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 most critical point of the fantasy season. Too bad it's also when it's hardest to field a team because of all the injuries. And weather becomes a major factor for many games. Let's get to the previews, with me again pointing out that the official rankings are the ones in the Weekly; if my opinions differ from them on occasion, well, it's because I sometimes like certain players more or less than Ian, or because I have different risk tolerance with injuries/weather issues, etc. Good luck in your playoff games.
Dolphin at Jets: This game is being played tonight. As I sit here looking out my New York window, it's snowing; it's supposed to change to rain. I'm sure they'll have the field in decent shape, but probably more running than passing. I'm also going to go out on a limb and say if you're in the playoffs you're probably not relying heavily on Jets or Dolphins players. Best choices are Jay Ajayi for the Dolphins (not Matt Moore) and Bilal Powell for the Jets -- IF we find out Matt Forte is inactive. If he's playing, you run some risk of not getting as much from either Jet back as you're hoping for. So let's see if he's active before counting too firmly on Powell.
Eagles at Ravens: I think the Ravens should have won up in New England; they're good. So at home against a rookie quarterback, they're going to win this game by a good margin, and Carson Wentz and company will struggle. So I want nothing to do with any Eagles; maybe Ertz and Matthews (two Ts). Like the Ravens, though rainy weather might be a factor. Steve Smith Sr. and Kenneth Dixon look like the best prospects.
Browns at Bills: Pretty straightforward: running games yes, passing games no. If you must, Sammy Watkins, since the Browns are awful against the pass, too. But I'd rather be using McCoy and Crowell and that's about it.
Packers at Bears: So it's apparently going to be the coldest game in Chicago football history or some sort of Biblical proclamation. When you factor in the wind chill. So although Aaron Rodgers carried me to a runnerup league finish and currently the No. 2 spot of the FFPC Footballguys Consolation Leaderboard, I am benching him for Philip Rivers. Rodgers has a hamstring injury and although that's not a major worry (I don't think) that combined with the weather makes me thinking Green Bay wins this game by a lower-scoring one. And just maybe the Bears rise up and make their season by ending Green Bay's. Jordan Howard and Ty Montgomery look best.
Steelers at Bengals: Those of us blessed with LeVeon Bell last week now need to fret that maybe he'll disappoint this week. Can't get 51 points every game, after all. But ideally he'll still do well 'cause he's great and other players will step up. I'm benching Jeremy Hill, and the only passing game component I'd really want to use would be Eifert and Antonio Brown. No A.J. Green; next week. He probably wants and deserves the 36 yards he needs for 1,000.
Jaguars at Texans: Weather won't be an issue, so there's that. But Jacksonville's offense hasn't done a lot, it will use a committee at running back, and last week was definitely the last week this season I'll trust Allen Robinson (especially because that team got bounced, thanks Allen). Lamar Miller looks fine. Maybe the Texans will do the smart thing that the Colts failed to do against them last week and run the ball.
Titans at Kansas City: Gonna be really cold for this one, which will probably be offensive numbers down. DeMarco Murray looks great and Travis Kelce, Spencer Ware and Tyreek Hill are viable Kansas City players; I'm using Hill, again, hoping he has another week or two of all-purpose goodness in him.
Colts at Vikings: Adrian Peterson returns. I'm not crazy about starting him but unwilling to bet against him, either, so Jerick McKinnon and Matt Asiata can't be used. For the Colts, Frank Gore looks like the best prospect. I don't have T.Y. Hilton and suppose I'd use him if I did, but it's definitely a tough matchup. Minnesota's pass rush should cause problems for Andrew Luck and company. No Donte Moncrief.
Lions at Giants: This should be a colder game, maybe rainy, and probably low-scoring even in good conditions. No Theo Riddick, Lions wouldn't run the ball anyway. Golden Tate and Eric Ebron look like the best Lions. For the Giants, I'm using Odell Beckham Jr. and hoping he catches a long touchdown. Otherwise, I'd kind of steer clear of this one if at all possible.
Saints at Cardinals: My Drew Brees teams got bounced last week, and I doubt he's a lot better in this tough matchup with a Cardinals team that has a lot of disappointment going on but should still play hard. Good defense, and the Saints use a committee at every position and don't play as well on the road. Was looking at the goal-line rushing numbers the other day. Tim Hightower has carried 5 or 6 times from the 1-yard line and hasn't scored on any of them. Maybe not a good coaching move to use him in those situations? Just saying. Michael Thomas returns, probably the best wideout. I like the AZ passing game, specifically Palmer and Fitzgerald. Flyer on J.J. Nelson, sure.
49ers at Falcons: Carlos Hyde is the San Francisco player to use. Risky counting on Colin Kaepernick but there is some garbage time upside. For Atlanta, big thumbs up on both running backs, Ryan, Gabriel and Sanu. Spot start their defense for sack potential.
Patriots at Broncos: So you benched Tom Brady against the Ravens and he had a huge game. Now you're wondering if you dare bench him again for somebody like Philip Rivers. I say yes. But if you don't feel good about it, hey, we've still got Brady as a top-7ish option, so what the hey, just go ahead and use him. If one guy is ranked 3rd and one 6th and you like the lower one more, go for it! These are projections -- not recaps. I do think LeGarrette Blount looks fine and both Broncos wide receivers. Julian Edelman the most appealing Patriots receiver.
Raiders at Chargers: Weather should be nice and passing games should be productive. Couple of questionable receivers for the Raiders but assuming they'll play (just check those inactives in case). I think Kenneth Farrow is a nice option, should get most of the work, but I do suspect San Diego will pass more than run. Putting my money where my mouth is too, with lots of shares of Philip Rivers.
Bucs at Cowboys: Back-to-back Sunday night games for the Cowboys? Hopefully they won't let everyone down this week. I do like their offense, despite the Bucs playing better defense of late. Bounce-back for Bryant and Ezekiel Elliott is Elliott, nobody is benching him. For Tampa Bay Mike Evans is the only appealing option. Running backs should be avoided. Not the most compelling Sunday night game, but I guess there are lots of playoff implications.
Panthers at Washington: Maybe Carolina rises up to the role of spoiler and has a great offensive game. But more likely, since I picked up the Washington defense, they stumble around again and Washington wins easily. I like the passing game better than the ground game for Kirk Cousins and company. Tricky issue is at tight end. Jordan Reed reportedly looked better in practice this week after playing only 10 snaps last week. If so, we've ranked him too low and Vernon Davis too high. But a leap of faith is required if you count on Reed. I'm going to see what the afternoon and Sunday morning reports indicate. I know I'm a little nervous counting on either player, but the matchup is great.
Good luck to all in playoff matchups. I'll check in to answer questions a little today (between shoveling shifts) and probably more tonight and early tomorrow morning. Enjoy the games.