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.
So, two games to preview, Ravens-Steelers and Broncos-Kansas City. No just kidding, I'll take a look at all of them, including the ones that start mere hours from now. I will do my best to answer ranking questions between now and then, as well. Here we go.
Dolphins at Bills: No noteworthy injuries. Expecting running from both sides. Would play Sammy Watkins and Jarvis Landry, and believe Jay Ajayi will have a good game.
Falcons at Panthers: Julio Jones is off the injury report and in lineups. I suspect he might have played last week had it not been a home game against lowly San Francisco. Carolina has some fight left so I'd be fine using Newton, Stewart, Olsen. I'm using Taylor Gabriel, even with Jones back.
Washington at Bears: Whether or not Jordan Reed plays (sounds like not, or at least not fully if he does) he's not playing for me. Running backs looks best here, but Washington receivers are also viable. Weather not supposed to be an issue. For the Bears, lots of receivers involved, Jeffery and Meredith best.
Chargers at Browns: Given the matchup, I'd give Kenneth Farrow another chance. Not over just anyone, but I think he'll be better than he was last week. After getting burned by Isaiah Crowell last week I'm benching him, albeit for another shaky option (Jeremy Hill). Like Philip Rivers and his main receivers, though there are a bunch involved and I think Gates will get the most goal-line looks.
Vikings at Packers: No Adrian Peterson, and probably not a lot of fight from the Vikings, so I'm starting Aaron Rodgers and would use other key Packers - Ty Montgomery, Jordy Nelson, Davante Adams. Not Randall Cobb. I guess Stefon Diggs, who should play, but not crazy about anything Vikings.
Titans at Jaguars: Lots of running from the Titans, though I'm not bold enough to use Derrick Henry. Jaguars don't have Allen Hurns, like it matters. Matchup is good but hard to get too optimistic about Jaguars passing game. Gotta move the ball somehow, so you can consider Robinson and Lee, but hard to hinge the Super Bowl on either.
Jets at Patriots: I think Bilal Powell is about the only Jet you can trust. As opposed to the Patriots, for whom pretty much everyone looks good. I like Dion Lewis best of their backs this week, LeGarrette Blount a close second (maybe 1st in standard scoring).
Colts at Raiders: This should be a higher-scoring affair and I won't be surprised if the Colts win. Luck and Gore and Hilton all look good. I am willingly signing off on Raiders wideouts, even though Amari Cooper has been disappointing. Donte Moncrief has the TD potential, but yards tend to get spread around.
49ers at Rams: A week to use Todd Gurley, though I remember thinking that back in Week 1. Some appeal with Kenny Britt, but difficult putting faith in Jared Goff. Same applies to San Francisco passing game. Thumbs up on Carlos Hyde.
Bucs at Saints: Should be a higher-scoring affair. You probably noticed QBs and receivers high in our rankings. At running back you've got committees for both teams, including Sean Payton's strange fondness for Tim Hightower. I hope he goes to the Rams in the offseason, might benefit Mark Ingram.
Cardinals at Seahawks: I am cool on Arizona's passing game, comfortable using Seattle's (because Arizona doesn't care that much beyond getting a few numbers for David Johnson. Larry Fitzgerald will play hard, but Carson Palmer in Seattle, not encouraging. Hard to trust Thomas Rawls, but he should be fine in this one. Starting running backs for likely winners don't grow on trees.
Bengals at Texans: Some injury concerns. Lamar Miller isn't expected to play, so Alfred Blue should be the main back and has some spot start appeal (though others will be involved). A.J. Green, apparently, is not fully healthy; he'll probably play, but I'm wondering if he'll only get the 36 yards he needs for 1,000 and then get a seat. I don't entirely trust him. No Tyler Eifert. UPDATE: It is now being reported that Green will NOT play.
Ravens at Steelers: Using regular Steelers and Steve Smith Sr. Steering clear of the Ravens running back committee. Should be a good game, shame they have to play on Christmas. Football is family?
Broncos at Kansas City: Broncos have the great defense, but I think you have to use Tyreek Hill if you have him, based on the previous encounter. Denver's passing game looks promising, that's where their best players are (at least the two main wideouts). Should be a good game to tune in tomorrow night.
Lions at Cowboys: Game discussed at length elsewhere on site. I think the Cowboys will play hard to win even though they don't need to. Detroit won't have Theo Riddick but otherwise looks healthy enough.
Enjoy the games! Have a great holiday weekend, too.