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 think this happens every year: you see a lot of players getting hurt in Week 12 and 13, and they're suddenly out for the year, or there's no real idea when they'll return. Justin Hunter, Miles Austin and Brandon Marshall are all out for the year. Kendall Wright and Andre Ellington are unlikely to play this week. Larry Fitzgerald is iffy. DeSean Jackson. On and on.
Not suggesting, by the way, that anyone is shutting it down because their team is eliminated. Hunter and Marshall would be done for the season with their injuries no matter when they got hurt. Collapsed lung; you don't tape that up and get back out on the field. It just seems maybe the wear and tear of the season really catches up to teams around now. And the league wants to expand the schedule to play 18 regular-season games! OK, sure.
Steelers at Bengals: The big mystery here is how to handle the Bengals' running backs. I think it will be a fairly even committee against a mediocre defense, so I'd consider both Bernard and Hill (and am using Bernard in a PPR league). Cincinnati has defended the pass well, so I'm avoiding Martavis Bryant and Heath Miller. Nothing else of note here; no one should be sitting down Bell, Green or Brown, and few have better options than Roethlisberger (although I don't expect him to have a big game).
Colts at Browns: I'd rather use Dan Herron here but agree with Ian's theory, discussed in the Mailbag, that Indianapolis will give Trent Richardson a few extra chances in this particular game. I will say that it annoys me when Richardson talks about payback or whatnot, being motivated and stuff. The Colts gave up a first-round pick for you; didn't you have enough reason to be motivated already? Haven't you already been running hard? Whatever. I'm not starting either back and expect the Colts to win comfortably with Luck leading the way. For the Browns, we've got to wait to see if Crowell is playing before considering West. Use Gordon, obviously, not sure about Cameron until tomorrow.
Buccaneers at Lions: I like Detroit's offense but don't love it, what with Tampa Bay having played better of late. However, there's the potential of the Bucs mailing one in, after all their tough losses; coming out and going through the motions. So I am using Stafford, and Megatron is a Super League starter for me. The only Bucs to consider are Evans and VJax, and not too highly, but Tampa Bay definitely won't do anything on the ground.
Texans at Jaguars: Arian Foster and DeAndre Hopkins, yes. Andre Johnson and Denard Robinson, less confident. Texans D. I think I'm rolling the dice on Allen Hurns somewhere given how soft Houston's secondary has been, but Jacksonville has three different players who could be No. 1 wide receivers in this game -- Hurns, Shorts, Lee. Risky counting too much on any of them, but sometimes you have no choice.
Ravens at Dolphins: Ravens don't have Ngata, helping Lamar Miller. Baltimore's pass defense has been soft lately, giving some value to Mike Wallace, but really, you can't trust this offense. Charles Clay uncertain to play. Justin Forsett the best option for either team. Am thinking this is a 23-20 game.
Jets at Vikings: If you've seen any Jets games this year you know what their offense is all about, so Chris Ivory or Chris Johnson are the only players to consider. It's Percy Harvin against the team that drafted him, but that's an angle only to play if you're desperate. I have no idea how the Vikings will use their three available running backs and won't be recommending any of them. I am starting Kyle Rudolph, though, in two different leagues. Good option there, and maybe Charles Johnson, but that's about the lot I'd consider.
Panthers at Saints: Kelvin Benjamin, yes, Cam Newton, maybe, Johnathan Stewart should be featured, but Panthers running backs always let me down and at some point I have to blame myself if I use them, not them. For the Saints I have Mark Ingram starting and like the main cogs in the passing game, Brees-Graham and even Colston-Stills. Saints have lost three straight at home, so tough to assume an easy win, but Carolina is pretty bad.
Giants at Titans: I love this every four years matchup, since I can make all those great Giants! Titans! A titanic battle between giants! A giant clash of titans! jokes. Maybe they're not that funny. Anyway, it's not a big game between these big teams. Nate Washington, Delanie Walker and Bishop Sankey all look good. Andre Williams if Rashad Jennings is ruled out, Jennings if he's playing. Beckham Jr. of course. And, that's everyone.
Rams at Washington: Tre Mason and Alfred Morris are the main players to consider in this game. I would/am using them. Shaun Hill does get a nice matchup, but I can't really see hinging your Week 14 hopes on Shaun Hill. Stedman Bailey, though, maybe. Jordan Reed yes. The big question is DeSean Jackson, and my guess is he either won't play or will be limited, and I'm avoiding him.
Kansas City at Cardinals: I picked up Stepfan Taylor, who's starting, but mostly did so to avoid having him used against me. Taylor and Grice should split the work and I don't want to have to count on either one. In general we're not looking at a slugfest here, so don't use Taylor over just anyone. Kansas City has Charles and Kelce and little else.
Bills at Broncos: Facing Peyton Manning in an important league, not a good feeling. Broncos won't be able to run much, but I'd use Anderson regardless. No interest in anything connected with Buffalo. Julius Thomas, uh, if you're going to use him, have another option in a late game just in case. Doesn't sound like he'll be available, or if he is he might be limited. Sammy Watkins should be out there but I don't want to use him against Denver.
49ers at Raiders: Dust off Frank Gore and he should be fine in this game. Latavius Murray, the matchup is tough but he should get most of the work. "Should," but this is the Raiders, so who really knows. They've got some creaky veterans to wheel out there, too. San Francisco defense and maybe Anquan Boldin. Might be the last win of the Jim Harbaugh era, they're at Seattle and host the Chargers and Cardinals the last three games. Giants and Jets fans are already talking about getting Harbaugh to New York next year.
Seahawks at Eagles: Philly's defense hard to get a handle on; sometimes it plays well, sometimes it gets shoved around. I am using Russell Wilson and hoping it pays off, and would do the same with Marshawn Lynch if I had him anywhere. Very tough matchup for the Eagles offense, but I think if you have McCoy you use him and cross your fingers. Maclin, who will see a lot of Sherman, is a dicier prospect. If you follow our rankings, neither Maclin nor Sherman will be in your lineup.
Patriots at Chargers: Neither defense is particularly stingy so you can use the starters you usually use. I can't predict how the Patriots will use their running backs; well, I can, but not with confidence. I think Blount is the best choice, Vereen second. Main Chargers should be fine; game should be good. I won't underestimate San Diego after their impressive win in Baltimore.
Falcons at Packers: If you've got an important game this week, you hope you're not facing any Packers. If you've got any Packers, you should be starting them. For Atlanta, avoid Roddy White, who's either not playing or playing hurt. Imagine if the Falcons win a slugfest, it's not that far-fetched. But realistically it's more like 31-20 Packers, and Green Bay puts a lot of people into the next round of the playoffs.
Enjoy the games.
--Andy Richardson
