Every Saturday morning, I'll take a quick look at all the week's games, offering my own take on what I think will happen, as well as touching on significant injury news since our Weekly came out. I'll check in every so often over the course of the day to answer questions, too.
Since some people reading this are paid subscribers and some aren't, I don't want to give away our research for free; not fair to those who have paid. Occasionally, my answers will be, Go with the rankings. Sometimes, though, players are really close in the rankings, or my own gut -- how I'm setting my own lineups -- will differ slightly from what our numbers recommend.
Bottom line, I will do my best to answer your questions, especially when there's new injury information (Dare I start this guy?), but I encourage you to check out our Weekly product, which has the detailed analysis and research we do over the course of the week. OK, on to the games.
Saints at Falcons: Many of these recent games have been lower scoring than expected. That said, I'm using Colston anyway, would use Brees, and am grudgingly using Ingram, I think, in the league where I have Andre Ellington. We like the Saints Defense, but if I had Julio and Roddy they'd be in my lineup; Ryan too.
Bengals at Ravens: Looked closely at this game for the Weekly and think this is a tossup game. Bengals are better overall, but it's in Baltimore and that defense is still tough. I want no part of Bernard Pierce. Like Bernard in PPR, that's about it. Am using Green (every week) and I think Steve Smith in a spot. Sounds like Tyler Eifert is OK, not that he's a recommended option. I like both defenses, fantasy wise; they did well against these quarterbacks last year in terms of important stuff (sacks, turnovers).
Bills at Bears: Crazy Buffalo story this week. Talk about Doug Marrone and the front office being at odds, reportedly because the team signed Kyle Orton, possibly damaging EJ Manuel's fragile confidence. Plus Marrone has a big ego or something. Don't know how this affects the game, but I would want nothing to do with Buffalo's offense this year. I've been a little surprised at how high Sammy Watkins was selected in several of my drafts over the past couple of weeks. Anyway, Bears starters good, Bills starters bad.
Washington at Texans: Interesting game. New coaching staffs, new offenses, several talented players who maybe were undervalued in drafts or maybe will quickly get injured. Washington certainly has some offensive talent, if RGIII can get it together. Houston has a couple of big stars in Arian Foster and Andre Johnson. Neither defense concerns me enough to avoid the big names here. Jordan Reed has a thumb issue but is apparently fine, I am starting him (I like him more than Ian). Garrett Graham is iffy, don't use him.
Titans at Kansas City: Another interesting matchup. Kansas City has one offensive star in Jamaal Charles, who I haven't been in any position to draft in any of my leagues. Tennessee has some maybe undervalued guys in Shonn Greene and Justin Hunter, a couple of other receivers. No injuries of note, just DeAnthony Thomas on KC returns I guess.
Patriots at Dolphins: I've decided to start Rob Gronkowski in this game in the league I have him, but if I had another top-10 option, I wouldn't. I think he'll play, albeit limited snaps. Can't really recommend him, though, if you have a decent alternative. I'd avoid Miami runners until we see how they're used; avoid Patriots runners/receivers except for Vereen and Edelman. Tom Brady is in my lineup.
Raiders at Jets: The Raiders will be awful, but their defense actually has some good (older) players, so don't assume the Jets will pile up big offensive numbers. I'd use Chris Johnson here and that's about it. For both teams.
Jaguars at Eagles: Sounds like Cecil Shorts III won't play. I have Allen Hurns on a couple of teams and though I'm not starting him, I'd consider it if I was in a bind. Jaguars should give up some points and have to pass.
Browns at Steelers: Kind of like Ben Tate here. It's either him doing it all as a rusher and receiver, or the Browns trying to pass to their wideouts. Just doesn't seem likely. I'd use LeVeon Bell, and if I don't mention a star like say Antonio Brown, it's because starting him every week is a given. I am starting Jordan Reed over Heath Miller but it's close in my mind. The Steelers are my suicide pool pick. My wife picked the Bears after I talked her out of the Seahawks. Hope that doesn't turn out to be unwise.
Vikings at Rams: A little concerned about the Zac Stacy/Benny Cunningham thing. If I had Stacy I'd use him, but I don't have him anywhere, ...because I was a little concerned about Benny Cunningham. If you're wary of Stacy, that's pretty much it for Rams fantasy options, aside from their defense. I need to see Britt or Quick do something before using either.
49ers at Cowboys: Find myself liking Frank Gore here. I think I'll be saying that a lot about players facing the Cowboys. Michael Crabtree has a calf issue. I didn't draft him anywhere (concerned about the 49ers passing game), but the matchup suggests using him if he's active and reportedly healthy enough. Check those Sunday morning updates. Terrance Williams seemingly OK for Dallas after falling on his back in practice. Like many I'm cool on the 49ers defense, but let's not write them off completely. Still, I'd use Murray, Witten, Bryant every week without fail, and probably Romo if I drafted him anywhere as a starter.
Panthers at Buccaneers: Cam Newton questionable and it doesn't sound good. I suspect he'll play, but wouldn't use him. I will never, ever recommend a Carolina running back, best to get that out of the way early on. I like Doug Martin, but it's a tough matchup.
Colts at Broncos: I drafted Andre Caldwell with a last-round pick in one league, then cut him yesterday for Jonathan Dwyer. Caldwell MIGHT be the guy in Denver's offense with Welker out, or it might be Cody Latimer. Or maybe it's a second tight end, Jacob Tamme. There's enough uncertainty that I would not start any of those options, and that I would drop Caldwell for a barely functional running back like Dwyer. The other big guns for Denver look great, and I'd be OK using Andrew Luck and maybe Hilton. Probably Hilton. Trent Richardson is not on any of my teams and I can't imagine recommending him until he does anything. Which he probably won't.
Giants at Lions: Into the Lions Den goes Eli Manning. Maybe the Giants offense will surprise but it sure didn't look good in the preseason. I'd go ahead and use Victor Cruz, and Jennings in PPR if I had to. I like Detroit's offense, bring on both wideouts, both running backs, and Stafford. And the Detroit D.
Chargers at Cardinals: Ah yes, the game that starts at 10:20 p.m. for us here on the East Coast. Around here if I'm up past 11 p.m. it's usually not by choice. Whatever. So, you can't use Andre Ellington. I wouldn't (won't) use Jonathan Dwyer this week. I like Arizona's passing game just fine, however, and the entire San Diego offense. I look forward to watching the highlights the next day.
Again, feel free to post questions. I'll look in every several hours (baseball practice this morning, fantasy draft this evening, otherwise free to share advice and jokes) and try to answer them.
Enjoy the games.
