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.
What follows is a brief look at all the games with how I'd react in my own lineups to injury developments or other news. The official rankings are the ones in the Weekly. Those are the ones that subscribers are paying for. Sometimes players are very close in the rankings, and if I get questions like that, I'll offer opinions. Sometimes I like certain players more or less than Ian, and sometimes I have different risk tolerance with injuries/weather issues, etc. OK, on to the games.
Saints versus Dolphins in Jolly Olde England: Another 9:30 a.m. game. Jay Ajayi is apparently fine, and since he and the rest of his teammates are facing the Saints, they're basically great. Willie Snead may return but he may not (hamstring); nobody should be using him, and I don't think I'll downgrade other receivers until I actually see him on the field.
Bills at Falcons: Thinking this could be a higher-scoring game which is why I have a lot of Falcons going in daily leagues; Ryan, Jones, Sanu as a cheaper option. No noteworthy injuries. Atlanta is a popular Survivor pool pick.
Steelers at Ravens: I think even I'm tired of Steelers-Ravens games, but I'd much rather this be the Sunday night game than what we get instead (Colts-Seahawks, really?). I think you use Bell and Brown but avoid other Steelers, and I can't feel good about using any Ravens at all. Sounds like Benjamin Watson will play, at least, so there's some PPR or at least FFPC (1.5 TE receptions) value there. Would be great if this were shockingly a 35-31 game, but we can predict a score of 23-20 and probably be pretty close to correct.
Bengals at Browns: The Bengals should be very good in this game, although there have been occasional surprises in this series. As dart throws go, I am wondering if this is the week Joe Mixon has a big game; he got most of the work last week and the matchup is friendly enough. Bengals don't have Tyler Eifert, but interesting that nobody has even picked up Tyler Kroft in my dynasty league where TEs get 1.5 per reception. Bengals defense makes it into a few lineups for me.
Rams at Cowboys: This was my 2nd-favorite Survivor pick -- Ian seemed very confident in the write-ups -- though I'm a little nervous about Sean Lee being out for the Cowboys. That's a boost to Todd Gurley, although I can't imagine anyone having the option of sitting down Gurley (plus he's coming off a 37-point game). Elliott, Bryant, Prescott, Witten; key Cowboys look good. Sammy Watkins recovered and viable, although I wouldn't expect the Rams offense to have the kind of performance they had in San Fran. But they look like an NFL offense, which is progress.
Titans at Texans: Should be a good game and an important NFC South battle. I picked up Deshaun Watson this week and am using him over Jameis Winston and Philip Rivers, Titans defense doesn't seem to offer a lot of resistance. Will Fuller will play, Corey Davis won't, my son is asking me why I had him pick up Davis in a league this week. Once he's healthy, son, he'll be a good option. Anyway, like the key starters here. Tennessee's running back committee makes Derrick Henry a dicier option.
Lions at Vikings: These teams have played a lot of lower-scoring games the last few year and I'm expecting more of the same. Not shying away from Dalvin Cook, Stefon Diggs, Adam Thielen or Golden Tate, but I like them better in PPR than more TD-dependent leagues. Sitting Marvin Jones but not giving up on him, just waiting for a better matchup.
Panthers at Patriots: No Rex Burkhead, so it's a similar backfield to last week. Patriots don't seem to have much of a defense, so maybe Carolina gets something going. But hard to be excited about any of parts of this offense. Thought about McCaffrey in PPR, although maybe the Patriots decide he's the playmaker they need to focus on. I do think it's possible the Panthers get something going here, but would be a surprise if New England doesn't win by double-digits.
Jaguars at Jets: Had pretty much written off the Jets defense a week ago so was very surprised by them shutting down the Dolphins. Still not convinced it's a good defense and would consider Lee, Hurns and Fournette. For the Jets, no Forte, making Powell a cheap, intriguing option in daily leagues. Elijah McGuire will also play, but Powell should be the main guy. Pass on Jets receivers against Jaguars secondary, I don't think they'll win many of those battles.
49ers at Cardinals: Carlos Hyde is the big question mark here. I have Hyde in a league and really want to use him, but it sounds like there's a real chance he's not available. I'm not willing to use backup Matt Breida, so I'll probably switch to a different flex option if it sounds like Hyde won't play. (Tricky part if my best alternative is Ingram, whose game kicks off 7 hours earlier.) Anyway, nervous about Hyde. Arizona's offense looks good, I mean, such as it is. I don't think you can really trust any of the running backs, however. So yeah just Palmer and Fitzgerald. Both Brown wideouts will play some, but might share that role.
Eagles at Chargers: I think Wendell Smallwood is main Eagles back and Melvin Gordon fine for Chargers. I think Philip Rivers and main receivers should be OK, lukewarm on Eagles passing game. Surely Chargers will get that first win at some point. Rewatched the end of Eagles-Giants; what an incredible win. Giants punted with 17 seconds left, and it was a 28-yarder. 10 more yards and Eagles take a knee and go to overtime, and who knows. Back to this one; I think it might be relatively high-scoring. Hunter Henry won't take another zero, that I'm confident about.
Giants at Bucs: Bucs are without several starting defenders. I thought even before that the Giants would win this game, and now feel even better about it. I don't know how much the line has moved (from Bucs being favored by 3-4 at start of week) but really like the Giants passing game here. Considering Shepard and Engram and even Eli. Giants running game, forget it. Cut Orleans Darkwa this week even knowing he might be the Week 5 starter in this offense. Giants aren't going to be able to run this year and I'm never going to want to start Darkwa, or Perkins.
Raiders at Broncos: Michael Crabtree questionable with a chest injury, just making it easier not to use Crabtree. Broncos defense very tough at home, as outlined in the Weekly, so best to stay away. Not fond of anything Raiders here. Like both Denver wideouts and C.J. Anderson, maybe even Trevor Siemian in a spot start (but most will have better options).
Colts at Seahawks: Evidently it's too early in the season to flex a bad game out of the Sunday night spot. You know the league had to have been thinking about it, though. I'm not sure even with Andrew Luck available this would have been an enjoyable game to watch. I have Doug Baldwin in a league and picked up Paul Richardson. As I write this I'm planning to start Richardson, who's not as good but a safer bet for a full complement of snaps (and could be great if Baldwin can't go). Love Chris Carson here, dropped Thomas Rawls this week. Don't make me angry, Pete Carroll. I do not want to use any Colts, but I understand using T.Y. Hilton if you have him.
Washington at Kansas City: Decent Monday night game. Lot of respect for KC defense, especially at home, so be wary of using Washington players. I like Chris Thompson best of the running backs, even with his lesser snaps. Not really buying Washington's defense against Oakland, so I'd be fine using Tyreek Hill, and nobody needs help starting Hunt or Kelce. Kansas City's good and should score plenty.
Enjoy the games.