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.
Not a great week for the NFL. Don't think anyone needs another person to editorialize on everything that's going on, so I won't. Let's get right to the games.
Starting with Thursday's. Congratulations to all of you who started Owen Daniels, since he personally accounted for all the touchdowns in the Steelers-Ravens game. Anyone? Perhaps you started Joe Flacco? No? Yeah. At least there was some PPR value in Antonio Brown, Steve Smith and LeVeon Bell, but otherwise it was a game best avoided. Divisional games on Thursday nights, best avoided for fantasy purposes. Justin Tucker was good! Too bad I dropped him this week for Mike Nugent.
Dolphins at Bills: Dolphins have some injured linebackers, which helps the Bills running game. Bills aren't great against the run, which helps the Dolphins. No injured fantasy starters of note. I like the running games and guess I'd sign off on Mike Wallace.
Lions at Panthers: DeAngelo Williams won't play, which means an expanded workload for Jonathan Stewart. I hate Panthers running backs and don't have him anywhere, but if I did, I'd consider him. But Carolina will use Mike Tolbert more, and they've got Fozzy Whittaker, and Cam Newton is back and maybe call his own number around the goal line, although, you know, fractured ribs. Anyway, not a Stewart fan, but I like him a little more than usual. Except the matchup is really tough. Tough for Detroit, too. I kind of like Kelvin Benjamin.
Falcons at Bengals: Not believing in the Falcons, I think this will be a tough game for them. OK, their wideouts and quarterback are really good. But so is Cincinnati's defense. I love Bernard, Green and Dalton in this game, and guess you can consider Sanu and Gresham. No thanks on Atlanta's four-headed monster at running back. Good grief. Some teams don't even have four running backs on their roster.
Saints at Browns: Saints aren't as good on the road, but I like them here anyway. Brees, Ingram, Cooks, Colston. That Graham feller, he's OK too. For the Browns, remember when the biggest NFL stories were them trading Trent Richardson away? Good times. No Ben Tate, so I'd use Terrance West, and indeed am in one league. Maybe Isaiah Crowell is more talented, but he's not available in my league and West will get first crack at things. Until the Browns fall way behind and have to pass every down, anyway. Josh Gordon in Week 12! I wonder how many of the teams who hold him on their roster for 11 weeks will be in the playoff picture.
Patriots at Vikings: Adrian Peterson won't play. Mass Asiata is expected to start. What I said to someone tonight is that Asiata is Robert Turbin and Jerick McKinnon is Christine Michael. I expect Asiata mostly this week, McKinnon eventually, if this turns out to be a long-term situation for Peterson. Which if you asked me right now I'd say, it probably will do just that. I like the Patriots to roll this week, but I'd be fine using Cordarrelle Patterson. Is this Matt Cassel's first start against his former team? I forget if he faced them while with Kansas City. Anyway. Like the Pats. Might use Asiata in a bind.
Cardinals at Giants: Does the son of the squeaky wheel get the grease? I expect Larry Fitzgerald to have a good game -- unfortunately, it sounds like Carson Palmer isn't fully healthy due to a "nerve thing" in his shoulder. Sounds like he'll play, but it's something to monitor Sunday morning. For the Giants, well, this offense looks bad and Arizona's defense was better than expected in Week 1. Not too keen on starting Rashad Jennings or Victor Cruz, but if you drafted them as starters you may not have better options.
Cowboys at Titans: Trying to get Matt Asiata off blind-bidding waivers in a money league, but if that doesn't work out, I'm hoping to get Jake Locker. He should light up the Cowboys, and if he's buying into Ken Whisenhunt, maybe he'll have a nice season. I would start Shonn Greene this week, yes I said it. Murray and Bryant for Dallas and grudgingly Witten. But I am worried.
Jaguars at Washington: I saw the point spread on this game and nearly fell out of my chair. Washington favored by 6 points? I think Jacksonville is better and will probably win the game. If I were a betting man I'd be all over the Chad Henne Jaguars this week. Anyway. Sounds like no Cecil Shorts, so Allen Hurns gets another week in the lineup. Toby Gerhart should play, but not for me unless I had no choice. No Jordan Reed. Don't much like Washington's offense these days. Six points?
Seahawks at Chargers: Chargers lost their center for the year, that's worrisome. Seahawks are a lot scarier at home, but I don't think I'm using any Chargers this week. Would start Lynch and Harvin and Wilson.
Rams at Buccaneers: Gotta use Zac Stacy in the league I have Adrian Peterson. (Actually, it's my 9-year-old son's team. He drafted Wes Welker, that was a fun conversation. Now this. Great introduction to fantasy football for him.) I am not sure what to do with the Doug Martin situation, but I'd be looking for ways to avoid starting him. Stacy too. Not a great fantasy matchup in any respect. Best avoided.
Kansas City at Broncos: Go ahead and use Jamaal Charles. And all your Broncos. Even Wes Welker if his suspension gets lifted by the time you read this, which sounds likely. Charles has no line in front of him, but I'm not benching him.
Jets at Packers: I have Eddie Lacy in a league, and am not sure what to do. He's been cleared from his concussion and will start, but the Jets are really tough against the run. I could start him and sit down either Allen Hurns or Mark Ingram. Decisions, decisions. Anyway, love Green Bay's passing game here. Am using Chris Johnson in a league and would consider Ivory, because I think the Jets will be able to run. Until they get blown out. Which I think they will. (My suicide pool pick, thanks for asking.)
Texans at Raiders: I like Houston to move to 2-0 here. I remember last month looking at their schedule and thinking they'd start out OK. No MJD for Oakland, so Darren McFadden should lead the way, Latavius Murray No. 2. I'd consider McFadden in the unlikely event I had him in any of my leagues. There might be one where he wasn't even drafted, let me check. Nope, he was.
Bears at 49ers: The Sunday night game, and a killer for those with Alshon Jeffery and Brandon Marshall, both of whom are iffy. One of those guys almost has to play, but it's uncertain, and you'll have to decide without knowing for sure. Maybe pick up Santonio Holmes, then start him if the guy you were hoping to use isn't active. San Francisco looking good for a move to 2-0.
Eagles at Colts: Should be a really entertaining Monday night game. I like there to be lots of points for both teams. Foles, Luck, McCoy, Richardson, no just kidding, Bradshaw before Richardson, he'll be better, Maclin, Wayne, Ertz, Hilton. Can't wait to hear those ESPN guys spend the whole evening talking about just this game. Well, we can hope.
Again, feel free to post questions. I'll look in every several hours and try to answer them. Enjoy the games.
