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.
Thinking about big early leads or deficits this week, the ones that can be overcome, and the ones that probably can't. If you started or faced T.Y. Hilton on Thursday, you're up (or down) 37 points in a points per reception league. It's only one player, but that's pretty hard to overcome. I think if you're up, you stay the course and go with the lineup you were going to use. If you're down, maybe you take a couple of chances on guys who might hit it big.
The other big thing to think about is injuries, with an unusual number of big-name players and even medium-name players hurt. I'll try to touch on all of them, let's go.
Patriots at Bills: New England got it together against Cincinnati, do they keep it going here? Buffalo's defense pretty good, and tough to run on (so no Ridley for me). I'd use Shane Vereen and Julian Edelman, but am benching Brady for Rivers. Sounds like Fred Jackson is good to go. Sammy Watkins will see a lot of Darrelle Revis. I like Gronkowski here.
Panthers at Bengals: No A.J. Green, so Mohamed Sanu and Giovani Bernard should be the main receivers. Maybe desperation option in larger leagues is Brandon Tate, but it's a longshot. Panthers have struggled on defense so presumably Cincinnati leans on the run, though it's still pretty bold to use, say, Jeremy Hill. Carolina's ground game, well, maybe Jonathan Stewart plays. I really wouldn't recommend any of their backs, including Stewart even if he's active. Greg Olsen questionable, so make sure he's active.
Steelers at Browns: No injuries of note here. Offenses are healthy, defenses missing some players, but the earlier meeting was a high-scoring game anyway, so no reason to shy away from receiver and running backs here. Ben Tate, LeVeon Bell, Antonio Brown, even both quarterbacks, these are guys you can use. I picked up Markus Wheaton somewhere, surely he'll have a good game at some point. Browns favored, which doesn't happen very often.
Packers at Dolphins: A friend the other night was surprised Green Bay was favored in this game. I'm not, I like the Dolphins pass rush, but not much else. I don't know if Knowshon Moreno will play or not, that's the key issue here. If he does, I'd be a little nervous using Lamar Miller, though I still think Miller plays more in this game. Be easier if Moreno is simply held out for one more week. Green Bay's passing game should be good although the pass rush will probably get some heat on Aaron Rodgers.
Lions at Vikings: Detroit's defense very good, though I have to use Jerick McKinnon somewhere, alas. The one league where for some stupid reason I left Branden Oliver out there on waivers until this week, and somebody had priority and got him. Careless, the problem of too many teams. For Detroit, Joique Bell, Golden Tate and Matthew Stafford are the guys to use, maybe Eric Ebron. No Megatron or Reggie Bush. Am using Jarius Wright in one PPR league but he's still the third receiver and not a great choice. Maybe the Vikings get Cordarrelle Patterson going, but I'm not using him until they do.
Broncos at Jets: I never pick road teams in suicide pools, but this week I am. I hate to do it, but the home teams available to me look a lot worse. I would use absolutely zero Jets in this game. For the Broncos I'd use everyone starting. Maybe some miracle occurs and the Jets make it competitive with special teams scores or a long run by Chris Ivory, but I wouldn't touch them.
Ravens at Buccaneers: The game with a lot of players you don't really want to use. Ravens running backs, Tampa running backs, Ravens receivers. Steve Smith and Vincent Jackson are pretty much it. Doug Martin should get most of the work at tailback, Justin Forsett should be the Raven back to play the most. Not too appealing though.
Jaguars at Titans: The Titans will probably go with Charlie Whitehurst and Bishop Sankey in this game. Whitehurst, who I only recently heard referred to by the nickname Clipboard Jesus, classic, isn't any good, but he's not necessarily a huge downgrade from Jake Locker, so I'd still use Delanie Walker and probably Kendall Wright. Sankey, of course, becomes an appealing option, since he has to be better than Shonn Greene and should get most of the work, so I'd use him (albeit with modest expectations) if I had him. Jaguars will probably give most of the work to Storm Johnson. Again, I wouldn't necessarily want to gamble on him, but I don't want to gamble on Jerick McKinnon, either, but sometimes you have no choice in deeper leagues where running backs are hurt and it's either him or some committee back in Baltimore. Jaguars receivers should all be avoided since it sounds like they'll all be out there.
Chargers at Raiders: Love Branden Oliver here. The opportunity, the matchup, the interest I've had in him since the exhibitions all aligning. Chargers main passing game components also of interest. For the Raiders, uh, there's really nothing to see here. Just nothing. James Jones was dropped in a league of mine and no one has picked him up yet, and he's their No. 1.
Washington at Cardinals: Arizona's defense is really hurting and got torched by the Broncos last week, but I'm still not sure I'd use a lot of Washington players. Alfred Morris, sure, their main wideouts, maybe. Jordan Reed might play, but that's been the case for a while. I've been holding on to him but will probably go with Heath Miller again this week. For the Cardinals, Drew Stanton has been cleared so it will probably be him starting. That's good news for everyone connected with Arizona's offense. I'm using Ellington and would use the main wideouts, too.
Bears at Falcons: Schwing! Lots of yards and points in this game. I'm starting any Bears. Starting any Falcons except for Harry Douglas, who is out, and their crowded running back committee.
Cowboys at Seahawks: I would not sit DeMarco Murray or Dez Bryant, but every other Cowboy can reasonably be benched for somebody in a better matchup. For Seattle, I am going with the idea that Percy Harvin will get a few extra chances to score this week after his ridiculously bad luck last week. I won't rule out the Cowboys winning (short week for Seattle, Dallas surprisingly good this year), but wouldn't bet it, either.
Giants at Eagles: Lots of trash talk before this game. It's a big game and a good one. Both offenses should be pretty good and offhand there's no typical starter I'd avoid here. I wouldn't get too crazy about using the rookie wideouts for either team, but few can consider sitting down, say, Andre Williams. More offense than defense.
49ers at Rams: Am sitting on Benny Cunningham in one league, and would use him if I knew Zac Stacy wouldn't play. I have Vernon Davis on a bench, too. Most likely, though, I'll be avoiding all these guys because of the uncertainty. I like Frank Gore, I'd use Brian Quick. Otherwise I'm staying away from the Rams offense, and expect the 49ers will run more than pass. Not a game I'll be glued to Monday night, to be honest; expecting a workmanlike San Fran win.
Enjoy the games.
--Andy Richardson
