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.
Browns at Ravens: Baltimore is the week's biggest favorite, the best Survivor pick, and everyone connected with them should do big things in this home game against the Browns, who added fuel to the fire with Grant Delpit inexplicably saying that tackling Derrick Henry is "not hard." However, I will point out that one year ago, the Ravens lost a Week 1 nailbiter at Kansas City, came home in Week 2 with everyone expecting them to roll a lowly Raiders team, only to lose to a Gardner Minshew comeback. So yeah, Ravens look great, but the game still has to be played. I'm starting pieces of the Browns passing game, which includes Dylan Sampson as the only running back to consider.
Jaguars at Bengals: Should be higher-scoring, with neither defense probably very good. Jaguars might be improved, and then there's the question as to how good Trevor Lawrence is, but I'm starting the key offensive guys from both teams and hoping for a higher-scoring game. If Jacksonville can't get the passing game going this week, cause for concern.
Giants at Cowboys: I went with the Cowboys as a second Survivor pick. Don't love counting on them, but I was impressed by the way the team competed in their season-0pening loss at Philadelphia. While depressed by the Giants' offense against a Washington defense that sure didn't look good against Green Bay on Thursday. Malik Nabers yes, Tyrone Tracy maybe, and all key Cowboys viable.
Bears at Lions: Bears somehow let the Vikings game get away from them after seemingly dominating for three quarters. Detroit was down bad at Lambeau, granted the Packers seem to be really good. I think Detroit bounces back here, but as noted in the preview, maybe Ben Johnson has a good feel for what will give Jared Goff problems. Anybody else lose a Week 1 matchup on the DJ Moore end of regulation "fumble" (lateraling to a teammate to try to keep the play alive)? Painful.
Patriots at Dolphins: Speaking of teams that didn't look good in Week 1. There's nowhere to go but up for the Dolphins, but they've got offensive line injuries, New England's pass rush (4 sacks) was their saving grace in the opener, and New England's offense has some potential, given how bad Miami's defense looked against Daniel Jones in Indianapolis. TreVeyon, Kayshon, Stefon, perhaps Drake Maye and Hunter Henry all seem viable to varying degrees. For Miami, Achane and I suppose Hill and Waddle merit another week before pulling the plug. Geno just threw for 362 against this defense.
49ers at Saints: It's Week 2 and Christian McCaffrey is healthy. It's the entire rest of San Francisco's offense that isn't. No Kittle or Purdy. Mac Jones looks serviceable, and I'd start Ricky Pearsall as the No. 1. And after McCaffrey, that's basically it. For the Saints offense, Kamara and Juwan Johnson and I guess the heavily targeted Chris Olave are good to use. Game seems likely to be lower-scoring.
Bills at Jets: Bills won't be scoring in the 40s, or Jets in the 30s, every week. But Breece Hall and Garrett Wilson have certainly earned weekly starts, and Justin Fields is an option (though I'm still not a total believer). For the Bills, the tricky ones are Keon Coleman and Khalil Shakir; regular busy targets, or sporadically involved. I will trust the rankings myself. James Cook (off the injury report) yes and Josh Allen, of course.
Seahawks at Steelers: The way players have bounced around the league you have to stop and think about things. DK Metcalf plays for which team? Is Cooper Kupp on one of these rosters? Aaron Rodgers is here, Russell Wilson is not. Tough to keep up. Anyway, game should definitely be of the lower-scoring variety, and I know we said that about Steelers-Jets last week, but I'll say it again here. Metcalf, Smith-Njigba, and I would probably use Kenneth Walker, but not the Steelers committee, and we know Zach Charbonnet will probably split time so he could be the one who scores. Backfields and offenses to avoid in most cases, I think.
Rams at Titans: Tennessee's offense didn't do much in Denver, but the Rams defense isn't quite as good, so Calvin Ridley should be OK and full-time back Tony Pollard should be productive. For the Rams, their key skill guys look fine -- Denver's offensive struggles last week seemed to be self-inflicted. Rams-Titans, thrilling Super Bowl finish, back when we weren't used to those games being much good.
Panthers at Cardinals: I've been a Bryce Young doubter, mentioning this just so if I say I wouldn't use him, it's not just a one-week thing. Carolina offense needs a big turnaround after that dud in Jacksonville. Not sure it happens here. Chuba and Tetairoa, those are the guys to consider. Arizona offense should be productive, with Carolina defense still having a long way to go for respectability.
Broncos at Colts: Look maybe Daniel Jones is for real and the Colts offense and defense will be improved this year. But let's see how this one goes before chucking much in the lineup besides Jonathan Taylor and Tyler Warren. I'm in on the Broncos passing game, a little wary of the running back committee, because committees are tough and you need to get lucky with production. J.K. Dobbins safer at this point than RJ Harvey, but Tyler Badie also there. Evan Engram good to go.
Eagles at Kansas City: No Dallas Goedert. I might try Grant Calcaterra if I were desperate, but most will have better options. Seems like a plus for DeVonta Smith and A.J. Brown. For Kansas City, volume makes Hollywood Brown and JuJu Smith-Schuster options. I know the Super Bowl was a blowout but I'm expecting a closer and probably lower-scoring game.
Falcons at Vikings: So J.J. McCarthy was the NFC Offensive Player of the Week for his huge comeback win against the Bears. I have nothing against McCarthy, truly, but I can't forget how bad he looked the first three quarters, personally. Falcons wideouts healthy and I'd use them as ranked. Hard to trust Vikings receivers besides Justin Jefferson with Minnesota seemingly hesitant to pass in the opener. Backfield committee, too.
Bucs at Texans: Two Monday night games. We're concerned about the Bucs offense, having lost Liam Coen. Also concerned about Houston's which doesn't have that explanation, might more be tied to an offensive line that's iffy (was last year, and traded away Laremy Tunsil). I'd use key Bucs, apparently just Mayfield, Irving, Evans and Egbuka. Texans we've got Nico (at least Tampa Bay worst against the pass) and Chubb if you have to, but not a great matchup.
Chargers at Raiders: Could be a fun one based on the way these offenses passed the ball around in the opener. Too bad it occurs late here on the East Coast on Monday night, when we're trying to put together the Week 3 Weekly. The big concern is Brock Bowers. Obviously you want to use him if he's healthy and active, so would be nice to have Michael Mayer on your roster if he's not. Lesser fill-ins from the same game Will Dissly and Tyler Conklin, but sounds like they'll both play. I have no special insight on Bowers, hopefully we'll know a little more tomorrow.
Got some stuff going on this afternoon and evening, so my answers may not be timely, but I will try to get every question either today or at least before the early kickoffs tomorrow. If I don't answer or miss your question, apologies -- when in doubt, go with the rankings, and good luck. Enjoy the games.