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.
So in the wake of the Thursday night game, I kind of feel bad for the Jets, who really have had a ridiculously unfair schedule to start the season. I mean, I suppose the schedule LOOKS unfair when so many teams are better than you are, but to go Rodgers-Cutler-Stafford-Rivers-Peyton-Brady right in a row is kind of difficult. Mostly, though, I feel good for me, since a Patriots loss would have knocked me out of my suicide pool. And I feel glad I didn't make the mistake of starting Brandon Bolden.
Now we're on to Week 7, and not to scare anyone, but if your roster is thin or your record is iffy, you really need to win these next two weeks. Because in both Week 9 and 10, six teams are on byes, and that's going to be brutal to a lot of rosters. OK, on to the games.
Falcons at Ravens: Steve Smith says he's quitting Twitter. Man, if I had a dollar for every time I said I was quitting Twitter or Facebook, well, I'd have a lot of dollars. It's easy to say and easy to feel that way, but hard to stay away. Where else am I going to find out what Disney character I'm most similar to? Ravens offense should be very good in this game, because Atlanta's defense is poor. Ryan and Jones are the only Falcons where you say, this guy should definitely be in my lineup. No Harry Douglas, again.
Vikings at Bills: Bills are very good against the run, but I'm starting Jerick McKinnon somewhere anyway. Sammy Watkins and Fred Jackson are the other guys to consider. Trade rumors mention C.J. Spiller, but I'm not sure there's anything to them. Certainly his value would go up freed from Buffalo. Cordarrelle Patterson will maybe have another good game at some point, but won't be in lineup when it happens.
Dolphins at Bears: Bears offense looks fine, especially passing it. Nice feature on Matt Forte in the new Sports Illustrated. Or maybe it's just a recent one; I honestly never know for sure, I don't pay that close attention to the dates on these things and seldom read them when they first arrive. Anyway, good story! Lamar Miller should be a full-time guy, the main wideouts for each team look good.
Saints at Lions: Evidently Jimmy Graham might play some. I'm benching him, but if he's active and you're in a TD-only league, you have to consider him. No Calvin Johnson, almost certainly. The over-under on this game implies a shootout, but I don't see it. Detroit's defense very good and Johnson and Graham either missing or limited. I like Reggie Bush here against his former team. Oh yeah, no Eric Ebron, either. I have Mark Ingram in several leagues but figure I've lasted without him this long, I can wait one more week, since the matchup is very tough and I'm now sure how much he'll play. But he's healthy and if your other option is really sketchy, go ahead. I could use him in a standard league over McKinnon, but the rankings say no.
Panthers at Packers: This game figures to have a lot of points, and I'm using every key starter. Need to make sure Benjamin (concussion) is active, but it sounds good. Jonathan Stewart looks to be featured for Carolina, but I am tired of getting burned by Carolina running backs week after week, year after year.
Bengals at Colts: It kind of looks like the Colts are the better team in this game, which is surprising to me. Cincinnati's defense has slipped and their offense is down a couple of receivers. Should be a good game with some points scored by both teams; I'm not shying away from using anyone healthy.
Browns at Jaguars: Cleveland's offense should be good in this game. Jacksonville won't have Toby Gerhart, so you can consider Storm Johnson. I know the Jags also have Denard Robinson, but watching their last game it seemed like they've decided Robinson is just a change-of-pace, situational type of guy. Anyway, I would use Storm in some leagues, because Cleveland can be run on. And Cecil, Allen Robinson, and Clay Harbor. For Cleveland, Cameron and Tate. Maybe more points in this game than you'd expect.
Seahawks at Rams: My son drafted his first-ever fantasy team this year. His first eight or so picks included Adrian Peterson (suspended), Mark Ingram (hurt), Stevan Ridley (hurt), Wes Welker (suspended), Percy Harvin (traded), and Kyle Rudolph (hurt). A rude introduction to the game. My major reaction to the trade is 1, it's gotta be a drag for Harvin to go from Seattle to the 1-6 Jets. And 2, it's a typical Jets move to bring in a locker room problem with some idea it will help them on the field, when they're 1-6. Harvin's young so you can say it's a move for the future, but his contract seems prohibitive beyond this year unless he really produces. Which seems unlikely in New York. Back to Seattle, who should run the ball a ton, and guys like Kearse and Baldwin will see more passes. I am avoiding Rams running backs, Quick and Jared Cook are the only guys I consider for the Rams.
Titans at Washington: Charlie Whitehurst starts for the Titans. He's not any good, but Delanie Walker should be able to overcome him. Washington I like Morris, Reed, and DJax, to a lesser extent Garcon. Two bad teams here. Both defenses have some spot-start value.
Kansas City at Chargers: Jamaal Charles should be very good here. I think Kansas City has a chance at the upset, Andy Reid teams I know have done very well coming out of byes, and San Diego is a very good but not dominant team. Rivers and Branden Oliver are the easy starts for San Diego. Disappointing year for Keenan Allen, maybe this is the week. Both games last year were high-scoring.
Giants at Cowboys: Another probably high-scoring affair. Dallas has been impressive but their defense is still soft and the Giants should be able to move the ball. Would consider Andre Williams, Randle and Odell Beckham. Typical Cowboys in lineups.
Cardinals at Raiders: At a quick glance, I'm not sure when the Raiders will get that first win. Their next three home games are against good teams (Arizona, Denver, Kansas City), and their road games at Cleveland, Seattle and San Diego will probably be losses. I know they almost beat San Diego last week. This game, I think Jones, Holmes and McFadden all merit some consideration; they played well last week, Arizona's defense has some holes. For Arizona, all the regular starters look good.
49ers at Broncos: Can the 49ers slow down Peyton Manning? If any team can, they should be one of them. Not that I'd be betting on it. Denver's defense is probably better than San Francisco, but I am using 49ers receivers and Kaepernick, too. Not Frank Gore. Ronnie Hillman, sure. I tried to trade Montee Ball before he got hurt, but it didn't happen, and now it won't. As for Peyton Manning breaking Brett Favre's touchdown record, I'm not feeling much drama here. Maybe I'm sad because Favre was my favorite player, maybe it just doesn't feel like a big deal since it's been a given for a few years and Favre's career ended only yesterday (or that's how it feels to me). I don't know. Anyway, Manning will probably do it here, good for him.
Texans at Steelers: Another primetime game for the Texans. Pittsburgh's defense is bad, and I'm not really buying Houston's defense being particularly good. Foster, Johnson, Brown, Bell, those guys are all in lineups. Two teams on the outskirts of wild-card contention in the AFC, though not an overly compelling game. No injuries of note; maybe we'll get to see Jadeveon Clowney play a game before getting hurt again.
Enjoy the games.
--Andy Richardson

