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.
Greetings, and welcome to another year of 24 Hours 'Til Sunday. For those who are new, here's the deal: I write these brief previews, and am willing to answer lineup questions between now and Sunday morning, checking in every so often. In general, I will adhere to the FFI Rankings; sometimes players are very close, or there are judgment calls regarding injuries, and I may operate more conservatively or aggressively than someone else. If I don't have a strong opinion, I may say, Go with the Rankings.
Today, I've got a Fall baseball doubleheader and a birthday party sleepover for a little girl. So it may be tonight before I check in to answer questions. But I will check in to answer them. OK, let's go.
Colts at Bills: If I had LeSean McCoy anywhere, I'd use him. I have to trust that if he were really in poor shape, he wouldn't be playing. No noteworthy Colts injuries, but it's a tough defense they're facing. I'd use the starters (Luck-Gore-Hilton-Andre-Allen) but to me it's not the time to get cute with Fleener or a No. 3. Sammy Watkins is the only other Bill I'd use (well, and their defense), and as it happens I'm benching him for a similar option.
Packers at Bears: Cobb isn't 100 percent but I'm all in on Packers offensive players. Bears D won't be good. Alshon Jeffery and Eddie Royal are both questionable. With Royal I'm not concerned; Jeffery I am a little. I'll sit him if I have a comparable option. One of those situations where I'm checking the Sunday morning reports and inactives just to make sure he's good to go.
Kansas City at Texans: Maclin, Kelce, Hopkins, Blue, Charles, the defenses. I believe that's it for this game.
Panthers at Jaguars: Not many appealing fantasy prospects here. Cam Newton, Greg Olsen, Jonathan Stewart, maybe Allen Robinson. I have Denard Robinson in a couple of leagues and will patiently bide my time until T.J. Yeldon plays his way out of the lineup.
Browns at Jets: Both running backs look good. Crowell's matchup is tough but he should get the most work. Wouldn't want to chance Duke Johnson in Week 1. I like Brandon Marshall more than Eric Decker but think both should be fine. Jets are a pick in our Survivor Pool (formerly Suicide Pool), which I'll reference every week until we get bounced. Browns receivers, ho ho, good one.
Seahawks at Rams: Picked up Benny Cunningham during the week and he's likely starting for the Rams, and for me. He's not going to go all Marshall Faulk on anyone, but let's say he rushes for 50-60 yards and catches 4 passes for 40 yards or something. That'll do. For Seattle, Wilson-Lynch-Graham, maybe Baldwin, and that be it.
Dolphins at Washington: Washington's defense looks poor, especially against the pass. Not a Kirk Cousins fan and do like the Dolphins D, but there may be some chances for the main Washington receivers to get catches and yards. Am starting Jordan Reed everywhere because, hey, he's healthy now, may as well take advantage while we can. No interest in Alfred Morris running against what I think will be a good Miami defensive front. Lamar Miller should be OK, though I think Washington will be best against the run. Tannehill and Jarvis Landry look fine.
Saints at Cardinals: Thinking Arizona's defense slips a little this year, and for that reason am OK using the Saints' key players. New Orleans has secondary issues and I've got John Brown going in multiple leagues. Michael Floyd, maybe he plays. I wouldn't use him. Khiry Robinson has some PPR value in the C.J. Spiller role.
Lions at Chargers: Steer clear of Ladarius Green, iffy with a concussion. Keenan Allen and maybe Stevie Johnson in deeper leagues; they should catch most of the passes. Lions, like Stafford and the wideouts, and I'm plugging Ameer Abdullah into lineups everywhere; I believe. He should catch plenty of passes. Joique Bell, sure, most of us can't be too choosy with starting running backs. But I like Abdullah more, this week and going forward.
Ravens at Broncos: Justin Forsett and C.J. Anderson should both be very busy. Broncos starting wideouts and Steve Smith Sr. are in lineups. Kind of like Owen Daniels. Broncos D. No injury issues of note.
Bengals at Raiders: Both running backs look fine to me. We've been very high on Hill, and I am rolling the dice on Latavius Murray in a couple of leagues. No point sitting them here. A.J. Green and Amari Cooper, you bet. Tyler Eifert, if I had him anywhere, which I do not; I think I kind of lost him on my draft board, because I do like the guy this year.
Titans at Buccaneers: Interesting matchup of rookie quarterbacks -- interesting, but not one I want to touch fantasy-wise. Mike Evans banged up, Lovie Smith untrustworthy, I would avoid if I could. Vincent Jackson seems OK, Kendall Wright and Delanie Walker. Titans running backs, no thank you. Doug Martin, sure. Titans defense in a pinch.
Giants at Cowboys: Probable shootout. Giants defense will be bad. Cowboys defense I am not optimistic about, despite several readers trying to change our minds. If I had to start a Dallas back it would be McFadden, but fortunately I do not. Dez, Terrance, Witten, Odell (duh), yes. Randle with Cruz out, sure, but to be clear I don't think much of Randle. But somebody has to catch passes when Dallas' entire defense is swarming around Beckham.
Eagles at Falcons: Strange things happen in the NFL all the time, but if this isn't a 38-31 type of game I'll be very surprised. Zach Ertz shouldn't be used this week. Roddy White should be OK. Julio and Jordan and Bradford and Ryan should be awesome. I supposed I'd use Tevin Coleman if I had him anywhere; Devonta Freeman will apparently play but should be in a secondary role coming off a hamstring injury. Fun game to watch.
Vikings at 49ers: Great to have two NFL games on a Monday night, but this thing starts at 10:20 p.m. here on the East Coast, and I'm already deep into writing text for Week 2. It's just too late. I like the Vikings offense and think Adrian Peterson in particular will be huge. Charles Johnson and Kyle Rudolph look fine, too. For San Francisco, Carlos Hyde is the only player I would have drafted anywhere, and I'd go ahead and give him a shot in Week 1. But expectations should be modest; it will be Reggie Bush once San Francisco falls behind. Which they probably will.
Again, feel free to post questions, and I'll answer them by tomorrow as best I can. And, enjoy the games.
--Andy Richardson
