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.
Seahawks at Falcons: I don't see much chance of Atlanta being competitive here, and would start Bijan and Kyle Pitts (likely top receiver, with London out) and not much else. For Seattle, concern is they won't have to pass much, making the receivers iffy after JSN. But I love their defense and certainly would consider Darnold and Barner, as ranked. Seattle running backs, would be nice if they'd let Walker score on occasion.
Steelers at Ravens: One of these teams has to win the AFC North. Kind of weary of both and this twice-annual matchup, which is usually lower-scoring with disappointing fantasy production. But Steelers won't have Derrick Harmon in the middle of the run defense, making Derrick Henry look better. Ravens quietly extended Mark Andrews last week, a blow to the appeal of Isaiah Likely, wasted in this offense. Steelers, not really crazy about anyone this week or this month. Probably if you have Jaylen Warren or DK Metcalf they might grade out as starters with you hoping they score at some point.
Titans at Browns: Speaking of lower-scoring. This seemed to be that way because of the offenses involved, the Browns defense, and the additional concern of December weather in Cleveland -- snow, wind, cold, jingle bells. So I think we can begin and end with Quinshon Judkins and maybe Harold Fannin and of course the defenses, and if you're thinking about anyone else from either team, maybe rethink it.
Colts at Jaguars: Big game, with the Colts needing to turn a recent slide around and the Jaguars overcoming the occasional miscues of their quarterback to make a run to the top of the division. Jonathan Taylor has been kind of quiet lately and this is a good run defense, not that anyone is sitting him but would be nice for him to remind everyone how good he is. But with Jacksonville being worse against the pass, Pittman-Warren-Pierce all viable. For Jacksonville, Jakobi Meyers looks like the best wideout but not a slam dunk. Etienne sure. Both quarterbacks look good, with Lawrence high because that's how the Colts tend to give up most production.
Commanders at Vikings: Jayden Daniels returns, because why not. J.J. McCarthy too, in this heavily anticipated (?) matchup of top-10 quarterbacks from last year's draft. Both teams playoff teams a year ago but playing out the string in ugly fashion now. I think Terry McLaurin and Deebo Samuel look viable, matchup good for Chris Rodriguez (if they actually feature him), and I'm probably giving Justin Jefferson a lineup spot just because he's Justin Jefferson and the matchup is good even if his quarterback isn't. Zach Ertz, sure, matchup also good for Vikings running game but the committee is a negative.
Dolphins at Jets: Ooh more teams playing out the string. I'm using Tyrod Taylor somewhere, I have to, I could also have picked up Tua Tagovailoa. DeVon Achane and Breece Hall the best bets. Jaylen Waddle sure but we like Miami's run game more than its pass game.
Saints at Bucs: Olave, Vele, Neal, Juwan, those are the Saints to think about. For the Bucs, Bucky Irving is back, so apparently is Chris Godwin, and maybe Egbuka will join the party in a good matchup. Bucs should put up good numbers here, making Baker Mayfield also viable.
Bengals at Bills: Snow and otherwise cold weather should be factors in this game. I think Josh Allen and James Cook are pretty much the end-all and be-all of the Bills, yeah, Khalil Shakir is also ranked favorably, I think we know what his typical floor and ceiling are (hint, they're close to each other). I'm not using Burrow (already used Goff, oh well), but Chase Brown and the other guy with Chase is in his name, for sure, Tee Higgins too, but a better matchup for running. And the weather will need to be looked at Sunday morning.
Broncos at Raiders: Denver's offense really underperformed in the previous meeting just a few weeks back. Could happen again, but I'm in on most key Broncos, thinking the Raiders will be a little less invested with the way their season as deteriorated. But as usual, hard to say whether Sutton, Franklin or someone else entirely will be the main receiver. For the Raiders, Bowers and Jeanty are the guys; for Denver I like Harvey to score if not have a big rushing game. Weird to me the Broncos will deep playoff aspirations haven't added another running back, gotta be somebody out there right?
Bears at Packers: Big game. But they also play again in two weeks, so not so big. Gonna be cold, weather probably not an issue otherwise. Feels like maybe lower-scoring though. Josh Jacobs for sure, Christian Watson and Romeo Doubs for maybe. No Rome Odunze, fair to wonder how long he's been playing hurt. With him out, I'm willing to give DJ Moore a shot.
Rams at Cardinals: No Marvin Harrison, so Michael Wilson again viable. Shouldn't have to mention Trey McBride, and to me Jacoby Brissett looks pretty safe for yards and maybe a couple of TDs in a higher-scoring loss. Rams starters, yes. Surely no one needs helps with these guys at this point.
Texans at Kansas City: Big game for the AFC playoff picture. Snow a small possibility for this one, good defenses a big possibility. Kansas City won both meetings late last year (regular season and playoffs). I'm sitting Woody Marks but nothing really against him. Mahomes, Rice, Kelce and Hunt if I needed a running back look good to go. Houston defense, with Mahomes working behind a line missing three starters. Nico Collins and Dalton Schultz pretty much it for Houston players I'm optimistic about. Think it's OK to drop Joe Mixon now if anyone still has him on their roster.
Eagles at Chargers: Justin Herbert probably playing, Omarion Hampton too. Hampton shows up a little higher in the rankings than I expected but the Eagles did give up 250ish rushing yards last week. Also a big game for both playoff pictures, Cowboys fans really need the Chargers to do them a solid here. It's wearying to answer questions about A.J. Brown and DeVonta Smith, because anyone who says they know is guessing. Even the Eagles don't know what they're going to be doing, apparently, but the wideouts show up high in the rankings because they're the only guys actually seeing targets, so as long as Philly throws for even 200 yards, you'll get some production. I kind of like Barkley though, for some reason. Chargers receivers, well, we're expecting run-heavy, making Ladd McConkey the only really recommended guy (and even he's lower than usual).
Enjoy the games.