Every Saturday morning, Andy Richardson offers brief overviews of the upcoming Sunday games, including significant developments involving injuries. He'll also offer opinions on lineup questions over the course of the day.
With four teams on byes, now is the time when lineups become especially difficult to fill. I have a good team that comes off a high-scoring loss, and this week I have Adrian Peterson, Antonio Brown, Mike Williams and LeVeon Bell on their bye, and Stevan Ridley and Danny Amendola hurt. I am starting Amendola and Brandon Bolden, also questionable, and I already used Robert Woods last Thursday. Ugly, but I had little choice and no bench room to add anyone besides Woods.
For most fantasy teams, I know, things will be even worse in Week 8 and 9, with six teams on bye each week. Sometimes I might say, start prepping now, but you can only do so much. Don't make a bad trade just to avoid a bad bye situation. But check the schedule and maybe pick up a player a week early. Like Robert Woods. OK, on to the games.
New Orleans at Chicago: Game should be fairly high-scoring, although I have a lot of respect for New Orleans' greatly improved defense. No Lance Moore, no Mark Ingram (I know, who cares on Ingram. Still waiting for that breakout campaign the local media was predicting for him). Brandon Marshall a little gimpy for the Bears, but should be OK to use.
New England at Cincinnati: As noted above, I'm using Bolden and Amendola because I have no choice. LeGarrette Blount should be the main ballcarrier. I'd be OK using Kenbrell Thompkins. I agree with Ian that if Amendola does play, Julian Edelman's role declines, though I realize they could both play (with Aaron Dobson suffering). The matchup isn't great but I think New England's offense should be fine. Would not want to use Law Firm against his former team. Am using Giovani Bernard in a league. Can't use Gronkowski; funny to think New England could probably have left him on the PUP list if they cant get him on the field by next week.
Detroit at Green Bay: Shootout! I like pretty much everything associated with both teams here. Less inclined to use Joique Bell, and not about to wade into the Kris Durham fight (but would consider Ryan Broyles, he's got to do something eventually). Calvin Johnson is hurting. I don't think you can really risk sitting him down.
Seattle at Indianapolis: Interesting game. Can Indy's offense put up big numbers against Seattle with the Seahawks on the road? Most notably, can Trent Richardson look like the Colts should have given up a first-round pick for him? (Considering Donald Brown would be playing full-time right now otherwise, I think their decision is working out OK so far.) Kind of wary of both passing games; am benching Andrew Luck for Philip Rivers in a league. Agree with those disappointed in Russell Wilson...it's kind of a strange and unreliable passing game in Seattle.
Baltimore at Miami: Pretty sure I'm starting Marlon Brown somewhere where I have no choice. He's questionable, and Jacoby Jones might play, so I don't recommend it. Ray Rice should be busy. Baltimore defense not scary so Miami regular starters can be used.
Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants: Light 'em up, as they say. If you have David Wilson, you won't get a better chance to use him. Right now I've got Hakeem Nicks in a lineup but don't feel good about it. Think I'm actually starting Eli over Kaepernick, speaking of disappointments.
Jacksonville at St. Louis: Can't get excited about using Maurice Jones-Drew or Justin Blackmon, but the Rams defense is soft, so it's in the discussion. Marcedes Lewis is out and Cecil Shorts is iffy, so if the Jaguars throw for 200 yards (and I'm not promising they will), Blackmon has to account for a good share of that. Rams running backs: don't use one. No one knows what Jeff Fisher will do or if any of these guys are any good. If you can stick someone like Stacy or Pead on your bench and use them a week from now if they actually start and do well, go for it.
Kansas City at Tennessee: Two great running backs facing two very good defenses saddled with lesser quarterbacks. I'd use the running backs, very little else on either team. Kendall Wright in PPR, maybe Nate Washington. The defenses.
Carolina at Arizona: I don't have a great feel for these defenses. Carolina is better than I expected, Arizona is worse. I think if you can avoid all Cardinals besides Larry Fitzgerald you're in good shape. Not a DeAngelo fan, would be OK with Cam Newton, Steve Smith.
Denver at Dallas: In-house discussion of whether or not Dallas' defense is any good. We should find out this week. I'm thinking there's no stopping Denver's offense and would use/am using them all. I like Dallas' offense, too. No Miles Austin, so Terrance Williams is your possible bye-week fill-in. I am using Knowshon Moreno.
Houston at San Francisco: Two of the best teams a year ago haven't looked like it this year. I like the running backs. Andre Johnson and Vernon Davis are fine. I drafted Davis as my starter in one league and haven't used him all season (Julius Thomas). Guess I should trade him if he has a good game. Sunday night game, important for both teams, so should at least be entertaining. C'mon, Copernicus.
San Diego at Oakland: I remember in Week 1 there was a 10:20 Eastern time Monday night game, and I scoffed at anyone on the East Coast actually watching it. Little did I know that there'd soon be a game that started an hour and a quarter later. Kickoff is 11:35 p.m. No Darren McFadden, so yes I would (and am) using Rashad Jennings. Somebody in one of my leagues used 75 percent of his blind-bidding allotment on Jennings. He's a McFadden owner, so I understand a little, but talk about overkill. Ryan Mathews has a hamstring issue but it appears to be minor. Bigger issue is he's not featured. I would be wary of Danny Woodhead, too, but he's a big part of the passing game. San Diego's defense isn't good, so go ahead on guys like Terrelle Pryor and maybe even Streater or Moore. Maybe. Then wake up the next morning and see if the game is over yet.
N.Y. Jets at Atlanta: Made the Falcons my suicide pool pick. There aren't a lot of great options this week, it was Atlanta or the Rams (and I don't trust the Rams offense or defense; with Atlanta I at least feel they're home and should be able to pass the ball). Setback for Roddy White last week, so avoid. Jets without starting wideouts Holmes and Hill; I guess you can consider Jeremy Kerley (but please don't actually roster Clyde Gates). No Falcons running backs, either. Would consider Bilal Powell.
Post your questions, it might be evening before I get to them with various fall activities going on (baseball, pumpkins, apples, other Halloween related), but I will get to them.
Enjoy the games.
