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. If I don't answer your question, either I missed it (it happens) or the rankings are very clear.
On to a new season -- let's go!
Buccaneers at Falcons: Should be more offense than defense in this game. A little bit of the unknown with Michael Penix, but the Bucs have generally been better to pass on than run on. Interested to see what the Bucs offense will look like with Liam Coen gone. I'm a fan of Bucky Irving and Emeka Egbuka. I wouldn't use Darnell Mooney this week even if active.
Bengals at Browns: On occasion the Bengals offense has struggled in this matchup, but I don't believe that will be the case this week. In fact, I'm pretty high across the board on key Bengals and Browns -- all top Bengals and also Jeudy, Njoku and Jerome Ford. I'll even consider Cedric Tillman. If it doesn't work out, so be it, but the Bengals D is one to attack in fantasy, while Bengals skills guys are ones to use
Dolphins at Colts: Tyreek and DeVon are apparently relatively healthy and playing, and I'd use them. (Didn't actually draft Achane anywhere, but if I did, I'd be starting him.) Neither defense seems likely to be good. Tyler Warren is one of the key guys I've drafted in a few leagues and I'm counting on Daniel Jones to be looking for him early and often. Jonathan Taylor, Jaylen Waddle, yes. Cautious about the pecking order of Colts wide receivers, would like to see a game first.
Panthers at Jaguars: Ah, the matchup of expansion teams who entered the league at the same time. I'm not quite a believer in Bryce Young yet, but Ian is and that's often enough for me. Hoping for Xavier Legette to do well (my son goes to South Carolina, I'll talk about them sometimes), and Tetairoa McMillan might make a quick impact. Jaguars of course there's Brian Thomas who's awesome and Travis Hunter who should be. We're higher on Trevor Lawrence than most. Jaguars backfield, I will be advising against starting (or drafting, though it's too late) any of these guys. Let's see how they're used before putting Etienne or Bigsby into a lineup, OK?
Raiders at Patriots: Classic Josh McDaniels revenge game. Or is it the Pete Carroll revenge game? I lived in Boston when Carroll had his brief, unsuccessful head coaching tenure, good times. Anyway, everyone's excited to see the two new rookie running backs, Ashton Jeanty and TreVeyon Henderson. If you drafted them, presumably you're starting them, even though Henderson might be sharing time with Rhamondre or something. But neither defense imposing. Jakobi Meyers revenge game too. Interested in Drake Maye this season, Geno Smith should be a credible upgrade for the Raiders, Brock Bowers should be busy. Could be a fun game.
Cardinals at Saints: Occasionally I'll talk about my Survivor Pool. I've won one in the past but if we're being totally honest I don't always do well in them, so take my advice in this area with a grain of salt. Anyway, in the one I'm in you can buy back in after the first week, and I might just go with the Cardinals anyway, who are one of the week's biggest favorites, even on the road. That's because the Saints don't have a quarterback (sorry, former South Carolina passer Spencer Rattler) and the roster just doesn't look particularly good anywhere else either. Would use Arizona's starters and their defense. For the Saints, Alvin Kamara and Juwan Johnson are about it. I guess Chris Olave if I'd drafted him anywhere, but let's make sure Rattler can get him the ball, it remains to be seen.
Steelers at Jets: This can't happen very much, right, that teams square off with the opposing team's Week 1 starter at quarterback the previous year? I'm sure Aaron Rodgers will get a warm welcome at the Meadowlands due to all the great memories he provided in his two years -- sorry, one year and a handful of plays -- as the Jets quarterback. I'm not certain but it's possible I don't have a single player from either of these rosters on any of my fantasy teams. But out of respect for those that do, I'll say that if I did, I guess I'd be starting the ones selected early like Metcalf, Breece, and Garrett. But I really don't like either offense, either No. 2 wideout, either tight end mess, or either backfield. But you do you and follow the rankings if you've got these guys. And if you ask questions I'll try to set aside my lack of respect for players like Jaylen Warren or whoever and help you out.
