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.
Commanders versus Dolphins in Spain: Another international game, I believe the final one of the year. Sadly both teams are terrible and one of the better draws (Jayden Daniels) won't be playing, but American football yay! I'm in on the key Dolphins, Achane and Waddle. Washington, well, if Jacory Croskey-Merritt has any good games left in him, this should be one of them. Similarly with Deebo Samuel and Ertz. Heck even the quarterbacks might be viable here. Both defenses are b a d bad.
Panthers at Falcons: Surely Atlanta will be winning this one. Carolina's offense might actually be the worst component of the team. I am fine using Dowdle and the key Falcons, for Carolina I'll use Tetairoa but I believe the consensus is Bryce Young won't be throwing for 250 and a couple of touchdowns anytime soon so the ceiling is a bit low. Not intended as a height joke but whatever.
Buccaneers at Bills: Big game for both conferences. Kind of figuring it will be higher scoring. Buffalo won't have Dalton Kincaid, which I guess gives Dawson Knox a little extra juice, but I think it's more likely to benefit Khalil Shakir. For the Bucs, you've got Rachaad White and Emeka Egbuka, I'm weary of investing in the other wide receivers. But Cade Otton for sure.
Chargers at Jaguars: Considered dropping Trevor Lawrence, my backup quarterback, for Geno Smith (facing Dallas) this week. That's how far things have fallen for the former No. 1 overall pick. I may as well, I'm not sure anyone would pick him up. Brian Thomas probably playing, definitely best avoided at the moment.
Bears at Vikings: Bears are somehow 6-3 in the NFC North but hard to take seriously. But so are the Vikings, with their scattershot virtual rookie quarterback. I do like Aaron Jones in this matchup, and D'Andre Swift as well. Rome Odunze and Caleb Williams fine options.
Packers at Giants: Giants defense is down bad these days, and even some of the good players are hurt. So Josh Jacobs for sure, and Love-Doubs-Musgrave maybe. Christian Watson, I think we know the deal with him, either really good or terrible. For the Giants, uh, Jameis Winston is slinging it, so you wish you had Darius Slayton, but instead it will be Wan'Dale and ? Theo yes, other wide receivers no. And pass on the running backs, too.
Bengals at Steelers: Bengals defense is simply terrible, forcing me to actually recommend players I dislike like Jaylen Warren and DK Metcalf and hesitate to use like Pat Freiermuth. Pittsburgh lousy against the pass, so Joe Burrow, his top wideouts, and Noah Fant all get recommended too. Chase Brown also. Bengals lose this game and I think the possibility of Joe Burrow returning for the fantasy playoffs becomes a little bit moot.
Texans at Titans: As I think I mentioned once or twice in the writeup, Tennessee got shut out the last time these teams played. So if you're considering starting any Titans, well, don't. Seriously. For Houston, Nico and it's a week I'd consider both Woody Marks (definitely) and even Nick Chubb (maybe), on the idea he'll get a little more run this week than usual. Dalton Schultz too, while keeping in mind it could or should be a run-heavy game plan.
49ers at Cardinals: Neither defense too good these days. Brock Purdy returns, Jacoby Brissett slings it for Arizona, but he's throwing it to Trey McBride (over-under on targets, maybe 15) and Michael Wilson, with Marvin Harrison out. I don't blame anyone for being hesitant with Wilson, who averages under 3 catches per game for his career, but they have no other wide receivers. At least bet the receptions over, please. San Francisco, Ricky Pearsall returns. Ranked conservatively because, you know, he hasn't played in six weeks. Still Jauan Jenning as the top guy, Pearsall 2nd. Kittle and McCaffrey of course. Some risk with a couple guys here but upside, too.
Seahawks at Rams: Huge game between what I do believe are the two best teams in the conference right now. Yeah, Eagles, Lions, also up there, but I think one of these will also be there. Quarterback and main wideouts, yes, including Cooper Kupp facing da Rams. Seattle running backs, I just can't. Tight ends either. Shame we don't get this one in primetime, but Lions-Eagles great too, fine.
Ravens at Browns: Upset special, the Browns. Probably not because their offense doesn't do enough, but I think there's a chance they somehow win this thing like 17-16. Cleveland defense really good and they should be undefeated at home, seriously. Not that I'm sitting down Lamar, but I don't think the Ravens offense (including Derrick Henry) will have a great day. I would use Quinshon Judkins.
Kansas City at Broncos: Perhaps the Broncos will be taken seriously if they win this game, perhaps not. What I do think is it will be lower-scoring, with some chance they frustrate Kansas City's offense at times. Amusing that we have to get weekly updates about Isiah Pacheco not playing, like it matters. Kareem Hunt usable for his slight touchdown potential, Patrick Mahomes and his top receivers because they're good and Denver has allowed some production through the air. Best Bronco to use is RJ Harvey, because he'll have to be busy, probably not doing much as a runner but catching a bunch of passes. Should be a competitive game.
Lions at Eagles: Game should have some points, though I'll note I thought the same about Eagles-Packers on Monday night and was very wrong. Hurts-Barkley-DeVonta-Goedert yes. For Detroit, Gibbs-Amon-Ra. No LaPorta, no interest in Jameson, and we're pretty low on Goff, though I may have to use him somewhere. Big NFC game, although of course the Eagles can basically mail it in and win the East at this point.
Cowboys at Raiders: Both offenses look good. Raiders defense hasn't been a disaster, but with how good the Dallas offense has been, even an average matchup gets their players pretty high (their average is real good). This is where I need to consider using Geno Smith, matchups don't get much better. Except he doesn't have much at wide receiver, of course. Jeanty, Javonte, yessir.
Enjoy the games.