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.
I don't think I'm alone in thinking Week 12 is way too late for bye weeks. They really can't put together a schedule that gives us all 32 byes by Week 10? This is a playoff week in FFPC and some RealTime Fantasy Sports money leagues (yes, including mine) and Antonio Brown and LeVeon Bell, among others, aren't available. Plus I don't get to use a lineup spot on a soul-crushing running back like Jonathan Stewart or DeAngelo Williams!
Browns at Falcons: This is one of those strange matchups that seems particularly unusual in the NFL. These teams meet? Even crazier, one or both of these teams could actually win their division. I'm all in on Isaiah Crowell and even, yes, Steven Jackson in this particular matchup. And I do think given the matchup and Cleveland's dearth of good receiving targets, Josh Gordon should be fine. I don't know about some projection I saw yesterday where he was the No. 2 ranked wide receiver of the week, but I think I like him a little more than Ian. If you've actually been holding onto him all season long, I wouldn't leave him on the bench for some marginal type guy. Better matchup in both cases for ground games, though.
Buccaneers at Bears: Like both offenses here, especially Chicago. Bucs have listed their non-Rainey running backs as questionable, which means both Sims and Martin aren't even certain to be active. Chicago worse against pass than run, though. Bucs bounced me from a suicide pool last week (I split most of the money so no biggie), which means they'll probably go back to their losing ways now. Mike Evans kind of has to be started, I think.
Bengals at Texans: Another game with a lot of playoff implications, since both teams are in the divisional and wild-card hunts. Arian Foster iffy, making Alfred Blue a potential star. Remember Foster saying he'd be fine after injuring his groin -- two weeks ago? Ignore what players say about their own health, they're full of it. For the Bengals, it's a Bernard-Hill timeshare. If I had both I'd be using Bernard in PPR and Hill in other formats. Although Hill might be safer regardless.
Jaguars at Colts: Facing Andrew Luck in the playoffs, so I hope he lets the ground game dominate. But the ground game is Trent Richardson, and he hasn't dominated any opposing defense since being drafted. No Dwayne Allen; if you have other Colts players, you're using them. Denard Robinson is the appealing Jaguar, some deeper-league appeal from the wide receivers. If like me you got burned on Kyle Rudolph last week, you're not too eager to put Marcedes Lewis into a lineup. Although I'd rather have used him than Mychal Rivera and his one 8-yard reception on Thursday. It was him or Jordan Reed for me, what could I do.
Packers at Vikings: Sort of like Jerick McKinnon (with no Matt Asiata). Some interest in Charles Johnson, but it sounds like Greg Jennings and Jarius Wright will suit up to stand in his way. If you need my help to start Packers offensive players (except for tight ends), you need help.
Lions at Patriots: Shane Vereen and Joique Bell are the running backs I'd use. Both passing games should be fine. I'm debating Edelman versus Boldin versus Steve Smith in PPR. Rankings say Boldin against Washington's bad secondary. Can I let Edelman burn me one more time? Tricky. Opinions welcome.
Titans at Eagles: Titans could have kept me alive in that suicide pool by just finishing the job against Pittsburgh. Sigh. But I knew their run defense was bad, and as a result I'll sign off on both McCoy and Sproles this week. Not really keen to start Mark Sanchez, but would use Maclin certainly. Eagles struggle against the pass but hard to get excited about Titans wideouts. Sounds like Delanie Walker will return, so he's a yes.
Rams at Chargers: With the St. Louis defense playing better, most offensive players in this game for both teams are to be avoided. I'm not using Rivers, I am not crazy about Mathews, I think Antonio Gates is the best Charger. The Rams, uh, maybe Tre Mason, because you've got to start starting running backs in most leagues. Not buying on Kenny Britt or Jared Cook. This game has 20-17, tops, written all over it.
Cardinals at Seahawks: Speaking of defensive struggles. I think you can use Andre Ellington in PPR leagues, I know I am, but it's a little nerve-wracking. Can't risk Larry Fitzgerald. Tough to bench Marshawn Lynch, but if you start him, just concede you're not likely to get much out of him; hope he scores. Russell Wilson's rushing potential makes him a guy to use, but probably won't have big numbers. Just a rough game to count on much offense from.
Dolphins at Broncos: Sounds like Emmanuel Sanders will play and Julius Thomas won't. If that's how it plays out, have Jacob Tamme ready if you can, Miami has been poor against tight ends the last couple of years. C.J. Anderson good option. Lamar Miller hurting and facing a tough run defense. I don't like Miami's offense here at all. No Charles Clay, either. Dolphins have surprised in some games, but I see them losing this one badly.
Washington at 49ers: Washington offense a mess anyway, and a tough matchup here. DeSean Jackson boom or bust; otherwise, forget it. I don't like Alfred Morris here. Jordan Reed out again, so Niles Paul a spot-start. Am considering Boldin and I suppose same applies to Michael Crabtree.
Cowboys at Giants: Should be a fun and fairly high-scoring game. Defenses aren't very good, lots of viable starts. Like Odell Beckham and the obvious Cowboys. Rashad Jennings should be OK, too. Weather supposed to hold off until later, but something to keep an eye on in the morning.
Jets versus Bills in Detroit: The venue change hurts the Bills but keep in mind they won big at the Meadowlands just a month or so ago, so it's not like they need homefield to pound the Jets. New York could have a hard time running the ball in this game, and they usually have a hard time passing the ball. I think Percy Harvin in PPR looks OK, but wouldn't want to use anyone else, really. Bills, I'd use Fred Jackson and definitely Sammy Watkins.
Ravens at Saints: This is a good and highly fitting Monday night encounter, where big games will be decided by breakout, fantasy MVP type players like Mark Ingram and Justin Forsett. I hate the matchup but am using Ingram everywhere I have him, one because he's having a big year and should get most of the carries (Pierre Thomas may return as passing downs specialist), two because like most of us in competitive leagues we don't have a lot of choice. Brees and Graham, I think, are the only other sure things this week.
Happy very early Thanksgiving, and enjoy the games.
