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 versus Vikings across the pond: Dillon Gabriel makes his first NFL start. I was down on Cleveland's passing game anyway, I'm not more interested in starting anyone now. Gabriel couldn't be worse than Flacco but I'd still like to see a game out of a rookie third-rounder before assuming he'll be better. Also cool on Jordan Mason against this defense. And Minnesota in general, although nobody should be sitting down Jefferson. Gets iffier at Addison, Hockenson. But probably a lower-scoring game.
Texans at Ravens: In recent times this game would also seem lower scoring, but Baltimore's defense is pretty banged-up. I would use Woody Marks off last week's big game and Nico Collins as well. Baltimore will be starting Cooper Rush, always an odd choice to sign to back up Lamar Jackson. Should be a lot of Derrick Henry, who's been underused the last few weeks. Some might ask about Mark Andrews. Hard to explain how one week he catches 2 TDs and the next he sees maybe 1 target. Zay Flowers can also be mercurial, but some value as the No. 1.
Dolphins at Panthers: Chuba Hubbard out. Rico Dowdle is nothing special but Miami's defense is one of two really poor ones playing in this game. Not sure we could rank either Dowdle or Achane much higher and I'm not going to argue that. I get the wariness but these defenses just don't have much going for them now. Hence the also high ratings of Jaylen Waddle and Tetairoa McMillan. Seems like we're not quite sold on Darren Waller but starting a guy who just scored twice makes sense.
Raiders at Colts: Colts one of my two Survivor picks. Pretty good depth on offense and a couple of key guys playing well, Raiders keep turning the ball over and are now going without their left tackle. But if Geno can stop throwing picks maybe they make a game of it. Ashton Jeanty, yes. Jacob too. Brock Bowers playing hurt but is expected to play.
Giants at Saints: Couple of lesser teams but plucky young quarterbacks and iffy defenses make for a matchup that could have some unexpected offense. Both starting running backs yes, Jaxson Dart worth considering due to favorable matchup, running potential. The wide receivers get trickier, but I think I had to use Rashid Shaheed in Blackout because every other starting wide receiver is unavailable it seems. I'm also using Darius Slayton somewhere, he and Wan'Dale Robinson will see plenty of targets. Saints TE situation a mess and it's the first week I'm not keen to use Juwan Johnson, who's banged-up and isn't certain to be available.
Cowboys at Jets: Cowboys have some offensive line injuries and don't play as well on the road, but I'm in on their offense anyway. Jets defense hasn't been good (Aaron Glenn a defensive guy right?). Cowboys defense has been a disaster though, so Breece Hall-Garrett Wilson and even Justin Fields are recommended options. (If you've seen the rankings, you know Fields is a guy to start if you've got him.) I wouldn't go so far as to start Isaiah Davis, but there are worse No. 2s. Both TEs also ranked favorably.
Broncos at Eagles: Tough matchup for Denver, one week after a very favorable one. Hard to sit guys like Nix-Dobbins-Sutton, but gotta respect that Eagles D too. For Philadelphia, it sort of feels like you need to bench their wideouts until they show some consistency with actually using them. And a really tough matchup. Dallas Goedert good to go. Game looks lower-scoring.
Titans at Cardinals: Cardinals are the other Survivor Pick, even while down to their third- and fourth-string running backs, home against a Titans offense that isn't moving the ball much these days. Can't say it's a highly recommended choice, it's not like the Cards are playing great, but a tough week for this pool. Nobody really knows how the Cardinals will use their backfield. Seems like Michael Carter better bet for carries and Emari Demercado the better bet for receptions, but we're all just guessing here. I'm using Demercado somewhere that I lost Trey Benson, but can't exactly promise anything.
Bucs at Seahawks: Pretty sure I was just talking about how much I liked Bucky Irving a week ago, that's what I get. Rachaad White should be the main back, Sean Tucker will also play, matchup not great but Seattle defense does have some injuries. Bucs also without Mike Evans, but Emeka Egbuka and Chris Godwin fine. Rough week for Godwin last game but cobwebs should be gone and Bucs gotta throw somewhere. Seahawks tandem backfield, Kenneth Walker better bet. NFC West tough, NFC South will again probably feature a 9-8 type champ.
Lions at Bengals: Some speculation about the Bengals trading for a veteran quarterback. Problem is that they don't make aggressive moves, ever, and plus Russell Wilson is washed up. Jameis Winston would be fun, but again, un-Bengals like to try and improve the team. Lions should pretty much do whatever they want here and would have been a good Survivor pick and probably safer than the choices I went with. I don't think I could actually bench Ja'Marr Chase if I had him, however. But could bench Higgins and will probably only use Chase Brown grudgingly.
Commanders at Chargers: Jayden Daniels returns. Out of respect for the Chargers D and the reality that Dan Quinn doesn't seem overly shrewd about using or not using injured players (might bear some blame in the injury for leaving Daniels out there to limp around when trailing by 3 scores late against Green Bay), I would prefer not to use Daniels this week. Though some people won't have a great backup option. (Five consensus top quarterback options and 3 of them have already missed time.) Nothing special about Washington defense so thumbs up on key Chargers starters. No McLaurin, so Deebo the No. 1. Washington backfield, your guess is as good as mine. Committee with JCM and Rodriguez.
Patriots at Bills: There's some chance the Bills win this game big, making it an odd choice for the Sunday night primetime game. Drake Maye can do some good things and all, but Buffalo has a good defense and lots of weapons on offense. Pats have played the run well but nobody is sitting down James Cook I don't think. Buffalo receivers, though, tough to invest in with a lot of candidates to be involved. Similarly with New England backfield, three guys playing and getting carries, thanks Mike Vrabel. Maye and Hunter Henry best options, and I guess Revenge Game angle for Stefon Diggs.
Kansas City at Jaguars: If you're already tired of seeing Kansas City, hard to disagree. They can't run the ball so Patrick Mahomes should be productive and the main passing game components look solid as well. Worthy, perhaps Hollywood, perhaps Kelce. For Jacksonville, well, passing offense has generally underperformed and this isn't a matchup where it's likely to go any better, but Travis Etienne is a weekly starter at the moment. Brenton Strange the other seemingly safe option, the wideouts iffier choices. Feels like we've got some weak primetime games this week, sorry NFL but it's true.
Will answer questions as able today, should get to everything by this evening if not sooner. When in doubt, trust the rankings. And enjoy the games.