not a big deal), Puka, Waddle, Stafford...all look viable if the game goes as I think it will. A primetime game that doesn't feature teams we've seen every week is kind of nice.
Crunch time now, so good luck, feel free to ask questions and I'll answer the ones involving guys close in the rankings as best I can. Enjoy the games.