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.
Houston at L.A. Chargers: NFL caught a break with both of these games meaningful to both teams. Houston and L.A. both in the playoffs, but there's an advantage to playing at home and so forth, which both can still do (even be the No. 1 seed, potentially, in the case of the Chargers). Weather not an issue, but both teams good or great defensively, so I'm not expecting a shootout. I think people can look at the rankings and divine that aside from Nico and maybe Ladd we're not too crazy about players in this game.
Baltimore at Green Bay: Baltimore needs Cleveland to beat Pittsburgh for a shot at the AFC North, and that's unlikely. But not impossible, so they'll be going all out. Unfortunately they don't have their starting quarterback and are facing a good defense. Derrick Henry I'd use, and consider Zay Flowers. Green Bay doesn't have its starting quarterback either, but everyone else (including Josh Jacobs) is available. Except perhaps Christian Watson, popping up with a shoulder/illness designation. So if you wanted a reason not to use a Green Bay wideout who could be anywhere from their No. 1 to No. 6 in production in a given week, there you go.
Seattle at Carolina: I'm not a big believer in the Panthers. but I can't argue with their relative success this year. They've won a lot of games I didn't think they could win, so maybe they get another one here or at least make things close. They're healthy, so Tet and Dowdle are viable, with their only limit the quarterback and offense in general. For Seattle, Smith-Njigba and the running back tandem, ranked conservatively because it's a tandem in what could be a more defensive game.
Arizona at Cincinnati: The first of many games with two teams playing out the string. Can be risky counting on Joe Burrow, I mean anyone, to be fully motivated. But we know the offenses are good and the defenses are bad, so I'm going with a shootout and hoping we get one so I can win the key guys -- Chase Brown, Michael Carter, the QBs-WRs-TEs. Maybe we get 13-10, but really, 28-24 is a lot more likely.
Pittsburgh at Cleveland: Ian killed my joke about maybe Aaron Rodgers following in Favre's footsteps by taking a dive to help Myles Garrett get the sack record, as most believe Favre did with Michael Strahan years back, so Mark Gastineau or Strahan or T.J. Watt can accost Rodgers at future autograph shows. I'm resurrecting it here because I honestly believe it's possible, so many weird parallels between Favre and Rodgers so why not one more. As for the game, no DK Metcalf and I'm expecting lots and lots of running from both teams in this game. Jaylen Warren, Kenneth Gainwell, yes to both for me. (Having said this, if the Ravens LOSE on Saturday, Pittsburgh wraps up the AFC North, so maybe some thought will be given to using Kaleb Johnson more. Those counting on Warren/Gainwell might want to root for Baltimore today.) For Cleveland, welp, they've got three potential running backs who could be best. If you want me to recommend one, all I can say is I think Raheim Sanders will get the most carries and Trayveon Williams will play in at least some passing situations. but it could easily be Dylan Sampson as the main back, hard to know how healthy or not he is. Messy and best avoided, unless Sampson winds up inactive.
Jacksonville at Indianapolis: Jaguars awfully impressive at Denver last week and should be good again here, with the Colts defense having fallen apart. High on various Jaguars, some Colts -- Jonathan Taylor, Tyler Warren, maybe Michael Pittman and Alec Pierce (can't argue with what he did last week) -- while acknowledging that having too much faith in Philip Rivers having another strong game is somewhat risky. But in general I like offenses here, and playing indoors this time of year always a plus.
Tampa Bay at Miami: Achane and Waddle and maybe Waller for Miami. For the Bucs, I like Evans and Irving, maybe Miami's defense is bad enough right now that Irving can score from 10 yards out, because we know he won't be scoring from the 1-yard line. Bucs should win, but they also haven't played well enough for long enough that it can be taken for granted.
New England at N.Y. Jets: It sounds like TreVeyon Henderson will be available. Good news is that the Jets are such a disaster on both sides of the ball that anyone the Patriots put on the field needs to be considered a candidate to score at some point. Breece Hall kind of a consideration for the Jets but not a great one.
New Orleans at Tennessee: Interested in some players in this game. Tyler Shough, Chris Olave, Juwan Johnson for sure. Tony Pollard and to a lesser extent Tyjae Spears, with the Saints not great defending the run. I'll pass on Tennessee's passing game and New Orleans' backfield committee. I suppose someone will ask me about Taysom Hill. My answer is that I believe his usage last week was a nod to it being his last home game, and won't be repeated this week. So I won't be recommending him, but it's your team.
N.Y. Giants at Las Vegas: No Brock Bowers, no Maxx Crosby (who's annoyed) and probably no competitiveness for either team, one of whom definitely will have a new head coach next year and both might. Ashton Jeanty and Tyrone Tracy are the best options, with Jaxson Dart and Wan'Dale Robinson also viable. I guess Michael Mayer some fill-in potential.
Philadelphia at Buffalo: I am a little wary of the Eagles here. They are probably going to be the No. 3 seed in the NFC if they win, lose or split their last two games. I don't know why they'd play Saquon Barkley throughout and am apprehensive about the passing games, too. Buffalo will be taking the field after the Patriots have put a hurt on the Jets, but apparently can still win the East so they'll be playing starters. I'm expecting a fairly lower-scoring game but actually sitting down the quarterbacks and main running backs, that I won't do. Use as ranked.
Chicago at San Francisco: Should be some offense in this game, with neither defense great as far as holding down yards and points. George Kittle iffy and seems unlikely to play. Purdy, McCaffrey and Jennings fine, and Caleb, the running backs and DJ Moore and Luther Burden viable for Bears (no Rome Odunze). Bears need a win to wrap up the NFC North (unless Green Bay loses), but will still be playing for the No. 1 seed and first-round bye.
L.A. Rams at Atlanta: If Seattle and San Francisco both win on Sunday, I believe the Rams are out of the division race (since those teams are both ahead of the Rams, and play each other in Week 18). It's still meaningful because being the 5th seed (and playing at the NFC South winner) is more appealing, I think, than being the 6th seed (and playing at the Eagles, most likely). But those considering Rams should at least consider the possibility that LA can rest players if they wish. But assuming they play is straight, Stafford and Puka and both running backs look great. Atlanta stars also viable, probably in a higher-scoring loss.
Enjoy the games, and good luck to your playoff teams.