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.
Weird week. Four teams played Wednesday, and I have to keep trying to figure out whether those were last week's games or this week's. Two played Thursday, which I'd like to have surgically removed from my memory it was so bad. And six play today. Overriding arc for the games this week: If it's outdoors, it will probably be raining. Got my own Super Bowl going on, so I'll do my best to answer questions; some of them I'm considering myself.
Chargers at Patriots: J.K. Dobbins is expected to return, against a bad Patriots defense. Will probably be raining. I think Dobbins is usable as ranked, though maybe they ease him back in somewhat. Chargers passing game probably OK, Herbert, McConkey. I said something favorable about Rhamondre Stevenson in the betting newsletter, then hours later saw a story where Jerod Mayo mulled benching him. So scratch that, Maye and Henry are the Patriots to consider.
Broncos at Bengals: Big game where if the Broncos win the AFC playoff picture is basically set and if they lose it's uncertain. Bengals are favored because their offense is great even though their defense is terrible. I think key players on each side should be used. Not the Broncos running game. Tee Higgins is iffy, I expect him to play but that will need to be confirmed. Nix, Sutton and Marvin Mims in deeper leagues. I have mulled starting Nix over banged-up Josh Allen but think I'll stick with Josh.
Cardinals at Rams: I have no idea who's starting at running back for Arizona. Both James Conner and Trey Benson would be appealing if active and the other one isn't. Matchup fine for Murray and Harrison, but they haven't been great lately. In on most key Rams: Kyren and Nacua for sure, Kupp and Stafford a little less. Weather won't be a factor, that's a plus.
Colts at Giants: Probably Anthony Richardson starts. I don't think it matters much, with Jonathan Taylor and the Colts Defense doing the most to win this game. Results today could eliminate the Colts, so maybe they're waiting to see if the game is meaningful or not before committing to a starter. Tyrone Tracy and Malik Nabers fine to use, though it will need to be confirmed that Nabers is active. Rain is expected.
Jets at Bills: Rain rain rain. Could be more running, and that and Josh Allen being banged-up is why I'm considering Nix. But scary to actually sit down Allen. James Cook, Breece Hall, Davante Adams and probably Garrett Wilson all viable. Khalil Shakir a little less so.
Titans at Jaguars: Even this game is supposed to feature thunderstorms. I pretty much give up trying to figure out either committee backfield. Both Jaguars will play. If Tony Pollard is active, both Titans will play. Brian Thomas and Calvin Ridley are viable, as are Strange and Okonkwo, given recent usage. Good matchups for the defenses but neither is so great in every other game that they're sure things, they're just facing lesser quarterbacks.
Raiders at Saints: It feels like last year there were some 20ish teams in the playoff hunt with two games left in the season. This year we've got more awful games featuring awful teams who were eliminated weeks ago. Brock Bowers. Maybe the Raiders committee backfield. I won't be recommending Kendre Miller after New Orleans' idiotic Miller-Jamaal-Mims committee at Green Bay, and you wade into the Saints passing game at your own risk. I would not use Chris Olave even if he plays.
Panthers at Bucs: Thumbs up on all running backs, and key passing game components too. No Cade Otton. Thunderstorms possible for this one also. Adam Thielen the Panther receiver to consider, Evans for sure and Jalen McMillan probably too for the Bucs.
Cowboys at Eagles: Cowboys offense, best avoided this week. Rico Dowdle the lone viable starter, and probably not a great one. Eagles offense limited by the absence of Jalen Hurts, that's why A.J. and Devonta not ranked too high. Facing Saquon Barkley in my Super Bowl and cognizant he could win the thing all by himself.
Dolphins at Browns: Dolphins are listing all of their key starters as questionable. I believe this is another case where they could be eliminated if the Broncos and Chargers both win today, so maybe that will play into their decision-making. It's supposed to be raining and with potentially 20 mph winds, a negative obvs, and the Browns are starting Dorian-Thompson-Robinson for some silly reason, a further negative for all Browns. No Njoku. Jerome Ford and DeVon Achane and Jonnu Smith seem best.
Packers at Vikings: Big game, and I'm starting several players in this. Apparently if the Vikings win this game, Detroit's game at San Francisco becomes meaningless. (From what I read, a Vikings win means Lions-Vikings next week determines the NFC North and the top seed in the NFC no matter what the Lions do this week. If I'm mistaken let me know.) So since I've got Jahmyr Gibbs and Sam LaPorta, I'm hoping Green Bay wins. Dan Campbell says they'll play to win regardless and I believe him, but would be nice for Green Bay to win (in which case the Lions can clinch this week and not have to worry about Week 18). As for the game, weather not a factor and both offenses productive. Christian Watson presumably not playing since he's not practicing, though tough to know for certain. I wouldn't use him anyway.
Falcons at Commanders: Rain will be happening. It's Michael Penix versus Jayden Daniels, that's fun. Neither defense is great so the main wideouts and running backs are viable. Zach Ertz. But with the small body of NFL work for Penix, certainly Atlanta will try to emphasize the run. Would prefer to have the Bucs rather than Falcons in the playoffs, so I'm rooting for Washington, not like it matters.
Lions at 49ers: As mentioned, there's the slight concern that Detroit won't need a win here. But a coach that has no qualms about ridiculous fourth-down tries or onside kick attempts certainly won't be resting starters or anything. San Francisco will probably get Isaac Guerendo back. But with the game meaningless to the eliminated Niners, it's fair to worry about their motivation. In general, guys are ranked as if they're playing it straight, and I do think guys like Kittle, Samuel, Jennings will be playing and stuff. Just not as excited as I would be if they had something at stake.
Will do my best to answers questions on close players or injury issues. Three games today so some questions will be moot once those various ones kick off, of course. Good luck in your matchups, and enjoy the games.