Every Saturday morning, I'll take a quick look at all the week's games, offering my own brief 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.
Raiders at Ravens: So, I'm benching Philip Rivers, in a playoff game, for Lamar Jackson. In the first place, he's ranked a lot higher. In the second place, I need the upside after Michael Thomas and Alvin Kamara went bust for me Thursday night. I'm also starting Gus Edwards. So hopefully the Ravens rush for a bunch of yards and touchdowns and they're the guys doing it. Pass on the receivers. For Oakland, uh, I will not be recommending the use of any Raiders in this game.
Jaguars at Bills: This should be a low-scoring game, and the starting running backs are about all I'd recommend. Certainly no Bills receivers, and Jacksonville isn't bringing much to the table. Do you ever wonder what if the coaches had a phone call before the game and just agreed, We're going to run the ball on every offensive play, let's see who wins. Anyway, both defenses have value. No DJ Chark, not that anyone is starting him (I would hope).
Seahawks at Panthers: Doug Baldwin (groin) didn't practice all week. I'm not using him. I am interested in David Moore, if Baldwin is inactive. Not a great matchup for the ground game, and usage for Seattle backs varies from week to week. Carolina won't have Devin Funchess, making DJ Moore and even Curtis Samuel more appealing.
Browns at Bengals: Doesn't sound like A.J. Green will be available. Other Bengals wideouts should be better, although that it hasn't how things have gone in other Green-less games; Dalton has just struggled. Fortunately, not a great defense he'll face, but I'd like him more if had Green. I'm using Nick Chubb happily and would use Joe Mixon.
Patriots at Jets: So there's some question over the health of some key Patriots players. Notably Tom Brady. I expect him, Michel and Gronkowski all to play, but you can never be 100 percent sure with New England's injury reports. But Brady probably isn't sitting out with an illness, and those others should be fine, too. I don't expect the Jets and their Josh McCown-led offense to do well in this game. Robby Anderson is iffy and can't be used with much confidence he'll be healthy.
Giants at Eagles: I had kind of thought the Giants would spring the upset here, but that might be pushing it. It's still a bad line and immobile quarterback that should have problems with this pass rush. But I think they'll manage some production, even if it's all short passes, given Philadelphia's injuries in the secondary. Philadelphia, well, they really looked bad at New Orleans. But they're home, it's a lesser pass rush, and maybe that Saints defense is better than it was earlier in the year. Anyway, I'm using the main skill players on both teams and feeling good about it. Josh Adams has potential.
49ers at Bucs: I'm comfortable using key offensive players on both teams, and indeed am. No Pierre Garcon, so some deep league appeal for Kendrick Bourne. Matt Breida looks good. I'm using Peyton Barber. And yes on Jameis Winston, who should be slinging it around as usual. I don't want to get crazy; this isn't Rams-Kansas City. But neither team has a very good defense.
Cardinals at Chargers: So yeah, Melvin Gordon is questionable. Last time there was some concern over whether he'd play, he sat out the win over the Titans. So you need to have a backup plan (this is a late afternoon game), like Austin Ekeler or somebody in another late-afternoon game. Tyrell Williams also questionable. Chargers should win, but they should have beat the Broncos last week, too. As noted, I'm not really high on Rivers here. David Johnson, sure. Larry Fitzgerald OK.
Dolphins at Colts: Ryan Tannehill should be good to go. Dolphins also should have DeVante Parker, Danny Amendola (questionable) and Kenny Stills as their three main wideouts against a soft pass defense. But still, it's Tannehill, and I think they'll go conservative, run Frank Gore a ton, and hope to sneak away with a win. But won't, the Colts should score plenty and win big. I like Mack, Hilton, Ebron and Doyle, and of course Luck.
Steelers at Broncos: Steelers skill guys are healthy, and they should be decent -- but I'm not expecting huge numbers on the road against a credible Broncos defense. For Denver, Phillip Lindsay the best bet. Emmanuel Sanders OK. Pittsburgh missing end Stephon Tuitt, helping the Denver offense.
Packers at Vikings: So Jimmy Graham is apparently going to play with a broken thumb. I don't completely understand this. I wouldn't use him, but I guess some might not have a better option. Otherwise, skill guys are healthy. I'm using Aaron Rodgers in a league despite the tough matchup.
Titans at Texans: Thrilling Monday night game? Not so much. But there's Deshaun Watson, he's fun to watch. I want no part of Tennessee's offense. Seems Marcus Mariota will start, but might not be 100 percent and might be at risk of a setback. Wary of Corey Davis. In my dynasty league this week, Tajae Sharpe and Taywan Taylor were both dropped. Preferences? Let me know. Houston's offense, I would favor Keke Coutee after Hopkins.
Enjoy the games.