Giants at Commanders: Maybe it's the local enthusiasm (I live in New York) that has me thinking the Giants might be OK. Maybe it's the actual talent they have (Nabers, Tracy, the defense). Or maybe it's just foolishness. In any case, I think those mentioned players will be OK, and Russell Wilson, old and slow and delusional at times though he may be, will be a serviceable starter for them. But certainly I think Washington's offense will be very good and I'd be starting Jayden, McLaurin, and Ertz (though I didn't actually need to draft him as a starter anywhere, he'll probably be on my bench this week), maybe Deebo. The backfield, no thank you. Jacory Croskey-Merritt is a hold, not a Week 1 starter.
Titans at Broncos: League's top defense at home against a rookie starter. Seems like a shoo-in, but games aren't played on paper. Give the rookie QB a puncher's chance. For Denver, I like RJ Harvey. Sean Payton's depth charts mean about as much as Jim Harbaugh's. I'd cautiously consider Marvin Mims and Evan Engram, but they've also got Troy Franklin who had a nice summer, so tread carefully. Courtland Sutton and Bo Nix though, absolutely. And I'd probably sit Calvin Ridley rather than chance the Patrick Surtain matchup. Tony Pollard, tough matchup, but gotta be happy that he has no competition for snaps at the moment.
49ers at Seahawks: I was in the Do Not Draft McCaffrey camp. For this week, I'm in the Do Not Start him. Just one year ago he was questionable for Week 1 and then landed on IR a day later. McCaffrey himself says he's fine and that all the concern is because of his injury history. Well, yeah, Christian, and also because you're not practicing in the days leading up to Week 1! Maybe he starts and puts up good numbers. Maybe he's active and stands on the sideline watching Brian Robinson have a good game. Maybe he's on IR a couple of days from now. I just don't know, which is why I didn't draft the guy. Sorry guys, this is one where everyone needs to make the decision they're comfortable with. If he is inactive, I'm a BRob fan. For Seattle, I like their offense, running especially (presuming featured role for Kenneth Walker until I see differently) but Smith-Njigba and maybe even Cooper Kupp look fine. Oh, also for San Francisco, I guess Brock Purdy and George Kittle and Ricky Pearsall a little more than Jauan Jennings this week.
Lions at Packers: There are a lot of divisional matchups in Week 1, seems like more than usual. Big one for the North. I have nothing major to say on this one, everyone seems healthy (except for Jayden Reed, players with foot injuries, no thank you, and I wouldn't have been using Reed anyway). Both team's key starters would be in my lineups if I have them. Defenses have some ability on both sides but I'm not worried about using regular starters for each.
Texans at Rams: Similarly, as long as Matthew Stafford is healthy, I'm in on the Rams offense. For Houston, Nick Chubb will be featured and I'd be comfortable using him where I need a starting running back. Figure he'll run for 60-plus yards and fall into the end zone at some point. Nobody needs help starting the 3 star wide receivers playing in this game.
Ravens at Bills: Big game to kick off the Sunday night slate. Gotta feeling about DeAndre Hopkins here...just kidding, he's old and decrepit, Baltimore needs to stop signing these guys. Derrick Henry, James Cook, the quarterbacks -- those are the players I like here. Mark Andrews. I'm quite cool on the No. 1 wide receivers who are unlikely to score for each team.
Vikings at Bears: Another divisional matchup for Monday night. Very interested to see both quarterbacks, one guy new to the NFL and the other with his new head coach. The No. 1 wide receivers for both teams are starting. T.J. Hockenson. Options get sketchy pretty quickly after that, with Rome Odunze unproven, Adam Thielen old, the Bears having multiple tight ends. I didn't draft D'Andre Swift or Aaron Jones anywhere, but I'd use them this week -- Swift Chicago's only healthy back, Jones the No. 1 at least to start. Lots of intrigue, and a game that should or may tell us which team will be a factor in the NFC North this year.
Will check in every so often to answer questions. Good luck this week and this season, and enjoy the games.