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.
It's the last full week of games, and I realize most people don't have fantasy matchups. Even those of us in dynasty leagues largely watch these games hoping one of our players doesn't suffer some kind of long-term injury. But the games will be played, so here are a few notes about each one.
Saints at Falcons: I don't think there will be much defense played in this game. Neither team has much of one. Brees, Ryan, Freeman, Hightower, Jones, Cooks; bring 'em on. Willie Snead has a shot at 1,000 yards.
Jets at Bills: Big game in the AFC. I'm thinking the Jets will take care of business; wanting to play spoiler only goes so far. The Bills don't have a great defense, and the Jets are good at stopping the thing Buffalo does well. But it's a divisional rivalry in Buffalo, so you never know. And I'll concede much of America would probably rather see the Steelers in the playoffs. LeSean McCoy is out and Bilal Powell is questionable but not expected to play, a plus for Chris Ivory, who should be more involved in passing situations.
Lions at Bears: This game might not have quite as many points as I was initially expecting, with Chicago even more shorthanded than normal. No Alshon Jeffery or Eddie Royal. Check to make sure both Matt Forte and Zach Miller are active, since they're both questionable. Forte should play, I'm a little nervous on Miller.
Ravens at Bengals: Who do the Ravens have left to play this game? Javorius Allen, Terrance West, Kamar Aiken. Bengals, after blowing a win in Denver the other night, need to play to maybe get a bye, but they can't be feeling overly confident that somebody they need to lose will lose. But they'll play their starters, and there will be some viable starters for them. Baltimore's defense has played tough of late, but they've got to be thinking offseason at this point. Just hard to know which Bengals back to use, it's an even committee. Tyler Eifert returns.
Steelers at Browns: Browns offense shouldn't do a whole lot. Barnidge, Benjamin. But it's Austin Davis at quarterback, so you'll be tapping into a pretty low-level passing game. Not appealing. Pittsburgh should be fine but no getting around their offense hasn't done as much on the road as it should have this season. Could be a workmanlike 20-10 type of win. Martavis Bryant questionable, but sounds like he's fine.
Washington at Cowboys: Washington shouldn't use anybody and the Cowboys don't have anybody. There's Darren McFadden for Dallas and...Pierre Thomas? Definitely don't use Jordan Reed or DeSean Jackson, it would be idiocy for Washington to put those guys on the field.
Jaguars at Texans: Funny situation for the Texans. On the one hand there's pretty much no way the nine games that would need to go against them for them to lose the division will actually go against them. On the other hand, it's POSSIBLE, so they have to play everyone to win, because you can't risk blowing the division, 3,000-to-1 odds or not, because you didn't do your job. Hopkins, Hoyer I think, maybe Nate Washington are all viable guys. Alfred Blue probably the lead back. For Jacksonville, no T.J. Yeldon, but I'm kind of disgusted at the way Denard Robinson disappointed the last two weeks, so I think Jonas Gray is the better bet for rushing production, Robinson only in PPR formats. And Jags passing game fine, albeit tough matchup.
Titans at Colts: Comical reading the Indianapolis papers stories about the Colts' quarterback situation. Practice squadders and street free agents that nobody has wanted to have on their roster all season, and one of them will be starting for Indianapolis. I like Frank Gore because the Colts should/will run him into the ground. What else are they going to do? Stay away from the wideouts, Hilton included. The Titans offense of course looks terrible anyway. Delanie Walker is the beginning and end of players to consider.
Patriots at Dolphins: No Julian Edelman, but it sounds like Danny Amendola should play (although again, make sure he's active). It should be a run-heavy game plan behind Bolden and Steven Jackson. Not that most will sit down Brady or certainly Gronkowski, but I can think of a bunch of quarterbacks I'd use in daily games over Brady. I guess you consider LaFell and Keshawn Martin (if Amendola sits), but New England should run a ton and play defense here. For Miami, forget it. Landry in PPR, that's about it.
Eagles at Giants: Shocking about Kelly being fired. I just read a story in the Boston Globe with Belichick sticking up for Kelly, saying a lot of the players who complained about him and are gone aren't doing anything else elsewhere. I guess he's not counting DeSean Jackson, Jeremy Maclin and LeSean McCoy, who have all been better than Philly's replacements. Whatever. Won't be a lot of defense in this game, but I don't think the offenses will be too fired up to end on a high note or whatever. Eli Manning and Odell Beckham Jr., yes, and I suppose Will Tye and maybe Randle and Jennings. We speculated the Giants could look at young running backs, but NY papers seem to think Tom Coughlin won't be back next year, so I doubt he's thinking about taking a long look at Orleans Darkwa. Eagles, maybe they'll feature Mathews or Murray? Tough to know, it's not like any of those coaches will be back next year, either. Jordan Matthews is probably the only Eagle I'd want to use, maybe Zach Ertz.
Seahawks at Cardinals: Cardinals offense should be great. John Brown is 42 yards away from a 1,000-yard season. Arizona has to think it's possible Tampa Bay knocks off Carolina, so may as well go all out. I can see David Johnson getting less work (can't afford to get him hurt just on the chance of the Carolina losing at home), but would still start him. Seattle, I want no part of. No way Russell Wilson plays much of this game.
Buccaneers at Panthers: Crazy the Panthers go from a run at an undefeated season to needing to win just to secure homefield. They have little choice but to play hard and get their win. For Carolina, though, Jonathan Stewart and Ted Ginn Jr. aren't going to play, so the remaining players (like Cameron Artis-Payne and Philly Brown) look better. Bucs, you can use Martin (outside shot at rushing title) and Evans.
Chargers at Broncos: Broncos have to win to secure a bye, so they'll play hard. Chargers should get up for this game but Denver defense pretty tough at home, and San Diego doesn't have many healthy players. Avoid San Diego, go ahead on C.J. Anderson and the wideouts.
Raiders at Kansas City: Kansas City needs to try to win the division, but they can't be optimistic about Denver losing. I think they'll play starters as long as they have to. Oakland good against the run, not as much against the pass, so you'll be fine with Maclin and Kelce and probably West (who should catch a few passes). Not a great matchup a lot of offense, however.
Rams at 49ers: The only player you'd actually want to use in this game, Todd Gurley, is in a walking boot and listed as doubtful. So, not an ideal situation to use anyone. Unclear which running back the 49ers will lean on.
Vikings at Packers: I know winning the NFC North and getting a home playoff game and all is important to the bottom line, but I ask you, would you rather play your first playoff game at NFC East champ Washington, or be at home against the Seahawks? No disrespect intended to Washington, but I think the loser of this game has a better chance of winning in Week 18. I know how the earlier game went but I suspect the Vikings can win this game. They just seem better. Adrian Peterson looks primed for a good game. Aaron Rodgers and the Packers just haven't really played well, except for their win in Minnesota a little while back. An important game I guess, but the winner gets no favors in a likely matchup with the Seahawks.
Enjoy (?) the games.