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.
Falcons versus Colts in Germany: Falcons have been better against the pass than the run, so a little riskier to start guys like Josh Downs and Alec Pierce. Otherwise I think the usual guys are starting. It's a 9:30 a.m. Eastern start time, so get your lineups set early (Saturday night for you West Coast folks who don't get up as early as I do). Game seems potentially higher scoring, running backs should be busy.
Saints at Panthers: Big development here is that Tetairoa McMillan hurt a hamstring in practice on Friday and might not be available. Just guessing here, but usually guys who sustain injuries during the practice week miss a game, but could be minor. If you want to use him, you need to make sure he's actually active. As for the game, Rico Dowdle is the main guy to use, Chris Olave, and believe it or not I actually have to use Brandin Cooks in a 3-WR league where all of my other possible wideouts are either injured on bye. Panthers a Survivor choice in the league I got bounced from, but missing Tet if that happens doesn't help. Lower scoring game.
Giants at Bears: Early in the week weather seemed potentially a factor, not in what I was reading yesterday. It'll be cold. Bears running backs....hard to say. If D'Andre Swift (personal, groin) is inactive, I'll all in on Kyle Monangai. If Swift is active, one-two punch, and they're both usable against a struggling defense but not great. Caleb and Dart fine, receivers a little iffy given crowding and Rome Odunze's quiet past few weeks.
Jaguars at Texans: Nico Collins, Dalton Schultz and Woody Marks are the extent of Houston players I'd consider. And their defense. For Jacksonville, well, all their wide receivers are hurt. Parker Washington and Jakobi Meyers the top 2. Tread cautiously. Houston D really good, so mostly staying away a valid choice.
Bills at Dolphins: Matchup great for Bills, so Cook, Kincaid, Shakir to a lesser extent look really good. For Miami, I think sticking to Waddle and Achane is the way to go. I'll just copy and paste that for the rest of the season for the Dolphins.
Ravens at Vikings: There's a split on Derrick Henry it seems. Some feel that with Lamar back and some favorable matchups he'll go on a second-half tear. Some feel he's washed up. I'm sorry but I think I'm more in the second camp. This game should be a good indicator of who's right, with Minnesota's defense having both good and bad games against the run of late. If Henry still has it he'll have a big game. If not.. Minnesota backfield, not certain if Aaron Jones is playing. Him being out is the only way I'd consider Jordan Mason, and even then, eh. Vikings main receivers look fine to use. Ravens there's Flowers, and then Andrews for scoring potential.
Browns at Jets: I know he doesn't care, but I'm done with Aaron Glenn. His secrecy regarding the starting quarterback is just stupid. This game does not matter, you're not gaining any competitive advantage by trying to disguise the fact that Justin Fields is starting, even though he will it's tough to actually use him in fantasy leagues because Glenn might decide to bench him at halftime if it's not going well. Enjoy your time as head coach, with all due respect it seems like it will be short. Garrett Wilson, Breece Hall and Mason Taylor are the Jets to consider. I'm hoping Adonai Mitchell gets a shot, but more of a next year possibility. Gonna be great for the next head coach to have all those draft picks to enjoy. Thumbs up on Quinshon Judkins.
Patriots at Buccaneers: Both teams really good defending the run and comparatively leaky against the pass. I'll favor the pass-catching running backs on both teams, Rachaad White (who should play the most) and TreVeyon Henderson. And the quarterbacks, and the No. 1 wideouts, Egbuka and Diggs. After those guys, little risky in being sure who the No. 2 for each team will be. Might be the starting tight ends, hence the favorable rankings.
Cardinals at Seahawks: Sounds like Rashid Shaheed will have to contribute right away. Seattle offense should be good, it's the backfield committee that seems hard to use. For Arizona, well, I will be interested to see how Jacoby Brissett fares. Tougher matchup than a couple of his other games. And I'm not going to recommend an Arizona running back unless alternatives are even suckier.
Rams at 49ers: Rams offense should be good. Jauan Jennings seems like the top wideout these days, with Kendrick Bourne kind of disappearing. I have a hard time taking San Francisco seriously so I'd kind of like the Rams to clobber them. Sorry Paul. Does Kyle Shanahan know that IR is an option for injured players who've been out more than a month like Ricky Pearsall and Brock Purdy? Just wondering.
Lions at Commanders: Maybe Marcus Mariota surprises, but I expect the Lions to do pretty much whatever they want on offense and defense in this game. It's all fallen part in injuries and bad coaching decisions (sorry Dan Quinn, you seem nice enough and all), and should be a good week to use Lions -- offense, defense, etc. For Washington, I think Deebo and Ertz are the best bets, but I'm actually avoiding them where I can.
Steelers at Chargers: Good Sunday night game. Both teams seem better on offense than defense -- Steelers good for sacks and takeaways, not as much for allowing yards and points. Chargers similar. Not a big fan of either running back, but Chargers haven't been great defending it and Jaylen Warren involved as a receiver, so I'll respect the rankings. Chargers receivers, I think we know the drill by now. I like Ladd McConkey best but one of the others could easily have the best matchup and finish with the best numbers. DK Metcalf, seems to me Aaron Rodgers might try to find him for a touchdown in this one, head off any possible carping.
Eagles at Packers: Outside chance of snow for this game. Will definitely be cold. I'm not sure it will terribly affect offenses, but something to keep in mind. In general I like the Eagles offense and Josh Jacobs. For Green Bay, Jacobs and maybe Luke Musgrave, hard to lock in on a wide receiver with this team. We have Romeo Doubs highest, safest. though Christian Watson has the big play potential.
Enjoy the games.