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.
Bears at Bengals: Lots of uncertainty here. I'll start with Kyle Monangai, whose meteoric rise from Wednesday to Friday has surely been noticed. Chicago has been starting D'Andre Swift all year, Monangai the No. 2, no other running back being used. Swift is out, Monangai will start and about 95 percent likely to be featured. Against a Bengals defense dead last against the run. Now, there are no sure things. Biggest worry perhaps is the Bengals getting an early lead, and the run game goes away. But 100 yards and a touchdown from a guy stashed on benches for weeks is also possible. I'm taking the chance, it's why I rostered him all year. For the Bengals, I'm starting key starters even if Joe Flacco is out, though I'd like them a lot more if he plays (which is up in the air, we'll know tomorrow). Oh one more thing, I liked Colston Loveland a lot more when it seemed Cole Kmet wouldn't play, but he is so I'll back off that. Nice matchup though.
Vikings at Lions: Minnesota's offense with J.J. McCarthy, hard to feel good about it. I'm starting Jefferson and hoping. Addison is iffier, and I'll pass on the running backs and Hockenson. For the Lions. both running backs, Amon-Ra, Goff and LaPorta. I think I've shared by lack of enthusiasm for Jameson Williams before, although the story this week about the coach wanting to get him going at least offers some hope (but I'll still pass). Lions a good Survivor choice for those who can take them.
Panthers at Packers: Rico Dowdle and Tetairoa McMillan, yes. For Green Bay, obviously Jacobs and Kraft and probably Love too. The wide receivers, well, we just don't know how Matt LaFleur will choose to use these guys. Anyone could catch 5 passes and/or score. Complicated receiving corps with upside and frustration. Green Bay also a nice Survivor pick, they're not losing this game.
Broncos at Texans: Two really good defenses. I'm in on Nico on Courtland, but both running back committees are iffy. The pass catchers (Marks and Harvey) are a little safer than main runners (Chubb and Dobbins), though I note we have Dobbins higher than Harvey, what with him playing and touching the ball more. Tough one, probably more defense than offense.
Falcons at Patriots: Bijan, Drake and Pitts, those are the Falcons to consider, with the receiving potential high (there won't be much running). For New England, no Rhamondre, which means TreVeyon may be the main back, but second-year undrafted Terrell Jennings (who I would not start) is also a possibility. Diggs, maybe Henry and Boutte, Maye for sure.
49ers at Giants: San Fran defense not all that these days, so I'd roll the dice with Tyrone Tracy, Jackson Dart and Wan'Dale, Theo probably too, Slayton a little iffier. San Francisco offense should be fine, the wide receivers a little tough to have confidence in with multiple possibilities for the No. 1, but Kittle looks good.
Colts at Steelers: I've come around to believing in the Colts for sure, but I think there will be some passing production against them this week. I'd use Rodgers, Metcalf, and pretty much all Colts starters looking viable these days. Game seems higher scoring.
Chargers at Titans: LA offense should be doing pretty much whatever it wants here, so Kimani Vidal, Oronde Gadsden and Justin Herbert all solid. Wide receivers, it's crowded, but they're all possibilities, especially Ladd. Tennessee, a quick glance at the rankings shows nobody in the top 25 at any position. Chimere Dike 38th at wide receiver is our "favorite" in typical leagues. So tread carefully.
Saints at Rams: Rams are the actual Survivor favorite this week, for good reason. I think Chris Olave and Alvin Kamara are viable, particularly the heavily-targeted Olave, but my favorite choices in this game are Puka, Kyren and the Rams defense. Davante, sure.
Jaguars at Raiders: Someone has been through this game with the ugly stick. No Travis Hunter, Brian Thomas banged-up, so I guess Travis Etienne is a favorite for production. Jags better defending the run than the pass, but I'd use Ashton Jeanty, Brock Bowers for sure, to a lesser extent guys like Tre Tucker and Jakobi (playing to inspire trade interest).
Kansas City at Bills: Big AFC game, with Kansas City looking better right now, but it's in Buffalo plus the Bills tend to do better in these regular season games. No Isiah Pacheco, helping Kareem Hunt. Kansas City will emphasize the pass regardless, as they've been doing all year. Nothing special to say about Buffalo, guess it'd be nice if they win so the memes about all the lesser teams they've beaten would go away.
Seahawks at Commanders: Washington defense not too good, I was actually planning to use Cooper Kupp in a standard league, but now he's not sure to play after hurting a hamstring in practice. Tory Horton your potential fill-in. Washington, Deebo Samuel the No. 1 again. All the running backs in this game have just modest appeal, JCM because he's been mediocre lately and Seattle backs because of the timeshare.
Cardinals at Cowboys: I actually picked up Kyler Murray in a league to use on Jalen Hurts bye, just because of how lousy the Dallas defense is. But it now sounds like Jacoby Brissett might start, so I need to think about grabbing him. Injuries and so-so quarterbacks, not fun. And then there's the running back situation, which could be a three-man mix of Knight, Carter, someone else. Great matchup, but risky counting on a featured guy. I do love Trey McBride and Marvin Harrison this week, and the Dallas offense should also be very good, at home against an average defense.
Enjoy the games.