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.
Any dog owners out there? Feel free to offer up solutions for a dog that barks to go out/get up too early in the morning. This time change stuff is killer. On the bright side, I'm up way too early and able to get this column onto your phone or computer screen extra quick. So there's that.
Titans at Ravens: My suicide pool, which started with some 50-60 people, is down to 4, and three of us picked the Ravens. Baltimore should be hacked off about their beatdown in Pittsburgh, and Tennessee's offense doesn't bring much to the table. I'm a little nervous about Baltimore losing cornerback Jimmy Smith for the season, so maybe Tennessee's passing game does a little more than you'd expect. Baltimore's offense, though, should be pretty good in this game.
Kansas City at Bills: Another likely defensive battle. I don't think Fred Jackson plays, and it doesn't sound good for Sammy Watkins, either. Don't think you can plan on using Watkins; find another option. Kansas City you've got Charles, obviously, and Travis Kelce, but that's about it. I guess if you needed to use Watkins you can pick up Robert Woods and try him. I'd avoid the running back committee. Both defenses look good!
Dolphins at Lions: Both defenses look good here, too. Miami's defense has played well but if I had Calvin Johnson I'd use him in his return. Golden Tate, too. None of the involved running backs look terribly appealing, especially if Detroit actually does go with a three-headed committee involving Theo Riddick. I dropped Ryan Tannehill to pick up Mark Sanchez (in a league where I'd added Tannehill to cover Brady and Rivers being on a bye). Never thought I'd use a waiver claim on Sanchez, but that's the kind of season it's been.
Cowboys vs. Jaguars across the pond: Tony Romo is back (no pun intended), and if he's my regular starter, I'd be using him. I am expecting a run-heavy gameplan, though. But they wouldn't put him out there if he were just going to hand it off and couldn't take any hits. Jags have a good pass rush, so it would be a dangerous game the Cowboys are playing if he isn't more or less OK. I like the ground games most, though, with interest in both Denard Robinson and (obviously) DeMarco Murray. Am using Dez Bryant and like both Hurns and Robinson. Witten should be good in PPR leagues.
49ers at Saints: People have written off the 49ers too soon in many years, but I think they'll lose this one and gradually slip out of the race. Two games with Seattle, and games at the Giants and versus San Diego that probably could go either way. I wouldn't want to use any 49ers in this game, really. I've got Mark Ingram in every league so I'm a little concerned by that questionable tag, but only a little. He's got to be out there, Saints don't have anything else. But I suppose I'll be checking the Sunday morning updates just to be certain. Travaris Cadet passing downs back, Edwin Baker would be the main runner, if Ingram can't go.
Steelers at Jets: The other person in our suicide pool went with the Steelers, which looks risky to me. Pittsburgh hasn't been as good on the road. Rumor around here has the Jets firing some people, including Rex Ryan, if the team loses this game. I think Chris Ivory, Percy Harvin, Eric Decker and even Michael Vick carry some value, though not as much as Pittsburgh's passing game, obviously. Yes I would (and am) using Martavis Bryant. Steelers defense, too.
Falcons at Buccaneers: Bobby Rainey is one of those guys I have on every team except for the one where I most need a running back. It's funny how that works out, just slipped through my fingers in that one league. That's one were I sadly trundle out Lorenzo Taliaferro and hope he falls into the end zone at some point. Anyway, Rainey should be huge in this game, and I like both sets of wide receivers, too. Don't agree with the switch from Mike Glennon to Josh McCown, but what do you know, Lovie didn't consult me. Falcons are a bad 2-6 team but sadly could actually win their next three, delaying the logical move to Devonta Freeman. I think I need to start him somewhere this week -- only in PPR, though.
Broncos at Raiders: Uh, start your regular Broncos starters. Don't use any Raiders except Mychal Rivera in PPR. Anything more need to be said? Didn't think so.
Rams at Cardinals: Considered the Cardinals for the suicide pool. Rams can't keep these upsets going with their talent-thin team. In this particular week I don't think their offense will do anything. At all. For Arizona, usual guys should be fine.
Giants at Seahawks: Seattle's defense is no longer to be feared, but there are still aren't many Giants to feel good about using. Odell Beckham Jr. has been great, so there's one. Seattle has struggled against tight ends. so Larry Donnell should be busy. Not a fan of Rueben Randle, not keen to use Eli Manning up in Seattle. Andre Williams shouldn't do much of anything. For Seattle, their offense should be pretty good. Lynch, of course, and then the Giants have some holes in their secondary. Will be surprised if New York is competitive here.
Bears at Packers: Have sunk a lot of trust into the Packers defense against Jay Cutler and Mason Crosby this week. Don't let me down, boys! Despite being down on Cutler I'd be using his main receivers and obviously love Forte no matter who they're facing. Martellus Bennett is the big question mark here. Sounds like he'll probably play, but I'd make sure I had another option, maybe a Packer or Eagle TE, just in case. Green Bay's offense should roll over a hurting Bears defense.
Panthers at Eagles: If you'd told me a year ago I'd be using a waiver claim, part of my blind bidding allotment, and an ounce of trust in Mark Sanchez in an important Week 10 game in a money league, I'd have said you were crazy. So maybe I'm the crazy one. But Carolina's defense isn't good and Sanchez is the starting quarterback for a high-flying offense, so what the hey. I'm using him and would start the usual receivers. Carolina's offense should also be OK but the usual rules on Carolina running backs (they'll disappoint you if you try to start one of them apply). So, good luck! And,
enjoy the games.
--Andy Richardson
